The Federal Maritime Commission last week dismissed a charge complaint against Mediterranean Shipping Company lodged by SOFi Paper Products after MSC refunded SOFi for a congestion surcharge that allegedly violated U.S. shipping regulations. The FMC also determined no violations "of the Shipping Act were proven in this proceeding."

An academic and a think tank scholar agreed that, despite the upcoming visit between the EU president and the U.S. president, they don't expect the global arrangement on steel and aluminum negotiations to conclude by their Oct. 31 deadline.

The Bureau of International Labor Affairs, or ILAB, is asking for comments on its recent report on the worst forms of child labor; its list of goods produced by child labor or forced labor; and on Comply Chain, advice for importers on labor compliance. Comments are open until Dec. 15. Comments may lead to the department updating the list, and will be used in preparing next year's report. For the Comply Chain comments, ILAB is asking for "information on current practices of firms, business associations, and other private sector groups to reduce the likelihood of child labor and forced labor in the production of goods."

The Energy Department is adopting new energy efficiency standards for dedicated purpose pool pump motors, it said in a Sept. 28 final rule, which is effective Nov. 27. The compliance date for the new standards varies by motor size, with compliance required for motors with a total horsepower less than 0.5 by Sept. 29, 2025; total horsepower between 0.5 and 1.14 by Sept. 28, 2027; and total horsepower between 1.15 and 5 by Sept. 29, 2025.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is issuing a final rule reclassifying the relict darter (Etheostoma chienense), a fish species that occupies the Bayou de Chien stream system in western Kentucky, from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The listing includes a 4(d) rule for this species that prohibits importation and exportation without a permit. The rule becomes effective Oct. 27.

The International Trade Commission recently released Revision 11 to the 2023 Harmonized Tariff Schedule, which extended the dates of subheadings 9903.88.67 and 9903.88.68 through Dec. 31. Both subheadings cover product exclusions from Section 301 tariffs. The 67 subheading covers a variety of pumps, actuators and other mechanical appliances of Chapters 84, 85, 86, and 90. The 68 subheading covers a variety of medical devices.

The Drug Enforcement Administration is proposing to list ethylphenidate, a central nervous system stimulant, under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, it said in a notice published Sept. 22. “If finalized, this action would impose the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, reverse distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis, or possess) or propose to handle ethylphenidate.” Comments are due by Nov. 21.

Taiwan-based carrier Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. violated the Shipping Act by not providing agreed upon space, charging "extracontractual prices and surcharges” and charging unfair detention and demurrage fees, Bed Bath & Beyond said in a recent complaint to the Federal Maritime Commission. Bed Bath & Beyond is seeking reparations for the "injuries" caused by Yang Ming, telling the FMC that it may have been subject to more than $700,000 in unfair charges.

A think tank with roots in libertarianism that now supports a carbon tax warned that members of Congress who want to pass a carbon border adjustment tax without a domestic carbon tax face more than just litigation at the World Trade Organization.

Jane Hartley, U.S. ambassador to the U.K., this week said the U.S. could do more "smaller" things to develop the trade relationship with the U.K. rather than tackle a broader free trade agreement. The "time frame of the political calendar," more so in the U.S. than across the pond, and broader challenges, both policy-wise and temporally, may restrict the development of a larger deal, she said during an interview with Bloomberg TV.