Georgetown Law professor Jennifer Hillman, a former International Trade Commissioner and a former general counsel in the office of the U.S. Trade Representative, predicted that the Supreme Court may make a decision on the legality of reciprocal tariffs and other tariffs imposed via the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA. Hillman, who was speaking on a July 8 webinar about tariffs hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations, has been helping challengers to those tariffs, and she said there's "a very good chance that the legal challenges will at least temporarily derail the tariffs imposed under the [law]."
As promised, President Donald Trump posted screenshots of more form letters on reciprocal tariff rates for countries' products that will begin Aug. 1. The letters were aimed at small trading partners; the largest, the Philippines, was notified it would see a 20% rate, up from 17% in April.
Several FDA-regulated products previously exempt from partner government agency filing requirements when falling under the $800 de minimis threshold must now be reported to the FDA, “effective immediately,” CBP said in a cargo systems message issued July 9.
President Donald Trump posted a letter to Brazil's president, telling him: "Due in part to Brazil's insidious attacks on Free Elections and the fundamental Free Speech Rights of Americans," Brazilian exports will face a 50% reciprocal tariff on Aug. 1.
Harris Sliwoski, an international law firm, published a blog post noting that the mention in the Vietnam trade deal framework of 40% tariffs for "transshipped" goods from Vietnam is designed to reduce China's role in supply chains.
American Iron & Metal Co. (AIM), a Montreal-based scrap metal recycling company, has accused non-vessel operating common carrier Priva Logistics of New York state of preventing it from retrieving cargo shipped to India and Italy, according to a complaint filed with the Federal Maritime Commission.
The International Trade Commission published notices in the July 8 Federal Register on the following antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) injury, Section 337 patent or other trade proceedings (any notices that warrant a more detailed summary will be in another ITT article):
The International Trade Commission seeks comments by July 17 on a Section 337 complaint alleging that imports of pre-stretched synthetic braiding hair infringe patents held by JBS Hair Inc., it said in a notice to be published July 9. According to the complaint, JBS is seeking a general exclusion order and cease and desist orders against 19 U.S. companies to bar from entry "certain pre-stretched synthetic braiding hair and packaging therefor" that violate its patents. JBS said that its products represent the "highest quality 100% Human Hair, Human Hair Blend and Synthetic Fibers Extensions, Wigs and Braids in the beauty industry."
The International Trade Commission seeks comments by July 16 on a Section 337 complaint alleging that imports of mobile cellular communications devices infringe patents held by Pantech Corporation, it said in a July 8 notice. According to the complaint, Pantech is seeking a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders against OnePlus, Lenovo, Motorola, TCL Mobile, Tinno, HMD and their subsidiaries to bar from entry "certain mobile cellular communications devices" that violate its patents. Pantech described the products as "smartphones, tablets, and laptop computers that are compliant with LTE, LTE Advanced, and/or 5G cellular network standards."
The Commerce Department published notices in the Federal Register July 8 on the following antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) proceedings (any notices that announce changes to AD/CVD rates, scope, affected firms or effective dates will be detailed in another ITT article):