The only outstanding USMCA rapid response labor complaint, against Manufacturas VU, a Michigan-headquartered supplier of interior automotive trims, has been settled, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced.
The Commerce Department published notices in the Federal Register Sept. 14 on the following AD/CV duty proceedings (any notices that announce changes to AD/CV duty rates, scope, affected firms or effective dates will be detailed in another ITT article):
Micah Myers, former senior associate general counsel at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, joined Cozen O'Connor as a member of its Washington D.C. office, the firm announced. At USTR, Myers worked on various international trade negotiations, World Trade Organization disputes and proceedings as part of the USMCA labor enforcement team. Myers will advise clients on international trade issues including litigation, administrative proceedings and other matters, the firm said.
A trade group that represents firms that import Mexican produce fired back at a Florida delegation that had asked the U.S. trade representative to initiate an investigation against Mexican growers under Section 301 (see 2209090052).
All but five of Florida's 27 members of the House of Representatives and both Senators are asking U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to initiate a Section 301 investigation on Mexican exports of fruits and vegetables.
Forty-four House members, led by prominent trade skeptic Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., told the administration that they do not support the inclusion of eight of the 13 countries in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework negotiations, and that Congress and outside stakeholders should have "the opportunity to weigh in at the outset on proposals for specific negotiation objectives and, as negotiations continue, on draft text."
A complaint from Rethink Trade and SNITIS, a Mexican labor union, submitted in early August alleging that the management of BBB Industries de Mexico in Reynosa, Mexico, conspired with a captive union to rig a contract vote was not pursued by the U.S. government, Reuters reported. Previously, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative asked Mexico to investigate five other complaints brought under USMCA's rapid response labor mechanism. Four of those complaints have been resolved, and one, against Manufacturas VU, an auto parts plant in Piedras Negras, is still pending. The agency told Reuters there was not "sufficient, credible evidence of a denial of rights," so that's why it didn't go forward. USTR didn't comment.
CBP posted several documents ahead of the Sept. 14 Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) meeting:
Some companies said in recently submitted comments they used to benefit from Section 232 tariffs but no longer do. Others said they previously were able to mitigate the cost impact of Section 301 tariffs through exclusions, finding other suppliers or other trade benefits but can't anymore.
The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) for CBP will next meet remotely Sept. 14, CBP said in a notice. Comments are due in writing by Sept. 9.