On May 26, 2020, the US Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced that it would accept comments from the public on the Section 232 exclusion process, including regarding factors considered by agency officials when rendering decisions on exclusion petitions, the efficiency and transparency of the current process, and potential revisions to … Continue Reading
Since taking office in January 2017, President Trump has made use of several provisions of US law – including Section 301, targeting unfair trade practices, and Section 232, targeting threats to national security – to bring trading partners to the negotiating table. Major developments over the last two weeks could impact global supply chains across a wide range … Continue Reading
The US International Trade Commission’s (USITC) investigation in Certain Carbon and Alloy Steel Products, Inv. No. 337-TA-1002 was instituted to investigate alleged violations of Section 337 by the Chinese steel industry based on claims of trade secret misappropriation, false designation of origin, and antitrust violations.… Continue Reading
President Barack Obama will travel to Chicago on Tuesday, 10 January, to deliver his farewell address to the nation. U.S. businessman Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States on Friday, 20 January. Trump Transition News – Confirmation Hearings. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tennessee) has … Continue Reading
Excess Steel Capacity – Global Forum Launched. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman issued a statement welcoming the formal launch of a global forum to address excess steel capacity on 16 December, saying: By establishing this forum, the United States and our trading partners have demonstrated a resolve to address … Continue Reading
The USITC’s investigation in Certain Carbon and Alloy Steel Products, Inv. No. 337-TA-1002 was instituted to investigate alleged violations of Section 337 by the Chinese steel industry based on claims of trade secret misappropriation, false designation of origin, and (atypically for a 337 proceeding) antitrust violations. While the first two claims are proceeding to trial, the … Continue Reading
In May, the ITC instituted its investigation of Certain Carbon and Alloy Steel Products, Inv. No. 337-TA-1002, based on alleged violations of Section 337 by the Chinese steel industry, including antitrust, false designation of origin, and trade secret claims. On November 14, however, the presiding administrative law judge (ALJ Lord) granted respondents’ motion to dismiss … Continue Reading
In May, the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) instituted its investigation of Certain Carbon and Alloy Steel Products, Inv. No. 337-TA-1002, based on alleged violations of Section 337 by the Chinese steel industry, including antitrust, false designation of origin, and trade secret claims. As we reported in a previous blog, however, ALJ Lord determined, … Continue Reading
Singapore – Official Head of State Visit. On Tuesday, 2 August, President Obama and Prime Minister Lee met in Washington to discuss bilateral relations between their two countries. The White House released a joint U.S.-Singapore statement detailing cooperative efforts to: (1) support robust economic cooperation and commercial connectivity and drive innovation; (2) enhance security and … Continue Reading
G-7 Leaders’ Declaration. The G-7 Leaders’ Declaration issued on Friday from Ise-Shima, Japan, touched on topics such as the global economy, trade, maritime security, cyberspace, anti-corruption, infrastructure, global health challenges, climate change and female empowerment. The Leaders advocated TPP member states ratify the agreement, while also addressing the global excess steel capacity issue, government subsidies … Continue Reading
TPP – ITC Report Released. Late Wednesday afternoon, the ITC released its report on the effects of the proposed TPP on the U.S. economy. The nearly 800-page report examines specific industry sectors in the United States and seeks to ascertain which would benefit or suffer from the deal. U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman immediately issued … Continue Reading
TPP Developments – Prospects for Congressional Action Dim. The hostile political environment toward trade continues to dim the prospects that Congress would likely move this year on a bill to implement the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Both leading presidential candidates – Mr. Trump and Secretary Clinton – have stated their opposition to the TPP deal. Secretary … Continue Reading
Peter Koenig will discuss trade policymaking, antidumping and countervailing duty issues at the North American Ferroalloys Conference, a new event sponsored by AMM that aims to convene the entire steel supply chain, provide opportunities for networking and facilitate vital business connections in the industry. The three-day conference will take place at Eaglewood Resort & Spa located … Continue Reading
Global Steel Crisis Examined. U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker co-chaired a two-day hearing last week on the global steel crisis, where U.S. lawmakers called for a better way to prevent foreign suppliers from flooding the U.S. market with subsidized steel. While chairing the first day, Ambassador Froman stated that the … Continue Reading
Global Steel Crisis. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the Commerce Department will hold a joint hearing on 12 April that will focus on global steel overcapacity, just ahead of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) steel committee meeting next week on the same topic. TPP Developments – Trying to … Continue Reading
U.S. Treasury Secretary Defends U.S. Sanctions. In a speech at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on 30 March, Treasury Secretary Lew defended the United States’ use of sanctions, noting they add “concentrated and meaningful pressure on governments abusing their own populations.” While acknowledging sanctions are a tool not to be used lightly, Secretary Lew … Continue Reading
