U.S. retailers will move their supply chains out of Africa and into Asia should Congress not renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act or change the third-country fabric provision for the region, according to trade groups representing domestic U.S. apparel retailers.
The Commerce Department is imposing preliminary antidumping duties of 93.5% on certain imports of Chinese graphite, a key material used in electric vehicle batteries.
Witnesses at a July 15 House hearing called for tariff measures to reduce Chinese dominance of critical mineral supply chains, with former Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., saying that tariffs on China were necessary to "protect strategic industries by penalizing bad actors and keeping the U.S. prices competitive."
The trade negotiation letters that have been coming out of the White House could chill potential dealmaking as countries see the lack of benefit in negotiating with President Donald Trump, according to former senior U.S. trade negotiators speaking during a panel discussion. Unimpressed by the pace and scope of current dealmaking, they argued that the breadth of areas that Trump wants to address with tariff solutions may weaken his ability to get what he wants.
Vietnam and the Philippines are the Southeast Asian countries closest to a trade deal with the U.S., said a former assistant U.S. trade representative on a webinar hosted by the Asia Program of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on June 17.
A report on forced labor in critical mineral supply chains identified "major entities" operating in the Xinjiang province of China and documented evidence of their involvement in labor transfer programs of Uyghurs from the region. The report also highlighted the risk that products made by those entities have entered the global market over the previous two years.
The International Trade Commission has ended another Section 337 investigation on imports from Ericsson (ITC Inv. No. 337-TA-1388), it said in a June 11 notice. Complainant Motorola initially alleged in 2024 that Ericsson was importing cellular base station equipment that infringes on patents held by Motorola (see 2401240041).
U.S. domestic manufacturers voiced lukewarm support for trade action, but unanimous concern about the potential scope of the investigation on Section 232 tariffs on imports of critical minerals, in public comments to the Bureau of Industry and Security.
Widespread problems with transmitting foreign-trade zone entries are one of several technical problems that plague customs brokers and compliance managers as the effects of the Trump administration's rapid policy changes make themselves felt. Compounding the difficulties is the administration's decision to pull back from engagement with the trade industry through its Trade Support Network and the cancellation of bi-weekly ACE calls.
The International Trade Commission has ended two Section 337 investigations on imports from Ericsson (ITC Inv. No. 337-TA-1397) and Motorola (ITC Inv. Nos. 337-TA-1375, -1397), it said in June 3 notices. Complainant Ericsson initially alleged in 2023 that Lenovo and Motorola were importing 5G-capable mobile phones that infringe on four of Ericsson's patents (see 2311170062). Complainant Motorola initially alleged in 2024 that Ericsson was importing cellular base station equipment that infringes on patents held by Motorola (see 2404150074).