The United Kingdom is seeking comments, due Oct. 5, on the future of its autonomous tariff rate quota for raw cane sugar after it officially leaves the European Union next year, the U.K.’s Department for International Trade said Sept. 14. It wants feedback on whether the U.K. should impose a tariff rate quota, the “volume of an ATQ” that industry would prefer, if at all, and the quota's impact on industry sectors or businesses in the U.K.

Brazil will keep its tariff rate quota on U.S. ethanol exports steady over the next 90 days, as the two countries negotiate how to “improve market access” for ethanol and sugar in the U.S. and in Brazil. They will also consider liberalizing corn imports in the two countries. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced the negotiations after the close of business Sept. 11, and the 90-day timeline started Sept 14. The ethanol market has been hurt by the reduction in driving due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

China suspended imports of horses and equine products from Malaysia due to an outbreak of African horse disease in Terengganu, Malaysia, it said Sept. 11, according to an unofficial translation. China said it will return or destroy all imported equine products from Malaysia and “strengthen the elimination” of insects on ships and vehicles from Malaysia that may be carrying the disease.

China suspended imports of pigs, wild boars and other pork products from Germany after an outbreak of African swine fever among wild boar in Brandenburg, Germany, China’s customs authority said in a Sept. 11 notice, according to an unofficial translation. China said it will return or destroy all illegally imported German pork products, and violators will face customs penalties, according to an unofficial translation of the notice.

China launched a countervailing duty investigation into imports of certain monoalkyl ethers of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol originating in the U.S., the Ministry of Commerce said Sept. 14, according to an unofficial translation. China said it expects to complete the investigation by Sept. 14, 2021.

FedEx is considering appealing a Sept. 10 federal court decision (see 2009110038) that dismissed the shipping company’s lawsuit against the Bureau of Industry and Security, a FedEx spokesperson said. The company, which told the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that BIS was acting outside the authority of the Export Administration Regulations and was applying overly burdensome liability standards on carriers, said it still believes its arguments are valid. “FedEx respectfully disagrees with the court’s decision and is disappointed by this ruling,” the spokesperson said in a Sept. 11 statement, adding that the company is “considering our legal options, including appeal.”

The U.S. extended by one year a national emergency authorizing sanctions against foreign people and entities that interfere in U.S. elections, the White House said Sept. 10. The authority would have expired Sept. 12.

The Federal Maritime Commission said its May rule on detention and demurrage charges (see 2004290037) is helping to reduce unfair penalties imposed by carriers, but industry said the fees are continuing and the FMC’s guidance is not being followed. The rule “at first seemed to be a great victory,” said Rich Roche, vice president of international transportation at Mohawk Global Logistics, speaking during a virtual conference hosted by the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America Sept. 14. But Roche, who is also the chair for the NCBFAA’s Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier Subcommittee, said some carriers increased their demurrage and detention fees the same week the rule was finalized.

The Treasury Department issued its final rule to modify mandatory declaration requirements for certain transactions involving critical technologies and made several revisions in response to industry comments. The changes include technical revisions and clarifications related to exemptions and the timing of determining whether a party must submit a declaration.

The Canada government issued the following trade-related notice as of Sept. 11 (some may also be given separate headlines):