The Canadian Ombudsman for Responsible Enterprise concluded that Dynasty Gold, a mining firm headquartered in British Columbia, allowed Uyghur labor transfers to its joint venture in Xinjiang during 2017-2020, and that such forced labor "may continue to persist" at the Hatu mine in Xinjiang.

China opened a case at the World Trade Organization against the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act's rules for electric vehicle subsidies and "other measures," the nation's Ministry of Commerce announced March 26, according to an unofficial translation.

A European Parliament committee this week approved an updated version of new EU-wide supply chain due diligence rules that represent a narrower version from the original proposal but would still require certain companies to conduct specific due diligence on their supply chains to address various environmental and social concerns.

American, Canadian and Mexican customs brokers and freight forwarders are urging Canada to rethink its upcoming deployment of a new customs management system in two months, saying they’re concerned the country’s current approach could significantly disrupt trade.

USDA said that Product of USA labels -- which continue to be voluntary -- only apply to products derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the U.S. (see 2403130053).

Members of the European Parliament this week disagreed on the best path forward for new EU-wide supply chain due diligence rules, although an official with the Belgian presidency said it believes the EU can reach a compromise before the end of the current parliament’s term in April.

China criticized a proposed U.S. rulemaking last week that could lead to new import restrictions on Chinese-made cars, calling the announcement a “typical protectionist approach that will disrupt and distort the global economy.”

The Canada Border Services Agency is expecting "movement" on a bill that will prohibit goods from Xinjiang from entering Canada, Stephanie Briere, the director of commercial programs for the agency, said at a North Country Chamber of Commerce webinar on Feb. 29. S-204, first introduced in November 2021, would ban imports that were manufactured or produced wholly or in part in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China.

EU member countries this week couldn't agree to new rules requiring companies to conduct specific due diligence on their supply chains to address various environmental and social concerns, including forced labor risks (see 2312150057) and 2202230073).

Mexican Economy Secretary Raquel Buenrostro said in Mexico this week that if the U.S. reimposes 25% tariffs on Mexican steel exports over alleged surges, Mexico will retaliate. Mexico's steel exports are only 2.5% of the U.S. market, and U.S. steel exports are 14% of the Mexican market, so the U.S. has more to lose if Section 232 tariffs on Mexican steel return, she said.