Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., introduced No Trade Preferences for Communist China Act, which would end permanent normal trade relations with China.
The top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, criticized U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer for the U.S.'s communique declaring that the era of most-favored nation tariff rates is over (see 2512160045). In a letter sent last week, Wyden said, "MFN has been integral to U.S. trade policy and a core principle of the international trading system for nearly 80 years, and it ensures that U.S. goods and services can compete on a level playing field in international markets without being targeted with unfair tariffs or regulations."
CBP should write a report on whether self-initiation of cases under the Enforce and Protect Act "would allow CBP to pursue more circumvention cases and extend existing investigations deeper into supply chains fully and whether such authority would result in greater enforcement," wrote the Senate Appropriations Committee, in its instructions to CBP as part of its DHS annual appropriations bill. It directed the agency to compile the report within 90 days of the bill's enactment.
A listing of recent Commerce Department antidumping and countervailing duty messages posted on CBP's website Dec. 19, along with the case number(s) and CBP message number, is provided below. The messages are available by searching for the listed CBP message number at CBP's ADCVD Search page.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
White House Chief Economic Adviser Kevin Hassett said that refunding tariffs paid by importers "would be very complicated." He said that those importers of record would then have to allocate that money to retailers.
The FCC is banning imports of foreign-made drones and drone parts that have not yet been approved by the agency, it said in a news release Dec. 22.
The Senate confirmed the nomination of Laura DiBella late Dec. 18 to fill a vacancy on the Federal Maritime Commission. The Senate Commerce Committee approved DiBella’s nomination in November (see 2511190051). A second FMC nominee, Robert Harvey, awaits consideration by the committee.
The Senate on Dec. 18 confirmed the nomination of Julie Callahan to serve as chief agricultural negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and approved Jeffrey Goettman to be deputy USTR for Africa, the Western Hemisphere, Europe, the Middle East, Environment, Labor and Industrial Competitiveness.
Karen Damon will be the new vice president of the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, replacing Kristi App, who vacated the position after accepting a job at the Port of New Orleans (see 2512080029), the NCBFAA said in an emailed news release. Leo James will replace Damon as NCBFAA treasurer. Both were elected to their new positions by the NCBFAA board.