The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) is concerned that the miscellaneous tariff bill (MTB) process is being “abused” through the filing of hundreds of petitions on finished goods, especially apparel, outgoing Chairman Robert Chapman said March 23 at the group's annual meeting (here). “On principle, NCTO opposes MTBs on finished goods because they often compete with like products made with U.S. inputs,” Chapman said. “Duty reductions on finished textile items from any source can also undermine U.S. free trade agreements that grant duty relief through a yarn forward rule of origin.” But Chapman added that NCTO strongly supports duty relief on domestically unavailable manufacturing inputs that don’t compete with other U.S.-made products. The International Trade Commission is in the process of reviewing the petitions and comments (see 1703230052).
Lawyers for South Korean exporters slammed a purported attempt by the White House to influence an ongoing Commerce Department antidumping duty administrative review, in several briefs filed with the agency March 16. The emailed memorandum sent March 2 by National Trade Council Director Peter Navarro to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross improperly applied political pressure to what is supposed to be an impartial process, said the lawyers, who represent exporters of oil country tubular goods from South Korea.
The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of March 13-19:
President Donald Trump should work to relieve the "financial and procedural burdens" for small firms pursuing antidumping and countervailing duty investigations, Sen. Angus King, I-Maine said in a letter to Trump (here). King said that he personally knows several Maine businesses that chose not to file AD and CV petitions because of financial challenges, which he said disproportionately affect small and medium-size businesses. King called for the Commerce Department to explore the use of more self-initiated investigations, as suggested by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross (see 1701180053). "If self-initiated investigations would have no practical effect for small businesses, however, since most costs are incurred during the investigation phase, then I request that the Administration commit to finding better solutions to this persistent problem." Trump should also “respect the boundaries of the international trade system,” King said in response to an executive trade agenda that highlighted national law as a priority over World Trade Organization rules (see 1703020072). “Fair trade is only enhanced by our participation in and commitment to international trade institutions,” King said. Trump should also work with lawmakers on NAFTA renogotiations and other trade issues in the future even when not required, King said. "Though you possess the statutory power to unilaterally carry out many of your preferred trade policies, I strongly urge you to consult closely with Congress in order to learn how particular trade reforms might impact key state industries and economies," he said.
Industry commenters made closing arguments on petitions for reconsideration of the FCC's October ISP privacy rules with replies due Thursday. Congress is considering a Congressional Review Act resolution opposing the rules (see 1703150032). Observers expect the FCC to move forward, absent quick action on Capitol Hill.
Industry commenters made closing arguments on petitions for reconsideration of the FCC's October ISP privacy rules with replies due Thursday. Congress is considering a Congressional Review Act resolution opposing the rules (see 1703150032). Observers expect the FCC to move forward, absent quick action on Capitol Hill.
The technology industry is continuing to rail against the Trump administration's immigration executive orders, saying they would hurt their employees and businesses, after federal courts in Hawaii and Maryland rejected the orders (see 1702160059 and 1703100009). Fifty-eight companies, including Airbnb, Dropbox, Evernote, Glassdoor, Lyft, Pinterest, TripAdvisor and Wikimedia, filed an amici brief with the plaintiffs in the Hawaii case. They said "restrictions on travel through nationality- and religion-based discrimination causes substantial harm, including to U.S. businesses and their employees." The companies said the first travel ban harmed their businesses and "they are certain to lose more if the proposed new ban takes effect. ... By some reports, U.S. businesses are expected to lose $66 billion annually as a result of the travel ban, along with as many as 132,000 jobs.”
The technology industry is continuing to rail against the Trump administration's immigration executive orders, saying they would hurt their employees and businesses, after federal courts in Hawaii and Maryland rejected the orders (see 1702160059 and 1703100009). Fifty-eight companies, including Airbnb, Dropbox, Evernote, Glassdoor, Lyft, Pinterest, TripAdvisor and Wikimedia, filed an amici brief with the plaintiffs in the Hawaii case. They said "restrictions on travel through nationality- and religion-based discrimination causes substantial harm, including to U.S. businesses and their employees." The companies said the first travel ban harmed their businesses and "they are certain to lose more if the proposed new ban takes effect. ... By some reports, U.S. businesses are expected to lose $66 billion annually as a result of the travel ban, along with as many as 132,000 jobs.”
The technology industry is continuing to rail against the Trump administration's immigration executive orders, saying they would hurt their employees and businesses, after federal courts in Hawaii and Maryland rejected the orders (see 1702160059 and 1703100009). Fifty-eight companies, including Airbnb, Dropbox, Evernote, Glassdoor, Lyft, Pinterest, TripAdvisor and Wikimedia, filed an amici brief with the plaintiffs in the Hawaii case. They said "restrictions on travel through nationality- and religion-based discrimination causes substantial harm, including to U.S. businesses and their employees." The companies said the first travel ban harmed their businesses and "they are certain to lose more if the proposed new ban takes effect. ... By some reports, U.S. businesses are expected to lose $66 billion annually as a result of the travel ban, along with as many as 132,000 jobs.”
Another customs broker recently agreed to additional requirements for validation of powers of attorney as part of a settlement of a trademark lawsuit with Nike. Like the recent settlement between Nike and Alto Customhouse Brokers (see 1702140037), a settlement reached in December in Los Angeles federal court between Nike and KAL America requires the customs brokerage to validate all new powers of attorney it receives from importers by means of notarization, phone calls and checking government-issued IDs. The settlement ends one of the few remaining of a series of trademark cases brought by Nike against customs brokers. Nike has over time moved away from the practice, according to customs lawyers familiar with the issue.