Former President Donald Trump defended his proposal to increase tariffs on all imports by 10% (see 2308290005), saying it would incentivize American and foreign companies to build factories in the U.S. instead of other countries.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is removing the Florida golden aster (Chrysopsis floridana), a "short-lived perennial," from the Endangered Species List, it said in a final rule released March 4. An FWS review indicated that “threats to the species have been eliminated or reduced to the point that the species has recovered and no longer meets the definition of an endangered or threatened species," the agency said. The delisting takes effect April 4.

Three domestic manufacturers filed a petition Feb. 28 asking the International Trade Commission to conduct a Section 201 safeguard investigation on imports of polyester staple fiber.

The Federal Maritime Commission added Hede (Hong Kong) International Shipping and removed COSCO Shipping Lines (Europe) from its list of controlled carriers, the agency said in a Feb. 26 notice.

The Border Trade Alliance urged House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., in a Feb. 26 letter, to work with his congressional colleagues to prevent a lapse in appropriations for federal agencies in early March, saying a government shutdown would “exacerbate an already precarious situation at the U.S. southern border.”

The National Marine Fisheries Service released a final rule Feb. 20 to list the Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. New import and export restrictions established by the final rule take effect March 22.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is issuing a final rule listing a subspecies of silverspot butterfly from Colorado, New Mexico and Utah (Speyeria nokomis nokomis) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The listing includes a 4(d) rule for this species that prohibits importation and exportation without a permit. New import and export restrictions set by the agency’s final rule take effect March 18.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is listing the queen conch (Aliger gigas) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, it said in a final rule released Feb. 13. While the agency isn't setting import or export restrictions at this time, it said it intends "to propose protective regulations to conserve queen conch throughout its range in the future," including possible import and export prohibitions or restrictions.

The Department of Energy is setting new energy efficiency standards for consumer conventional cooking products, including cooktops, ranges and ovens, it said in a direct final rule released Feb. 13. Compliance with the new standards will be required by Jan. 31, 2028.

The Border Trade Alliance encouraged Republican governors to work with the federal government to "pursue a border that is defined by security and efficient trade." The BTA, in a letter to Republican Governors Association Chairman Gov. Bill Lee of Tennessee that was also sent to 24 other Republican governors, said it is specifically worried about "a federal-state standoff that risks disruptions to legitimate cross-border trade and travel."