The U.S. ambassador to the World Trade Organization published a blunt response to reform discussions, arguing that the underpinning of the WTO -- that all countries should receive the same tariff rate, unless there is a comprehensive free-trade agreement between them -- was naive, "and that era has passed."

Steel interests, steelworkers and aluminum interests mostly said that 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum should remain for Canadian and Mexican exports even after upcoming USMCA review, with exceptions among some aluminum witnesses and the Mexican steel industry.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, speaking at a business event Dec. 4, said that the U.S. doesn't want to confront China in concert with allies right now.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is seeking comments on the efficacy of USMCA for the automotive industry.

While apparel industry groups have gripes with USMCA, they prefer it to be preserved as it currently stands rather than risk the uncertainty of renegotiation.

Specialty crop interests testifying at the first of three days of hearings on UMSCA Dec. 3 disagreed on whether duty-free access for Mexican imports should continue, and protectionists' arguments were echoed by Global Trade Watch.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced Nov. 26 that it will extend the 178 currently existing exclusions from Section 301 tariffs on China until Nov. 10, 2026, as expected (see 2511030005). The exclusions had been set to expire Nov. 29, but the Trump administration agreed to extend them as part of a deal that also cut tariffs on China by 10% and halted ship-docking fees in return for China pausing export controls on rare earths, lowering retaliatory tariffs and stopping its own retaliatory ship fees.

Trade talks with Taiwan have "made a lot of advances," according to a senior administration official, speaking on background with a group of reporters Nov. 13. He had been announcing frameworks with El Salvador, Guatemala, Ecuador and Argentina, and was asked about which countries might come next.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has rescheduled a public hearing on how USMCA has been working to Dec. 3 through Dec. 5. Each day will begin at 9 a.m. at the International Trade Commission's main hearing room. The hearing was originally scheduled for Nov. 17.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is soliciting comments on the one-year suspension of ship docking fees and logistics-related tariffs, such as on chassis from China. The fees and tariffs are in abeyance until Nov. 10, 2026.