The American Apparel and Footwear Association and the Fair Labor Association told the interim leader of Bangladesh that they appreciate the goverment's plan to align labor laws with International Labor Organization standards, but asked him to institute an annual minimum wage review for garment, footwear and travel goods workers, including the voices of unions, workers and employers.
The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, along with more than 175 trade organizations, have asked President Joe Biden to urge the United States Maritime Alliance and the International Longshoremen’s Association to resume negotiations for a new labor agreement before Oct. 1, the date that ILA members might go on strike at container terminals at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports.
Economists at the Peterson Institute for International Economics said that if the U.S. were to move all Chinese imports into Column 2 of the tariff schedule, removing permanent normal trade relations status, it would increase inflation by four-tenths of a percent if China were to retaliate, and it would hurt manufacturing the most -- the area politicians most want to protect.
The International Trade Commission published notices in the Sept. 17 Federal Register on the following AD/CVD injury, Section 337 patent or other trade proceedings (any notices that warrant a more detailed summary will be in another ITT article):
The International Trade Commission is beginning a third Section 337 investigation on more allegations from HydraFacial that imports of hydrodermabrasion systems infringe on its patents, the ITC said in a notice Sept. 13. This time, the investigation targets Germany-based MIRAmedtech and its Polish and U.S. affiliates, which allegedly are manufacturing and importing the Cleopatra and MIRApeel systems. HydraFacial alleged in August that they infringe on patents related to HydroFacial’s Syndeo hydrodermabrasion system. The investigation also targets Medical Purchasing Resource (MPR), which distributes the Cleopatra system, as well as Clarion, Luvo and Healthcare Markets (d/b/a Powered by MRP), which distribute Eunsung’s Bela MD hydrodermabrasion system, and Bio-Infusions USA. The ITC will consider whether to issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders against the respondents.
The Commerce Department published notices in the Federal Register Sept. 17 on the following AD/CV duty proceedings (any notices that announce changes to AD/CV duty rates, scope, affected firms or effective dates will be detailed in another ITT article):
The Commerce Department is recognizing an Emirati company’s name change for the purposes of antidumping duties on circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe from the United Arab Emirates (A-520-807), it said in a notice of the final results of a changed circumstances review. The agency confirmed its preliminary finding that Universal Tube and Pipe Industries FZE is the successor-in-interest to Universal Tube and Plastic Industries Limited, saying that Universal Tube and Pipe operates as essentially the same business entity as UTP with respect to the production and sale of subject merchandise, management and ownership, and supplier relationships. Commerce said that effective Sept. 17, Universal Tube and Pipe now inherits the AD rate assigned to UTP, i.e., 1%, set in the final results of the AD administrative review for entries Dec. 1, 2021-Nov. 30, 2022 (see 2407120051). (For a summary of the preliminary results of this changed circumstances review, see 2407260021).
The Commerce Department is beginning a new shipper review at the request of Essen Steel Industry L.L.C. for the purposes of the antidumping duty order on prestressed concrete steel wire strand (PC strand) from the United Arab Emirates (A-520-809), it said in a notice. The agency will determine a new AD cash deposit rate applicable to Essen Steel, which had not previously exported to the U.S. prior to the period under review and is currently covered by the all-others rate. The period of review for the review is Feb. 1, 2024, through July 31, 2024.
The Commerce Department said it's rescinding the administrative review of the antidumping duty order on cased pencils from China (A-570-827) for the period of review Dec. 1, 2022, though Nov. 30, 2023, because there were no reviewable, suspended entries of subject merchandise for three companies for which the reviews had been requested -- (1) Shandong Wah Yuen Stationery Co. Ltd.; Wah Yuen Stationery Co. Ltd.; (2) Tianjin Tonghe Stationery Co., Ltd.; and (3) Ningbo Homey Union Co., Ltd. -- during the review period. Also, a request for review of itself and a request for review of 14 other companies by Aloha Pencil Co. were voided by Commerce because the agency determined Aloha was not a bona fide producer, manufacturer, or wholesaler of a domestic like product during the review period, therefore was not a domestic interested party and unqualified to make a request. Commerce will instruct CBP to assess AD on all appropriate entries, at rates equal to the cash deposit of estimated AD required at the time of entry, or withdrawal from warehouse, for consumption, it said.
The Commerce Department has published the preliminary results of its antidumping duty administrative review on light-walled rectangular pipe and tube from Mexico (A-201-836). Rates calculated in this review will be used to set assessment rates for importers of subject merchandise from the producers and exporters listed below that was entered Aug. 1, 2022, through July 31, 2023.