CBP is unable to provide support to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in reviewing Section 301 product exclusion requests during the partial federal government shutdown, and no more exclusions are expected while the funding impasse continues, said John Leonard, CBP executive director-trade policy and programs, during a Jan. 9 conference call with industry. CBP provides USTR with input and analysis on the feasibility of excluding individual products from the Section 301 tariffs. "That process is not happening" during the shutdown, he said. The USTR issued the first set of Section 301 product exclusions in December (see 1812240010), though CBP remains unable to implement the exclusions during the shutdown (see 1812310007).
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for Dec. 31 - Jan. 4 in case they were missed.
The packaging and dilution of perfume and cologne in China don't result in a change to the country of origin, CBP said in a Nov. 28 ruling (NY N301656). The colognes and perfumes therefore are not subject to the Section 301 tariffs on goods from China, the agency ruled. The ruling request came from Fantasia Accessories through Grunfeld Desiderio lawyer Kevin Leonard.
President Donald Trump celebrated revenue the U.S. is collecting from Trade Act Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods, noting progress in talks with China to reach a comprehensive trade agreement. "The United States Treasury has taken in MANY billions of dollars from the Tariffs we are charging China and other countries that have not treated us fairly," tweeted Trump Thursday. "In the meantime we are doing well in various Trade Negotiations currently going on. At some point this had to be done!"
The ongoing partial federal government shutdown is causing some confusion for the trade community on tariff classification. CBP’s last tariff update in the Automated Broker Interface came on Dec. 19 (see 1812190004), but the International Trade Commission has not yet issued its annual update to the online Harmonized Tariff Schedule (see 1901020021). Further complicating matters, a presidential proclamation making more changes to the HTS is now set for publication on Jan. 7 (see 1812270038).
President Donald Trump celebrated revenue the U.S. is collecting from Trade Act Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods, noting progress in talks with China to reach a comprehensive trade agreement. "The United States Treasury has taken in MANY billions of dollars from the Tariffs we are charging China and other countries that have not treated us fairly," tweeted Trump Thursday. "In the meantime we are doing well in various Trade Negotiations currently going on. At some point this had to be done!"
Despite partial government shutdown, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative continues “to conduct all operations,” including trade negotiations and enforcement activities, “using existing funds,” said the agency Friday. USTR Robert Lighthizer is the lead negotiator in talks with China on a comprehensive trade package that forestalled the imposition of 25 percent Trade Act Section 301 tariffs on the third tranche of Chinese imports, at least until March 2 (see 1812140045). “Big progress” is being made in the U.S.-China trade negotiations, tweeted President Donald Trump Saturday. “Just had a long and very good call with President Xi of China,” said Trump. “Deal is moving along very well. If made, it will be very comprehensive, covering all subjects, areas and points of dispute.”
Despite partial government shutdown, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative continues “to conduct all operations,” including trade negotiations and enforcement activities, “using existing funds,” said the agency Friday. USTR Robert Lighthizer is the lead negotiator in talks with China on a comprehensive trade package that forestalled the imposition of 25 percent Trade Act Section 301 tariffs on the third tranche of Chinese imports, at least until March 2 (see 1812140045). “Big progress” is being made in the U.S.-China trade negotiations, tweeted President Donald Trump Saturday. “Just had a long and very good call with President Xi of China,” said Trump. “Deal is moving along very well. If made, it will be very comprehensive, covering all subjects, areas and points of dispute.”
Despite partial government shutdown, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative continues “to conduct all operations,” including trade negotiations and enforcement activities, “using existing funds,” said the agency Friday. USTR Robert Lighthizer is the lead negotiator in talks with China on a comprehensive trade package that forestalled the imposition of 25 percent Trade Act Section 301 tariffs on the third tranche of Chinese imports, at least until March 2 (see 1812140045). “Big progress” is being made in the U.S.-China trade negotiations, tweeted President Donald Trump Saturday. “Just had a long and very good call with President Xi of China,” said Trump. “Deal is moving along very well. If made, it will be very comprehensive, covering all subjects, areas and points of dispute.”
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for 2018 in case they were missed.