On March 1, 2024, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) officially announced the initiation of a new factfinding investigation into the global rice market. The investigation, titled “Rice: Global Competitiveness and Impacts on Trade and the U.S. Industry” (Investigation No. 332-603), was requested by US House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means Chair Jason … Continue Reading
In a February 5, 2024 letter to the US International Trade Commission (ITC), US House of Representatives Ways & Means Committee Chair Jason Smith (Republican-Missouri) requested that the ITC conduct a Section 332 investigation into the global rice market. The ITC will institute the investigation in the coming weeks, and it could be the first … Continue Reading
On February 10, 2020, US President Donald Trump unveiled his Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Budget Request, detailing the administration’s policy and programming priorities for the coming year. The President’s proposal continues themes raised in past years, including prioritizing foreign assistance for US allies, such as those in the Indo-Pacific and African regions, and prioritizing strong … Continue Reading
China’s insatiable appetite for vitamins and supplements is pumping billions of dollars into the Australian economy, with thousands of online shoppers snapping up products from leading Australian and New Zealand brands Blackmores, Swisse Wellness, Vitaco and Bellamy’s. Baby formula exports have become a lucrative business, thanks to the end of China’s one child policy and … Continue Reading
The Obama Administration released its 2016 Trade Policy Agenda this week, detailing its trade priorities for the year ahead. Next week, President Barack Obama will welcome Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to the White House, where the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal is one topic expected to be on the agenda. The Senate Finance Committee hosted … Continue Reading
President Barack Obama signed the customs bill and Judicial Redress Act into law last Wednesday. In addressing U.S. state governors early last week, the President expressed optimism that Congress may act this year on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal. Congress held a number of oversight hearings last week related to the Administration’s budget request. The … Continue Reading
Over 600 million people – 70% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) – lack access to electricity, stifling social and economic development. The US Congress recently passed the Electrify Africa Act of 2015, a bipartisan measure that President Obama will soon sign into law. The Act is designed to encourage US and international development organizations to … Continue Reading
Major trade negotiations in two parts of the world have the potential to greatly benefit the chemicals industry in the coming years. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement eliminates tariffs in key Asia Pacific markets, including several countries with which the United States does not yet have a preferential trade relationship. At the same time, the US … Continue Reading
TPP – Agreement Signed; Warnings of a Slow Congressional Process. After the Thursday signing ceremony in Auckland, New Zealand, Ambassador Froman said the United States is developing a “full implementation plan” to make sure developing countries, such as Vietnam, uphold their obligations. At a Tuesday meeting with President Obama, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) … Continue Reading
The Senate was in session last week, while the House of Representatives (“the House”) remained in recess in observance of the Martin Luther King holiday. Implementation Day of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran took effect, as did a prisoner swap last week. Washington’s attention then quickly shifted to an impending historic … Continue Reading
