The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on Nov. 29 released country-by-country reallocations of unused FY 2024 in-quota amounts for the tariff-rate quotas for imported raw cane sugar. "Based on consultation with quota holders, the U.S. Trade Representative has determined to reallocate 223,740 [metric tons raw value (MTRV)] of the original TRQ quantity from those countries that have stated they do not plan to fill their FY 2024 allocated raw cane sugar quantities," it said. Reallocated quantities are as follows: Argentina 15,592; Australia 30,098; Belize 3,989; Bolivia 2,901; Brazil 52,581; Colombia 8,703; Costa Rica 5,439; Ecuador 3,989; El Salvador 9,428; Eswatini (Swaziland) 5,802; Guatemala 17,406; Guyana 4,352; Honduras 3,626; Jamaica 3,989; Malawi 3,626; Mauritius 4,352; Mozambique 4,714; Panama 10,516; Peru 14,868; South Africa 8,340; Thailand 5,077; and Zimbabwe 4,352.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is seeking comments on a World Trade Organization complaint filed by Argentina in May. Argentina is challenging the U.S. antidumping duties on oil country tubular goods from the country, and in particular the final determination of dumping from the Commerce Department and the final injury determination by the International Trade Commission. Comments are due Dec. 22.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is inviting comments on how USMCA is working in the automotive goods arena, "including the implementation and enforcement of the USMCA rules of origin for automotive goods" and whether the accord's automotive provisions "are effective in light of technological and production advances." Comments can be submitted through Jan. 17 in docket number USTR-2023-0013.

The U.S. has asked Mexico to investigate whether there were coercive statements that interfered with worker rights at the Autoliv Steering Wheels Mexico facility in El Marqués. The U.S. also alleges there were workers fired in retaliation for union activity, and that union organizers weren't given access to the factory.

A joint statement by the leaders of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework countries said the trade pillar has made progress, and the White House said they will continue negotiations "to facilitate trade, advance workers’ rights through strong and enforceable labor standards, strengthen environmental protections, align our regulatory procedures, promote a fair and inclusive digital economy, deepen our technical assistance and economic cooperation, and advance inclusivity in our trade policy."

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said she discussed the next steps for negotiations on the global arrangement on steel and aluminum with her EU counterpart, Valdis Dombrovskis, and said she updated France's Foreign Trade Minister Olivier Becht on the negotiations. Her Oct. 28 readout of the meeting with Becht said she "noted the importance of both sides continuing to work together in a productive manner over the next several months. She reiterated the United States’ commitment to remain at the negotiating table in order to reach a meaningful outcome."

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced that it is seeking Mexico’s review of a labor rights complaint directed against a Tecnologia Modificada plant in Nuevo Laredo. Liquidation will be suspended for entries from the plant until further notice.

The Commerce Department and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said the fifth negotiating round for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, held in Malaysia Oct. 15-24, made progress "towards high-standard outcomes" in trade, clean economy and fair economy pillars. "Officials also continued discussions on next steps for the proposed IPEF Supply Chain Agreement (Pillar II) following substantial conclusion of negotiations in May and public release of the text on September 7th," their readout said.

The U.S asked Mexico to review whether there were labor violations at Asiaway Automotive Components Mexico, a Chinese-headquartered firm that does die casting and machining of aluminum parts in San Luis Potosi. According to Asiaway's website, the factory just opened in June this year, and another expansion is planned, until the factory has 1,700 workers. At that point, the company expects to have $800 million in annual sales from the site.

Manufacturas VU, the only manufacturer in Mexico to be subject to two rapid response complaints on labor rights, is closing and will have no more operations in Mexico, the U.S. government said.