The National Council of Textile Organizations is asking the incoming Joe Biden administration to create a stable market for domestic production of medical gloves, gowns, masks and face shields, both by requirements and supporting demand. The Berry Amendment, which covers military uniforms, should apply to federal purchases of medical protective gear purchases, CEO Kim Glas said Dec. 3 in a news release. She also said the federal government should sign long-term federal contracts for personal protective equipment, or PPE.
Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, criticized the Democratic approach to the Generalized System of Preferences benefits program renewal after Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., introduced a six-month extension that would change eligibility requirements (see 2012080049). “This is a surprise, and not a welcome one, at this point in the negotiations,” Brady said the evening of Dec. 8. “While I respect the view of Democrats that changes are needed to the program, I support a clean extension that allows us to consider changes under regular order.” Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, introduced an 16-month clean GSP renewal, but Democrats in the Senate do not support it, as they prefer an approach that requires higher standards from beneficiary countries.
Democrats and at least one Republican in the House have objected to products included in the next Miscellaneous Tariff Bill, a lobbyist interested in MTB told International Trade Today, complaining about both inputs and consumer goods. Many of the petitions that drew objections were in textiles and apparel, he said. He said he's seen “a couple dozen” items that members want removed, but said he doesn't know if there are more objections.
Following reports that President-Elect Joe Biden will be nominating House Ways and Means Chief Trade Counsel Katherine Tai for U.S. Trade Representative, Trade Subcommittee Chairman Earl Blumenauer hailed the decision.“This is a fantastic pick from President-elect Biden. Katherine Tai has played an invaluable role leading the Ways and Means staff while working with members and outside groups on the renegotiated NAFTA and other critical trade issues," said Blumenauer. "She’s knowledgeable, patient, creative, and will be the first woman of color to hold this important job."
The U.S. and Ecuador signed a phase one trade agreement that goes beyond the World Trade Organization's Trade Facilitation Agreement with requirements for online publication of customs information and customs brokers requirements; duties and fees; electronic submission of customs declaration and phytosanitary certificates; a single window for import and export; and advanced rulings that cover classification, valuation, origin, and application of quotas. Ecuador also agreed to no penalties on minor errors, unless they're part of a consistent pattern, and a procedure to correct errors without penalties.
Claims that a ban on single-use plastics is a trade restriction prohibited in the USMCA are wrong, seven Democratic senators, led by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., wrote to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Canada Trade Minister Mary Ng. The senators' Dec. 7 letter said the industry groups incorrectly argue the ban “would not be based on sound science. In fact, the science clearly shows the detrimental impact of single-use plastics. An estimated 11 million metric tons of plastic waste enters the oceans each year.”
House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., introduced a bill that would add eligibility requirements to the Generalized System of Preferences benefits program, including whether the country either has established, or is making continual progress toward establishing, “the rule of law, political pluralism, the right to due process, a fair trial and equal protection under the law,” and whether those countries are working to “reduce poverty, increase the availability of health care and educational opportunities,” among other goals, including combating corruption. It also would predicate eligibility on whether a country effectively enforces its environmental laws and regulations, and is fulfilling its international environmental obligations, including those related to public health.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said that he hopes that a technical fixes bill for USMCA can pass this month, but its passage is hung up on whether goods manufactured in foreign-trade zones should be able to benefit from USMCA if those goods meet the rules of origin.
China's attempts at using economic tools, such as export controls on rare earth minerals or punishing imports from Australia, have only been somewhat successful, according to Maximilian Ernst, the speaker on the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies webinar Dec. 7, called “How to Respond to China’s Carrots and Sticks? Prospects of a Transatlantic Response to Chinese Economic Coercion.” Ernst is researching Chinese coercion for a Ph.D.
More than 200 businesses and trade groups, led by the National Association of Manufacturers, are asking House and Senate leadership to include a renewal of the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill in the spending bill Congress is working to pass this month. The omnibus appropriations bill, which covers the fiscal year that began Oct. 1, is attracting lobbying on many trade priorities, including the alcohol excise tax reduction for small producers, the Generalized System of Preferences benefits program, and more.