The country of origin for Corning Optical Communications’ fiber optic cables is France, and as such, the cables aren't subject to Section 301 measures even though part of the manufacturing process occurred in China, a CBP ruling released earlier this month said.
Textile industry representatives questioned the logic of the Section 301 investigation on Nicaragua's human rights and labor rights violations, arguing that while they deplore the despotism of Nicaragua's leaders, none of the actions burden or restrict U.S. commerce. Rather, if the government were to decide that Nicaragua's violations merited the withdrawal of tariff benefits for its apparel exports, that action is what would burden U.S. commerce.
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., knocked down speculation that tariffs could be part of a tax-cut package in order to offset the costs of extending or expanding individual and business tax cuts passed eight years ago (see 2411120026).
CBP issued a proposed rule this week that could mandate the submission of more detailed electronic export manifest (EEM) data for cargo leaving the U.S. by rail, identify which parties should be submitting that electronic information, and set timelines for how soon that information would need to be submitted before the cargo leaves the country.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said his trade priorities for the next two years are supporting the negotiation of comprehensive free trade deals that expand market access for American producers, supporting the negotiation of digital trade rules and intellectual property protections, and reauthorizing key trade programs.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on Jan. 8 heard oral argument in the massive Section 301 litigation, primarily probing the litigants' positions regarding how to interpret the term "modify" in the statute and whether the statute allows the U.S. trade representative to impose duties in response to retaliatory measures from China (HMTX Industries v. United States, Fed. Cir. # 23-1891).
International Trade Today is providing readers with the top stories from last week in case they were missed. All articles can be found by searching on the titles or by clicking on the hyperlinked reference number.
The final rule requiring importers to electronically file the Consumer Product Safety Commission's Certificates of Compliance will be effective in stages in 2026 and 2027, according to a Federal Register notice.
President-elect Donald Trump, at a news conference in Mar-a-Lago Jan. 7, threatened substantial tariffs on Mexico and Canada over migration and drug smuggling issues, and had a lengthy list of complaints in particular about Canada.
CBP suspended multiple customs brokers from participating in the Entry Type 86 pilot in May, and officials who participated in a background interview recently with International Trade Today said some of those firms haven't been reinstated.