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."

Lori Wallach, a long-time free-trade skeptic, urged listeners to her Rethink Trade podcast to call their members of Congress and say: "I am scared silly about the abuse of this outrageous de minimis loophole. What is the congressman going to do to close this loophole?"

The Fish and Wildlife Service is increasing civil penalties for violations of the laws and regulations it administers, including the Lacey Act and the Endangered Species Act, it said in a final rule. The annual increase for inflation raises penalties about 3.2% over those set in 2023, the FWS said.

The FTC is amending EnergyGuide labeling requirements for televisions to update the comparability ranges listed on the labels, the agency said in a final rule released Feb. 1. The final rule takes effect May 2.

The FTC is proposing changes to its EnergyGuide labeling regulations, including new requirements for EnergyGuide labels on air cleaners, clothes dryers, “miscellaneous refrigeration products” and portable electric spas. The proposed rule, released Feb. 1, also would modify existing labels for clothes washers, televisions and “several heating products,” including instantaneous gas water heaters and pool heaters. Under the proposal, manufacturers of some products -- including refrigerator/freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers, and air conditioners -- no longer would be required to affix an EnergyGuide label to the product itself but could instead ship the label along with the product. The retailer would be responsible for attaching the label. Manufacturers still would have to affix the label for showroom models. Comments are due April 2.

Japan, which suffered economic coercion from China earlier than any other country, is largely on the same page as the U.S. when it comes to supply chain resilience and restrictions on exports, but the two diverge in their attitudes about China's role in the global economy.

A retail analyst at the Center for Data Innovation, a think tank that promotes using data to form policymaking, says that while bills in Congress that would exclude China and mandate more data collection for de minimis shipments could be useful, "they do not address the root problem which is that Congress did not create the de minimis exemption so that high-volume sellers could avoid import duties and customs inspections."

The U.S. says its "mini deal" approach is better than traditional free trade deals, because of their speed and focus on current problems, and while two trade experts didn't dismiss FTAs as a 20th-century tool, they acknowledged those advantages mean mini deals are here to stay.