International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for April 27 - May 1 in case they were missed.
The International Trade Commission recently issued two rapid-fire updates to the 2020 Harmonized Tariff Schedule. Revision 8 to the HTS implemented the suspension of Generalized System of Preferences treatment for many products from Thailand in response to labor rights violations (see 1910280044), effective April 25. Also on that update, the ITC implemented extensions to list 1 Section 301 tariff exclusions under U.S. Note 20(j), as announced in an April 10 notice from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (see 2004080011). In Revision 9, issued April 29, the ITC implemented a new set of Section 301 exclusions for products on list 3, as announced in a USTR notice issued April 24 (see 2004230010). The exclusions are found under U.S. Note 20(xx), and filed under 9903.88.45.
CBP created Harmonized System Update (HSU) 2004 on April 27, containing 8,983 Automated Broker Interface records and 1,845 Harmonized Tariff Schedule records, it said in a CSMS message. The update includes recent Section 301 tariff exclusions. The update also covers changes to the Generalized System of Preferences benefits program, including the removal of Thailand from the program, which took effect April 25 (see 1910280044).
The National Association of Manufacturers is arguing that Section 301 tariffs should be lowered or at least suspended “to spur economic growth and job creation,” and, where Section 301 refunds were already due, accelerate the process. Speeding up tariff refunds and duty drawback payments would allow companies “to rehire and reinvest as soon as possible,” the trade group said.
The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of April 13-19:
The Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) was updated on April 20. The following headquarters rulings not involving carriers were modified on April 17 or April 20, according to CBP:
Trade groups that represent importers are asking that restrictions to the products eligible for the Generalized System of Preferences benefits program from Thailand be delayed. The groups said in a letter to President Donald Trump that the changes, scheduled for April 25, “would increase costs for American employers [that] already are struggling to maintain employment levels in response to shutdowns and falling demand around the world” brought on by COVID-19 pandemic response measures. They asked for at least a six-month delay.
The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of March 30 - April 5:
The annual U.S. Trade Agenda puts more emphasis on heralding past “America First” victories than setting up this year's agenda, but there are tidbits throughout the more-than-300-page report that give hints to what might come in trade. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said it “is hopeful that [the U.S.] can make more progress in the coming year than has been possible in prior years” in trade negotiations with the European Union.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is open to a panoply of requests related to the Generalized System of Preferences benefits program, with a deadline of the end of the day March 26 for petitions. Parties can ask USTR to modify the GSP status of countries because of those countries' practices; argue for or against GSP eligibility for products (either currently covered by GSP or not); argue against de minimis waivers for specific products; or argue for Competitive Need Limit (CNL) waivers. Submissions are preferred in electronic form here.