The Court of International Trade on April 22 ordered a novice importer to pay a $141,984.98 penalty, plus $146,368.64 in unpaid duties, for failure to declare stainless steel flanges subject to an antidumping duty order. Despite the Titan Metals’ small size, the court found the importer’s false statements on entry documentation “particularly egregious,” setting the penalty at 50 percent of the legal maximum.
Industry groups and unions continued to react to the International Trade Commission's analysis of the new NAFTA the day after the report was released, with most saying the report confirmed what they already knew.
SAN ANTONIO -- CBP is combing through its export processes to streamline, automate and harmonize agency review, exams and penalties across the ports, according to Jim Swanson, director of CBP’s cargo and security controls division. Speaking at the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America's annual conference April 17, Swanson said CBP has “incrementally moved the ball” on exports in the past year, but is “on the verge” with “a few things we’re working on diligently.”
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that beginning May 2, those who had property seized by the Cuban government after the Communist revolution can sue foreign companies "trafficking in property that was confiscated by the Cuban regime. Any person or company doing business in Cuba should heed this announcement," he said April 17. The right to sue foreign companies had been suspended for more than 20 years, and European diplomats warned Pompeo ahead of the announcement "the extraterritorial application of unilateral restrictive measures, such as the LIBERTAD Act, is contrary to international law." Trade Minister Cecilia Malmstrom said that if he went through with the plan to allow these lawsuits, the EU may launch a World Trade Organization case, and would allow EU companies to file counterclaims in EU courts against Americans bringing suit.
The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of April 8-14:
A group of steel importers will take their challenge of Section 232 tariffs on iron and steel products to the Supreme Court, according to a petition for certiorari dated April 15. The American Institute for International Steel and two of its members argue in the filing that their recently filed U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit appeal would be a waste given that the case would likely end up before the Supreme Court anyway. They also say the ongoing harm to the steel industry and the potential for new Section 232 tariffs on cars and auto parts mean a final decision is needed as soon as possible.
It’s possible for the FTC to conduct multiple Section 6(b) studies at once, a spokesperson said Friday, noting it’s been done in the past.
It’s possible for the FTC to conduct multiple Section 6(b) studies at once, a spokesperson said Friday, noting it’s been done in the past.
The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of April 1-7:
Some wireless industry officials came away disappointed from CTIA’s 5G Summit Thursday (see 1904040048) that FCC Chairman Ajit Pai didn’t offer new details or make a more explicit commitment on the C band. CTIA President Meredith Baker said at the event the band offers the best opportunity for making more mid-band spectrum available quickly. Pai, who spoke at the end, said the FCC is looking closely at the band and repeated earlier comments that it’s unusually complicated. Pai said he was still “sitting down with engineers, economists and lawyers” working through the future of the band.