On May 24, 2021, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) announced its affirmative final determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) investigations of Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires (PVLT) from South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, and affirmative final determination in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of PVLT from Vietnam.
Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis System: Effective Date and Response to Comments
AGENCY:
Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
ACTION:
Final rule; response to comments.
SUMMARY:
The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) is confirming the stay of the regulations entitled “Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis System” will be lifted on June 28, 2021. Commerce is also addressing the additional public comments received regarding the final rule. Finally, Commerce is also confirming that compliance with its regulations regarding the Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis (AIM) system, except for certain sections, will take effect on June 28, 2021 and is extending the temporary delay for compliance with the remaining sections its regulations from December 23, 2021 to June 28, 2022.
DATES:
Effective date: This document is effective on June 28, 2021.
Compliance dates:Compliance with19 CFR part 361(except for § 361.103(c)(3)(i)(C) and (c)(3)(ii)(C)) is required on June 28, 2021.Seethe SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for more information. Section 361.103(c)(3)(i)(C) and (c)(3)(ii)(C) allow filers to state “unknown” for certain fields on the license application on a temporary basis through June 28, 2022. As of June 29, 2022, filers will no longer be able to state “unknown” and will be required to provide the requested information for these fields. Read More→
USITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN WEARABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITH ECG FUNCTIONALITY AND COMPONENTS THEREOF
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain wearable electronic devices with ECG functionality and components thereof. The products at issue in the investigation are described in the Commission’s notice of investigation.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by AliveCor, Inc., of Mountain View, CA, on April 20, 2021. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain wearable electronic devices with ECG functionality and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by the complainant. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and a cease and desist order.
The USITC has identified Apple Inc. of Cupertino, CA, as the respondent in this investigation.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1266), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.
The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.
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https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2021/er0520ll1776.htm
USITC MAKES DETERMINATIONS IN FIVE-YEAR (SUNSET) REVIEW CONCERNING BARIUM CHLORIDE FROM CHINA
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping duty order on imports of barium chloride from China would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determination, the existing order on imports of this product from China will remain in place.
Chair Jason E. Kearns, Vice Chair Randolph J. Stayin, and Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.
Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on this five-year (sunset) review.
The Commission’s public report Barium Chloride from China (Inv. No. 731-TA-149 (Fifth Review), USITC Publication 5203, June 2021) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the review.
The report will be available by June 22, 2021; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: https://www.usitc.gov/commission_publications_library.
BACKGROUND
The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time.
The Commission’s institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order under review as well as other information. Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review. If responses to the USITC’s notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires. Read More→
https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2021/er0519ll1775.htm
United States Seeks Mexico's Review of Alleged Worker's Rights Denial at Auto Manufacturing Facility
WASHINGTON – United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai today announced that the United States has asked Mexico to review whether workers at a General Motors (GM) facility are being denied the right of free association and collective bargaining. The request is the first time any country has used the novel Rapid Response Labor Mechanism in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). USTR and the Department of Labor received information appearing to indicate serious violations of these workers’ rights in Silao, State of Guanajuato in connection with a recent worker vote, organized by the existing union, to approve their collective bargaining agreement.
“Today’s action shows the Biden-Harris Administration’s serious commitment to workers and a worker-centered trade policy.” said Ambassador Katherine Tai announcing the action. “Using USMCA to help protect freedom of association and collective bargaining rights in Mexico helps workers both at home and in Mexico, by stopping a race to the bottom. It also supports Mexico’s efforts to implement its recent labor law reforms. I commend the Mexican government for stepping in to suspend the vote when it became aware of voting irregularities. Today’s action will complement Mexico’s efforts to ensure that these workers can fully exercise their collective bargaining rights.”
“All workers – in Mexico, the United States, and around the world – deserve a genuine, democratic voice at work,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. “The Department of Labor is committed to working with our counterparts in Mexico to support compliance with the labor commitments of USMCA and legitimate collective bargaining supported by workers. In requesting this review, the United States clearly sends the message that worker rights must be respected.”
In connection with the U.S. request, Ambassador Tai has directed the Secretary of the Treasury to suspend the final settlement of customs accounts related to entries of goods from GM’s Silao facility. Under USMCA Article 31-A.4.3, liquidation will resume once there is an agreement by the Parties that there is no Denial of Rights or a finding by a panel that there is no Denial of Rights. Read More→
Decision to Initiate Antidumping Duty Investigations of Raw Honey from Argentina, Brazil, India, Ukraine, and Vietnam
On May 12, 2021, The Department of Commerce (Commerce) announced the initiation of antidumping duty (AD) investigations of raw honey from Argentina, Brazil, India, Ukraine, and Vietnam
Case Calendar
Joint United States-European Union Statement on Addressing Global Steel and Aluminum Excess Capacity
United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo, and European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis today announced the start of discussions to address global steel and aluminum excess capacity. During a virtual meeting last week, the leaders acknowledged the need for effective solutions that preserve our critical industries, and agreed to chart a path that ends the WTO disputes following the U.S. application of tariffs on imports from the EU under section 232.
Ambassador Tai, Secretary Raimondo, and Executive Vice President Dombrovskis acknowledged the impact on their industries stemming from global excess capacity driven largely by third parties. The distortions that result from this excess capacity pose a serious threat to the market-oriented EU and U.S. steel and aluminum industries and the workers in those industries. They agreed that, as the United States and EU Member States are allies and partners, sharing similar national security interests as democratic, market economies, they can partner to promote high standards, address shared concerns, and hold countries like China that support trade-distorting policies to account.
They agreed to enter into discussions on the mutual resolution of concerns in this area that addresses steel and aluminum excess capacity and the deployment of effective solutions, including appropriate trade measures, to preserve our critical industries. To ensure the most constructive environment for these joint efforts, they agreed to avoid changes on these issues that negatively affect bilateral trade. They committed to engaging in these discussions expeditiously to find solutions before the end of the year that will demonstrate how the U.S. and EU can address excess capacity, ensure the long-term viability of our steel and aluminum industries, and strengthen our democratic alliance.
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USITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN HIGH-POTENCY SWEETENERS, PROCESSES FOR MAKING SAME, AND PRODUCTS CONTAINING SAME
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain high-potency sweeteners, processes for making same, and products containing same. The products at issue in the investigation are described in the Commission’s notice of investigation.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Celanese International Corporation of Irving, TX; Celanese (Malta) Company 2 Limited of Qormi, Malta; and Celanese Sales U.S. Ltd. of Irving, TX, on April 8, 2021. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain high-potency sweeteners, processes for making same, and products containing same that infringe patents asserted by the complainants. The complainants request that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Anhui Jinhe Industrial Co., Ltd., of Chuzhou City, Anhui, China;
Jinhe USA LLC of Chicago, IL;
Agridient, Inc. of Farmington Hills, MI;
Apura Ingredients Inc. of Chino, CA;
Crossroad Ingredients of Fairfield, NJ;
Hhoya USA Inc. of New York, NY;
Ingredis US LLC of Plainsboro, NJ;
NiuSource Inc. of Chino, CA;
Prinova US LLC of Hanover Park, IL;
Prosweetz Ingredients Incorporated d/b/a Panasource Ingredients Inc. of Edison, NJ;
Suzhou-Chem Inc. of Wellesley, MA; and
UMC Ingredients, LLC fka JRS International LLC of Lyndhurst, NJ.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1264), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.
The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.
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https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2021/er0511ll1767.htm
PRESTRESSED CONCRETE STEEL WIRE STRAND FROM INDONESIA, ITALY, MALAYSIA, SOUTH AFRICA, SPAIN, TUNISIA, AND UKRAINE INJURES U.S. INDUSTRY, SAYS USITC
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of prestressed concrete steel wire strand from Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, South Africa, Spain, Tunisia, and Ukraine that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.
Chair Jason E. Kearns, Vice Chair Randolph J. Stayin, and Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping duty orders on imports of this product from Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, South Africa, Spain, Tunisia, and Ukraine.
The Commission also made negative critical circumstances findings with regard to certain imports of this product from Indonesia. As a result, these imports will not be subject to retroactive antidumping duties.
The Commission’s public report Prestressed Concrete Steel Wire Strand from Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, South Africa, Spain, Tunisia, and Ukraine (Inv. Nos. 731-TA-1505-1507, 1510-1511, 1513, and 1515 (Final), USITC Publication 5196, May 2021) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available by June 14, 2021; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Prestressed Concrete Steel Wire Strand from Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, South Africa, Spain, Tunisia, and Ukraine
Investigation Nos. 731-TA-1505-1507, 1510-1511, 1513, and 1515 (Final)
Product Description: The merchandise covered by these investigations is prestressed concrete steel wire strand (PC strand), produced from wire of non-stainless, non-galvanized steel, which is suitable for use in prestressed concrete (both pre-tensioned and post-tensioned) applications. The product definition encompasses covered and uncovered strand and all types, grades, and diameters of PC strand. PC strand is normally sold in the United States in sizes ranging from 0.25 inches to 0.70 inches in diameter.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigation: Final antidumping duty investigations.
2. Petitioners: Insteel Wire Products Company, Mount Airy, NC; Sumiden Wire Products Corporation, Dickson, TN; and, Wire Mesh Corporation, Houston, TX.
3. USITC Institution Date: Thursday, April 16, 2020.
4. USITC Hearing Date: Thursday, December 10, 2020.
5. USITC Vote Date: Tuesday, May 11, 2021.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date: Monday, May 24, 2021. Read More→
https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2021/er0511ll1768.htm
USITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN TELEVISIONS, REMOTE CONTROLS, AND COMPONENTS THEREOF
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain televisions, remote controls, and components thereof. The products at issue in the investigation are described in the Commission’s notice of investigation.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Roku, Inc., of San Jose, CA, on April 8, 2021 and amended on April 27, 2021. The complaint, as amended, alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain televisions, remote controls, and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by the complainant. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
The USITC has identified the following as respondents in this investigation:
Universal Electronics, Inc., of Scottsdale, AZ;
Gemstar Technology (Qinzhou) Co. Ltd. of Qinzhou, China;
Gemstar Technology (Yangzhou) Co. Ltd. of Yanzhou, China;
C.G. Development Ltd. of Kowloon, Hong Kong;
Universal Electronics BV of Enschede, Netherlands;
UEI Brasil Controles Remotos Ltda. of Manaus, Brazil;
CG Mexico Remote Controls, S. de R.L. de C.V. of Nuevo Leon, Mexico;
LG Electronics Inc. of Seoul, Republic of Korea;
LG Electronics USA, Inc., of Englewood Cliffs, NJ;
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., of Suwon-si, Republic of Korea;
Samsung Electronics America, Inc., of Ridgefield Park, NJ;
Charter Communications, Inc., of Stamford, CT;
Charter Communications Operating, LLC, of St. Louis, MO;
Spectrum Management Holding Company, LLC, of Stamford, CT;
Altice USA, Inc., of Long Island City, NY;
Cablevision Systems Corp. of Bethpage, NY;
Cequel Communications, LLC d/b/a Suddenlink Communications of Long Island City, NY; and
Wideopenwest, Inc., of Englewood, CO.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1263), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.
The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.
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https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2021/er0510ll1766.htm
UNITED STATES REMAINS WORLD'S LARGEST SERVICES EXPORTER AND IMPORTER IN 2019, REPORTS USITC
The United States is the world's largest services market and was the world’s leading exporter and importer of services in 2019, reports the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) in its new publication Recent Trends in U.S. Services Trade, 2021 Annual Report.
The USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, compiles the report annually. Each year's report presents a qualitative and quantitative overview of U.S. trade in services and highlights some of the services sectors and geographic markets that contribute substantially to recent services trade performance.
This year’s report focuses on professional services and includes sections detailing trends in six specific industries: research and development services, legal services, management consulting services, education services, architecture and engineering services, and healthcare services. Each section analyzes global market conditions in the industry and summarizes the industry’s outlook.
The report describes trade in services via cross-border transactions through 2019 and via affiliate sales through 2018 (latest available data). Highlights include:
The services sector represents the largest sector of the U.S. economy, and the United States is the world’s top cross-border exporter and importer of services. In 2019, U.S. exports of private services totaled $853.3 billion, whereas imports totaled $564.3 billion.
Within the services sector, sales by foreign affiliates of U.S. firms – the leading channel by which many U.S. services are delivered to foreign markets – totaled $1.7 trillion in 2018 while the value of services purchased from foreign-owned affiliates in the United States totaled $1.2 trillion.
The professional services sector includes a variety of activities that generally require highly skilled labor and, in many cases, specific licenses or credentials are required to provide the services. Professional services accounted for 34 percent of total cross-border services exports and 25 percent of imports in 2019. They represented 15 percent of total sales by the foreign affiliates of U.S. firms and 15 percent of total purchases from the U.S. affiliates of foreign firms.
In recent years, some professional service sectors have changed the way their services are provided, whether by introducing new business models and suppliers or by shifting from providing services in person to providing them online. In particular:
legal services - alternative legal service providers (ALSPs), a diverse group of companies including legal process outsourcing firms (LPOs) and the Big Four accounting firms, have outpaced the growth of traditional law firms;
management consulting (MC) - an evolving trend towards the digital supply of MC services preceded the COVID-19 pandemic, but COVID-19 travel restrictions have hastened this trend, and MC providers now mostly supply services remotely;
education - the volume of university-level foreign students studying in the United States has experienced systemic declines, which were further aggravated by COVID-19 in 2020.
For other professional services sectors, changing consumer preferences due to the COVID-19 pandemic have driven recent developments, including:
architecture and engineering - COVID-19 has created strong demand for project design in essential business segments, such as hospitals, water management, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and for pandemic-related redesign services for medical, home, education, and office space;
heathcare - the adoption of telemedicine in the United States has accelerated since March 2020, as the share of U.S. consumers who have used telemedicine went up by 35 percent in 2020 from 11 percent in 2019.
The USITC hosted its 14th annual services roundtable, which was held virtually for the first time on October 27, 2020. The discussion, summarized in the report, focused on the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic on demand, output, modes of supply, business practices, labor, and productivity in U.S. and global services industries, and the impact of establishing a presence in one or more foreign markets on U.S. services firms’ operations and overall employment in the United States.
Recent Trends in U.S. Services Trade, 2021 Annual Report (Investigation No. 332-345, USITC publication 5129, April 2021) is available on the USITC's Internet site at https://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub5192.pdf.
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https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2021/er0503ll1759.htm
UNITED STATES REMAINS WORLD'S LARGEST SERVICES EXPORTER AND IMPORTER IN 2019, REPORTS USITC
he United States is the world's largest services market and was the world’s leading exporter and importer of services in 2019, reports the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) in its new publication Recent Trends in U.S. Services Trade, 2021 Annual Report.
The USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, compiles the report annually. Each year's report presents a qualitative and quantitative overview of U.S. trade in services and highlights some of the services sectors and geographic markets that contribute substantially to recent services trade performance.
This year’s report focuses on professional services and includes sections detailing trends in six specific industries: research and development services, legal services, management consulting services, education services, architecture and engineering services, and healthcare services. Each section analyzes global market conditions in the industry and summarizes the industry’s outlook.
The report describes trade in services via cross-border transactions through 2019 and via affiliate sales through 2018 (latest available data). Highlights include:
The services sector represents the largest sector of the U.S. economy, and the United States is the world’s top cross-border exporter and importer of services. In 2019, U.S. exports of private services totaled $853.3 billion, whereas imports totaled $564.3 billion.
Within the services sector, sales by foreign affiliates of U.S. firms – the leading channel by which many U.S. services are delivered to foreign markets – totaled $1.7 trillion in 2018 while the value of services purchased from foreign-owned affiliates in the United States totaled $1.2 trillion.
The professional services sector includes a variety of activities that generally require highly skilled labor and, in many cases, specific licenses or credentials are required to provide the services. Professional services accounted for 34 percent of total cross-border services exports and 25 percent of imports in 2019. They represented 15 percent of total sales by the foreign affiliates of U.S. firms and 15 percent of total purchases from the U.S. affiliates of foreign firms.
In recent years, some professional service sectors have changed the way their services are provided, whether by introducing new business models and suppliers or by shifting from providing services in person to providing them online. In particular:
legal services - alternative legal service providers (ALSPs), a diverse group of companies including legal process outsourcing firms (LPOs) and the Big Four accounting firms, have outpaced the growth of traditional law firms;
management consulting (MC) - an evolving trend towards the digital supply of MC services preceded the COVID-19 pandemic, but COVID-19 travel restrictions have hastened this trend, and MC providers now mostly supply services remotely;
education - the volume of university-level foreign students studying in the United States has experienced systemic declines, which were further aggravated by COVID-19 in 2020.
For other professional services sectors, changing consumer preferences due to the COVID-19 pandemic have driven recent developments, including:
architecture and engineering - COVID-19 has created strong demand for project design in essential business segments, such as hospitals, water management, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and for pandemic-related redesign services for medical, home, education, and office space;
heathcare - the adoption of telemedicine in the United States has accelerated since March 2020, as the share of U.S. consumers who have used telemedicine went up by 35 percent in 2020 from 11 percent in 2019. Read More→
https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2021/er0503ll1759.htm
MATTRESSES FROM CAMBODIA, CHINA, INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, SERBIA, THAILAND, TURKEY, AND VIETNAM INJURE U.S. INDUSTRY, SAYS USITC
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of mattresses from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the government of China.
Chair Jason E. Kearns, Vice Chair Randolph J. Stayin, and Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping duty orders on imports of this product from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam and a countervailing duty order on imports of this product from China.
The Commission’s public report Mattresses from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-645 and 731-TA-1495-1501 (Final), USITC Publication 5191, May 2021) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available by May 24, 2021; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Mattresses from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-645 and 731-TA-1495-1501 (Final)
Product Description: In the industry, the term "mattress" generally means a resilient material or combination of materials generally enclosed by ticking that is intended or promoted for sleeping upon by people. Mattresses generally consist of (1) a core, (2) upholstery material, and (3) ticking. The core provides the main support system of the mattress. The core may consist of innersprings, non‐innerspring materials (e.g., foam), other resilient filling, or a combination of these materials. Read More→
https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2021/er0421ll1758.htm
USDA TO LAUNCH NEW ELECTRONIC TRADE CERTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR DAIRY
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will launch the Agriculture Trade Licensing & Attestation Solution (ATLAS) on May 6, 2021. ATLAS is the first phase of an improved electronic trade certification system (eTDE) for use by the dairy industry. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is leading the modernization of eTDE, which is the current electronic certification system, to streamline agriculture trade activities and improve the customer experience. ATLAS is a single enterprise-wide portal that allows the secure exchange of trade data and documents needed for shipments to worldwide ports from marketing through delivery for the dairy industry. ATLAS is part of USDA’s information technology modernization strategy, which includes measures to improve customers’ digital experience and modernize applications.
Once ATLAS is launched, dairy exporters will be able to use the portal to request and receive export certificate documents needed to engage in global trade. ATLAS will provide customers increased transparency throughout the certificate process and will improve their ability to request and update export certificate requests, communicate with USDA staff about specific certificates, and review certificate billing information.
USDA will hold training webinars to explain to dairy stakeholders how to use the system on April 29 and May 4, 2021. An introductory video and information on how to attend the webinars will be posted on the ATLAS web page. Additional training materials, including short “how-to” videos and a user manual, will also be posted online before the May 6 launch.
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https://www.ams.usda.gov/content/usda-launch-new-electronic-trade-certification-system-dairy
Notification of Temporary Travel Restrictions Applicable to Land Ports of Entry and Ferries Service Between the United States and Canada
AGENCY:
Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION:
Notification of continuation of temporary travel restrictions.
SUMMARY:
This document announces the decision of the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to continue to temporarily limit the travel of individuals from Canada into the United States at land ports of entry along the United States-Canada border. Such travel will be limited to “essential travel,” as further defined in this document.
DATES:
These restrictions go into effect at 12 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on April 22, 2021 and will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 21, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Stephanie Watson, Office of Field Operations Coronavirus Coordination Cell, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at 202-325-0840.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On March 24, 2020, DHS published notice of its decision to temporarily limit the travel of individuals from Canada into the United States at land ports of entry along the United States-Canada border to “essential travel,” as further defined in that document.[1] The document described the developing circumstances regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and stated that, given the outbreak and continued transmission and spread of the virus associated with COVID-19 within the United States and globally, DHS had determined that the risk of continued transmission and spread of the virus associated with COVID-19 between the United States and Canada posed a “specific threat to human life or national interests.” DHS later published a series of notifications continuing such limitations on travel until 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 21, 2021.[2]
DHS continues to monitor and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of the week of April 12, 2021, there have been over 135 million confirmed cases globally, with over 2.9 million confirmed deaths.[3]There have been over 31 million confirmed and probable cases within the United States,[4]over one million confirmed cases in Canada,[5]and over 2.2 million confirmed cases in Mexico.[6]
Notice of Action
Given the outbreak and continued transmission and spread of COVID-19 within the United States and globally, the Secretary has determined that the risk of continued transmission and spread of the virus associated with COVID-19 between the United States and Canada poses an ongoing “specific threat to human life or national interests.” Read More→
SUBSIDIZED CHASSIS AND SUBASSEMBLIES FROM CHINA INJURE U.S. INDUSTRY, SAYS USITC
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of chassis and subassemblies that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized by the government of China.
Chair Jason E. Kearns, Vice Chair Randolph J. Stayin, and Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determination, Commerce will issue a countervailing duty order on imports of this product from China.
The Commission’s public report Chassis and Subassemblies from China (Inv. No. 701-TA-657 (Final), USITC Publication 5187, May 2021) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.
The report will be available by May 27, 2021; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Chassis and Subassemblies from China
Investigation No. 701-TA-657 (Final)
Product Description: Chassis are skeletal rectangular framed trailers used to transport shipping containers. The rectangular frame is made up of steel with a suspension and axle system, wheels and tires, brakes, a lighting and electrical system, a coupling for towing behind a truck tractor, and a locking system or systems to secure the shipping container or containers attached to the chassis. Chassis are designed to carry containers of various sizes (usually ranging from 20-feet to 53-feet in the United States).
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigation: Final countervailing duty investigation.
2. Petitioners: Coalition of American Chassis Manufacturers (Cheetah Chassis Corporation, Fairless Hills, PA; Hercules Enterprises LLC, Hillsborough, NJ; Pitts Enterprises, Inc., Pittsview, AL; Pratt Industries, Inc., Bridgman, MI; Stoughton Trailers, Stoughton, WI).
3. USITC Institution Date: Thursday, July 30, 2020.
4. USITC Hearing Date: Tuesday, March 16, 2021.
5. USITC Vote Date: Tuesday, April 13, 2021.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date: Thursday, May 6, 2021. Read More→
https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2021/er0413ll1753.htm
2021/2022 Rates Charged for AMS Services
AGENCY:
Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing the 2021/2022 rates it will charge for voluntary grading, inspection, certification, auditing, and laboratory services for a variety of agricultural commodities including meat and poultry, fruits and vegetables, eggs, dairy products, rice, and cotton and tobacco. The 2021/2022 regular, overtime, holiday, and laboratory services rates will be applied at the beginning of the crop year, fiscal year or as required by law depending on the commodity. Other starting dates are added to this notice based on cotton industry practices. This action establishes the rates for user-funded programs based on costs incurred by AMS. This year, nearly two-thirds of AMS user fee rates will remain unchanged from the previous year and a few will decrease, but increases are necessary to many fees to cover costs.
DATES:
April 21, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Charles Parrott, AMS, USDA, Room 2063A-S, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250; telephone (202) 260-9144, fax (202) 692-0313, or email charles.parrott@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (AMA)(7 U.S.C. 1621-1627), provides for the collection of fees to cover costs of various inspection, grading, certification, or auditing services covering many agricultural commodities and products. The AMA also provides for the recovery of costs incurred in providing laboratory services. The Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act (7 U.S.C. 471-476) and the U.S. Cotton Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 51-65) provide for classification of cotton and development of cotton standards materials necessary for cotton classification. The Cotton Futures Act (7 U.S.C. 15b) provides for futures certification services, and the Tobacco Inspection Act (7 U.S.C. 511-511s) provides for tobacco inspection and grading. These Acts also provide for the recovery of costs associated with these services. Read More→
MATTRESSES FROM CAMBODIA, CHINA, INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, SERBIA, THAILAND, TURKEY, AND VIETNAM INJURE U.S. INDUSTRY, SAYS USITC
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of mattresses from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the government of China.
Chair Jason E. Kearns, Vice Chair Randolph J. Stayin, and Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping duty orders on imports of this product from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam and a countervailing duty order on imports of this product from China.
The Commission’s public report Mattresses from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-645 and 731-TA-1495-1501 (Final), USITC Publication 5191, May 2021) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available by May 24, 2021; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Mattresses from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-645 and 731-TA-1495-1501 (Final)
Product Description: In the industry, the term "mattress" generally means a resilient material or combination of materials generally enclosed by ticking that is intended or promoted for sleeping upon by people. Mattresses generally consist of (1) a core, (2) upholstery material, and (3) ticking. The core provides the main support system of the mattress. The core may consist of innersprings, non‐innerspring materials (e.g., foam), other resilient filling, or a combination of these materials.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigation: Final countervailing duty and antidumping duty investigations.
2. Petitioners: Brooklyn Bedding, Phoenix, AZ; Corsicana Mattress Co., Dallas, TX; Elite Comfort Solutions, Newnan, GA; FXI, Inc., Media, PA; Innocor, Inc., Media, PA; Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc., Chicago, IL; Leggett & Platt, Inc., Carthage, MO; the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Washington, DC; and United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union, AFL‐CIO, Washington, DC.
3. USITC Institution Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2020.
4. USITC Hearing Date: Thursday, March 18, 2021.
5. USITC Vote Date: Wednesday, April 21, 2021.
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date: Monday, May 10, 2021. Read More→
https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2021/er0421ll1758.htm
DHS Announces Operation to Target Criminal Smuggling Organizations
Release Date:
April 27, 2021
WASHINGTON — Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas today announced a new counter-network targeting operation focused on transnational criminal organizations affiliated with the smuggling of migrants.
“Transnational criminal organizations put profit over human life, with devastating consequences,” said Secretary Mayorkas. “With the help of our federal and foreign partners, we aim to cut off access to that profit by denying these criminals the ability to engage in travel, trade, and finance in the United States. We intend to disrupt every facet of the logistical network that these organizations use to succeed.”
The new anti-smuggling effort, called Operation Sentinel, is a collaborative effort with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. Department of State, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration of the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Smuggling operations continue to lie and exploit vulnerable populations to promote their criminal enterprise – the health and safety of migrants does not influence their lucrative ambition,” said CBP Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner Troy Miller. “This operation is designed to disrupt every facet of the logistical network of these criminal organizations. Our goal is to enhance the security of the U.S. border and help save the lives of those who are preyed upon by these unscrupulous criminals.”
“ICE agents combat cross-border criminal activity every day to ensure the overall safety, security and well-being of our nation,” said Acting ICE Director Tae D. Johnson. “Collaborating on this endeavor with our partners amplifies our ability to disrupt and dismantle these criminal organizations that exploit and dehumanize people.”
"We are proud to be part of this effort to stop transnational criminal organizations and their networks from smuggling human beings across our borders," said Acting Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Ian Brownlee.
Partners in Operation Sentinel will target all personnel and identifiable resources that transnational criminal organizations require to operate. Utilizing the full breadth of domestic and foreign authorities, data, analytic capability and capacity, Operation Sentinel will map the organizations’ networks; target their members, associates, and assets; and employ a series of targeted actions and sanctions against them. Examples of these actions include:
Revocation of travel documents
Suspension and debarment of trade entities
Freezing of bank accounts and other financial assets tied to TCO logistical networks.
Transnational criminal organizations pose significant dangers to migrants as they not only seek to profit from their exploitation but also have little regard for their wellbeing, exposing them to violent encounters, injury, and death. These organizations are complicit in sexual assaults, human trafficking, and abandonment of vulnerable migrants – including tender-aged children. In Fiscal Year 2020, Border Patrol located 250 migrants who died during their journey.
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MATTRESSES FROM CAMBODIA, CHINA, INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, SERBIA, THAILAND, TURKEY, AND VIETNAM INJURE U.S. INDUSTRY, SAYS USITC
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of mattresses from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the government of China.
Chair Jason E. Kearns, Vice Chair Randolph J. Stayin, and Commissioners David S. Johanson, Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping duty orders on imports of this product from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam and a countervailing duty order on imports of this product from China.
The Commission’s public report Mattresses from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-645 and 731-TA-1495-1501 (Final), USITC Publication 5191, May 2021) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available by May 24, 2021; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Mattresses from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-645 and 731-TA-1495-1501 (Final)
Product Description: In the industry, the term "mattress" generally means a resilient material or combination of materials generally enclosed by ticking that is intended or promoted for sleeping upon by people. Mattresses generally consist of (1) a core, (2) upholstery material, and (3) ticking. The core provides the main support system of the mattress. The core may consist of innersprings, non‐innerspring materials (e.g., foam), other resilient filling, or a combination of these materials. Read More→
https://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2021/er0421ll1758.htm
