The following are the trade-related bills and resolutions that were introduced in the House or Senate during March 4-6, 2009:
Harmonized Tariff Schedule
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) is a reference manual that provides duty rates for almost every item that exists. It is a system of classifying and taxing all goods imported into the United States. The HTS is based on the international Harmonized System, which is a global standard for naming and describing trade products, and consists of a hierarchical structure that assigns a specific code and rate to each type of merchandise for duty, quota, and statistical purposes. The HTS was made effective on January 1, 1989, replacing the former Tariff Schedules of the United States. It is maintained by the U.S. International Trade Commission, but the Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security is responsible for interpreting and enforcing the HTS.
The following are the trade-related bills and resolutions that were introduced in the House or Senate during March 2-4, 2009:
The Senate Finance Committee has sent a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee expressing concern about many of the provisions in the fiscal year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill and accompanying Explanatory Statement that impinge on Finance Committee jurisdiction, including almost 30 in the trade area alone. (Letter, dated 03/03/09, available at http://finance.senate.gov/press/Gpress/2009/prg030409c.pdf.)
The International Trade Administration has made a preliminary affirmative antidumping duty determination that certain kitchen appliance shelving and racks from China are being, or are likely to be, sold in the U.S. at less than fair value.
The International Trade Commission has released its new online Harmonized Tariff Schedule Online Reference Tool.
The International Trade Administration has made a final affirmative antidumping duty determination that certain steel threaded rod from China is being, or is likely to be, sold in the U.S. at less than fair value.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a revised version of its informed compliance publication entitled, What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About: Classification of Fibers and Yarns under the HTSUS.
The International Trade Administration has sent its report to Congress on any subsidies, including stumpage subsidies, provided by certain countries exporting softwood lumber or softwood lumber products to the U.S. during the six month period January 1- June 30, 2008.
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Economic Stimulus Bill) into law. (White House statement, dated 02/17/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/02/17/Signed-sealed-delivered-ARRA/.)
On January 16, 2009 President Bush issued Proclamation 8341, which amended the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to make technical corrections for the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA), U.S.-Bahrain FTA, and the U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) for Costa Rica.