The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements seeks comments by May 24 on a request by Canada to change the USMCA rules of origin for a fabric used in the production of fire hose. Canada says there is no commercial availability in the U.S., Canada or Mexico of “high-tenacity polyester yarn, single or multiple, multifilament, untwisted, untextured, and measuring more than 920 decitex, used in the production of fire hose, with or without lining, armor or accessories of other materials.” The yarn is classifiable in subheading 5402.20, and “end-use classification” for the fire hose is heading 5909.
A bipartisan bill led by a House Ways and Means Committee member would allow warehouses and brands located in foreign trade zones to send goods that were imported into the zones to consumers and have those packages qualify for de minimis treatment.
Former top officials in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative during the Trump and Biden administrations said there will be no return to a pre-Trumpian, pro-free trade philosophy, whether Joe Biden wins re-election this fall or Donald Trump returns to the White House in 2025.
Although all members of the House Ways and Means Committee supported a bill renewing the Generalized System of Preferences benefits program, the bill proceeded to the House floor on a split bipartisan vote of 17-24 as Democrats unsuccessfully called to include an extension of the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers program, which lapsed in 2022.
The U.S. on April 16 requested the establishment of a USMCA dispute settlement panel to consider its rapid response labor complaint against a Mexican call center, marking only the second time the U.S. has requested that a panel be formed, according to an April 16 news release from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
The International Trade Commission published notices in the April 15 Federal Register on the following AD/CVD injury, Section 337 patent or other trade proceedings (any notices that warrant a more detailed summary will be in another ITT article):
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 House Ways and Means Committee is set on April 17 to consider several just-introduced trade bills, including a retroactive extension of the Generalized System of Preferences benefits program, new restrictions on de minimis and restrictions on electric vehicle tax credits.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative seeks more comments on how USMCA rules of origin are affecting trade in automotive goods, as it compiles an annual report it will send to Congress by July 2025. USTR will hold a hearing on its investigation on Oct. 8, with requests to appear due Sept. 24 and prehearing briefs due Sept. 26. Post hearing briefs are due Oct. 16, and all other written submissions are due Nov. 18, USTR said. Automakers and their suppliers told USTR in comments on the agency’s 2024 report on the same issue that not having a form for certificate of origin has made compliance more difficult, among other things (see 2402050048).