The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of May 2-8:

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.

CBP violated the law when it imposed antidumping and countervailing duties, Section 301 China tariffs, merchandise processing fees and harbor maintenance fees on importer Richmond International Forest Products' (RIFP's) hardwood plywood imports since the entries were made in Cambodia and not China, the importer said. In three separate but very similar complaints filed at the Court of International Trade, RIFP argued that CBP ignored evidence revealing that the hardwood plywood was made in Cambodia, thereby abusing its discretion when it imposed a host of duties on the products (Richmond International Forest Products v. United States, CIT #21-00063, #21-00318, #21-00319).

The International Trade Commission will produce a report by March 15 next year on the economic impact of Section 301 and Section 232 tariffs on U.S. prices, trade and production in the industries most affected by the tariffs. The commission announced that it will hold a public hearing on July 21, and that requests to appear at that hearing should be filed by July 6. It also will accept written submissions on the topic through Aug. 24.

Sidley lawyer Ted Murphy says he doesn't expect a review of Section 301 tariffs to lead to a policy change on the tariffs, which cover about $300 billion worth of Chinese imports annually. He said that even though a review of the tariffs has to evaluate how effective the actions have been, and has to analyze how the tariffs have affected consumers, "if it ultimately concludes that the additional duties have been only mildly effective and/or have had a negative impact on U.S. interests (businesses and/or consumers), there is no requirement that the USTR take any action. As a result, we do not think that this effort is likely to present a meaningful opportunity for change." Murphy wrote those sentences in bold, for emphasis. Still, he said it is possible, given the messages from some corners of the administration that goods such as bicycles or apparel should not be facing higher tariffs, that "additional duties on certain non-strategic consumer goods may be lifted."

The International Trade Commission will produce a report by March 15 next year on the economic impact of Section 301 and Section 232 tariffs on U.S. prices, trade and production in the industries most affected by the tariffs. The commission announced that it will hold a public hearing on July 21, and that requests to appear at that hearing should be filed by July 6. It also will accept written submissions on the topic through Aug. 24.

IRobot cut full-year revenue guidance in its Wednesday Q1 earnings report on stunted growth in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. CEO Colin Angle cited higher inflation and lower consumer confidence in Europe and elsewhere stemming from the Russia-Ukraine war.

The following lawsuits were recently filed at the Court of International Trade:

Slightly more than half of senators want language instructing the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to reopen a broad exclusion process for China tariffs to make it into the compromise China package, according to a late-night vote May 4. Unlike most votes in Congress, support did not break down mostly along party lines. One independent who caucuses with Democrats and 23 Democrats, including Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., voted for the motion to instruct negotiators to include the language in the final bill; 29 Republicans, also voted for it, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Indiana's Todd Young, one of the original movers to get the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., asked for the motion, and he is also on the conference committee to blend USICA and the House China package. There were four senators absent from the vote.

TUCSON, Arizona -- As CBP develops its 21st Century Customs Framework, the role of the customs broker will change in ways that reflect the new era of economic competition and “national economic security” concerns, Brandon Lord, deputy executive director of CBP’s Office of Trade Policy and Programs, said May 3 at the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America annual conference.