The first panel under the 11-member Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership was established last week by New Zealand, which is challenging Canadian tariff-rate quotas on dairy. Damien O’Connor, New Zealand's trade minister, said last year the TRQs are "against the rules of the CPTPP" and New Zealand's exporters "are not able to fully benefit from the market access that was negotiated under the agreement." The panel request was made in November.

Taiwan chip exports to China and Hong Kong decreased for a fourth consecutive month in February and fell 31.3% compared with the same period last year, the worst decline since 2009, Bloomberg reported March 19. The report said China’s market share of Taiwanese integrated circuit exports dropped to the lowest level since February 2019, and Taiwan’s global chip exports also decreased 17.3% in February compared with the same period a year ago. Exports to the U.S., however, increased 22.3%. The U.S. recently introduced a new set of export controls on semiconductor-related items and activities destined for or involving China (see 2210070049).

Singapore's Immigration & Checkpoints Authority will use paperless clearance of conventional cargo at all ICA Cargo Checkpoints starting March 31. To qualify for paperless clearance, drivers and traders "are strongly encouraged" to submit their Cargo Clearance Permit numbers and vehicle plate license number to ICA before the vehicle makes it to the checkpoint, the authority said March 16. Interested parties can apply for paperless clearance on the ICA website or mobile app.

China recently updated the list of products whose foreign production facilities are required to register under Decree 248, the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service said in a report this week. China removed from the list 239 products, including fresh and dried vegetables, spices and seasonings, certain grains, dried beans, lentils, coffee and more. But low lactose infant formula was added to the list. Under Decree 248, certain U.S. production facilities may be subject to revised customs and registration procedures before their products can enter China (see 2111040018 and 2110130022).

Japan initiated an expiry review of its antidumping duties on electrolytic manganese dioxide from China, the Ministry of Finance announced in a March 8 notice. Finance, along with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, launched the review after receiving a petition from Tosoh Hyuga Corp. and Tosoh Corp. The review will take one year during which the ministries will make a decision on whether to extend the duties, currently ranging from 34.3% to 46.5%, based on the likelihood of dumping recurring if the duty orders expire.

Thailand plans to restrict certain plastic waste imports this year ahead of a full ban beginning in 2025, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported March 7. The country will restrict plastic waste imports to “only 14 recycling plants in the country’s free trade zone” this year, with certain limits on import volumes. Next year, those plants will be allowed to import plastic waste at only “half capacity” and will face a complete ban in 2025, the report said. Exceptions may be granted case by case, the report said, and only if importers can prove the plastic is “critical to address production demand” and ensure the plastic can be used as “production raw material without being cleaned.”

The Singapore Customs TradeNet will undergo system maintenance March 19 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time, it said March 3. Singapore Customs advises users to avoid submitting applications during this time. This is in addition to the usual 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday maintenance.

China's Ministry of Commerce said this week the U.S. should immediately reverse its decision to add several Chinese entities to its Entity List (see 2303020083). The ministry said the move was "typical economic bullying" and China will take "necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies," according to an unofficial translation. The Entity List designations are an "excuse to practice unilateralism and protectionism," the ministry said.

Myron Brilliant, who leads the international division at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, asked Ambassador Nicholas Burns where the economic relationship with China is heading -- it's a trillion dollars worth of business, Brilliant noted, even with American businesses' concerns about discriminatory regulations and the effects of state-owned enterprises.

China's Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products held an export control compliance forum on Feb. 23, the Ministry of Commerce announced, according to an unofficial translation. Commerce Vice Minister Wang Shouwen said the Chinese government will look to further strengthen its guidance and assistance to businesses subject to export controls to safeguard their interests. He said the Chinese government actively backs international cooperation in export controls while promoting trade in controlled items.