The Court of International Trade on Nov. 26 granted the government's motion for rehearing in a customs dispute on the classification of certain radial, web and chordal segments imported by Honeywell and used in airplane brakes, changing the classification of the parts to "fabrics" under Harmonized Tariff Schedule heading 6307. Judge Mark Barnett reversed his previous holding that the goods are "parts of an aircraft" under heading 8803, subjecting the items at issue to a 7% duty under subheading 6307.90.98.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., said Nov. 21 that he plans to file a discharge petition to force a House vote on a bill to impose additional sanctions on Russia and new tariffs on countries that buy its oil and gas.
Rep. Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii, introduced a bill that would eliminate reciprocal tariffs on 40 countries, including Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Australia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Thailand and others in Asia.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
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The Coalition for a Prosperous America reacted with alarm to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's offer that the U.S. could soften its tariffs on European steel and aluminum if the EU changes its approach to regulating American tech giants.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, speaking after a 90-minute meeting with EU and member country counterparts, explicitly linked changes in digital regulation in the EU to relief on 50% tariffs on steel, aluminum and their derivatives, where the value of the metal is taxed.
Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., introduced a bill called the No Tariffs on Groceries Act, which would require the assent of Congress before tariff hikes on food or agricultural products.
Correction: Only two subheadings, 3301.12.00 and 3301.90.50, which cover some fertilizers and essential oils, were listed under new exemptions for 40% additional tariffs from Brazil but aren't exempt from reciprocal tariffs. The other minor differences between the two lists account for existing tariff exemptions (see 2511210001).
As CBP ramps up enforcement, the agency often seems to be heading straight for penalties, as witnessed anecdotally by the trend to send out more notices of action, or CF-29 forms, instead of informing importers of possible errors, according to trade experts speaking on a Nov. 20 webinar hosted by logistics company Expeditors.