Over 150 exclusions from lists 1 and 2 of Section 301 China tariffs are set to end Oct. 2, after the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative did not include them in two recently released notices of exclusion extensions. In its notice on List 1 exclusions, USTR granted extensions to nine out of the 96 exclusions listed in U.S. Note 20(x) and filed under tariff schedule subheading 9903.88.19. USTR's notice on List 2 exclusions announced extensions to 28 out of the 113 currently listed in U.S. Note 20(y) and filed under subheading 9903.88.20.
The Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act, a preferences program that includes special provisions for textile and apparel imports, is scheduled for a vote in the House later this week. The program is set to expire Sept. 30.
Over 300 exclusions from Lists 1 and 2 of Section 301 China tariffs are set to end Sept. 20, after the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative did not include them in two notices of exclusion extensions released Sept. 17. In its notice on List 1 exclusions, USTR granted extensions to 62 out of the 310 exclusions listed in U.S. Note 20(q) and filed under tariff schedule subheading 9903.88.14. USTR's notice on List 2 exclusions announced extensions to 17 out of the 86 currently listed in U.S. Note 20(v) and filed under subheading 9903.88.17.
The day before Canadian countermeasures were to begin in response to 10% tariffs on Canadian non-alloyed, unwrought aluminum, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced it will end the Section 232 tariffs, retroactive to Sept. 1. The 10% tariff on the subsection of aluminum imports went into effect Aug. 16.
Four companies and an “training center” in the Xinjiang region of China will be subject to withhold release orders, CBP said Sept. 14. Despite some expectations otherwise, the new WROs don't apply to Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, which would have amounted to a more “regional” approach by the agency. CBP is still looking at broader restrictions on cotton, textile and tomato products from the region under a WRO, but is undertaking further “legal analysis” on the issue, Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Kenneth Cuccinelli said during a call with reporters.
CBP is apparently working on a regulatory change that would eliminate the $800 de minimis exemption for goods subject to Section 301 tariffs. The agency on Sept. 2 submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a proposed rule titled, “Excepting Merchandise Subject to Section 301 Duties from the Customs De Minimis Exemption,” according to OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs website. OMB’s reviews are the final step before publication of a rule, and include an interagency review. CBP did not immediately comment.
Over half of all exclusions from list four Section 301 China tariffs are now set to expire Sept. 1, after the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative did not include them in a notice of extensions released the day before their slated expiration. In the notice, USTR granted extensions until Dec. 31 to only 87 of the over 200 list four exclusions published to date. That leaves over 100 exclusions to expire on schedule.
The change in marking requirements for products from Hong Kong doesn't subject the goods to tariffs meant for goods from China, CBP confirmed in list of frequently asked questions posted to the agency's website Aug. 12.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative released an updated list of goods from the European Union to be subject to Section 301 tariffs as part of the dispute settlement at the World Trade Organization over Airbus subsidies. The changes will take effect on Sept. 1, it said.
Goods produced in Hong Kong will need to be marked as a product of China starting Sept. 25, CBP said in a notice. The marking changes are the result of the July 14 Executive Order that ended Hong Kong's special trade status.