In the Jan. 17-21 editions of the Official Journal of the European Union the following trade-related notices were posted:
Exports to China
The upcoming year will produce “record” results for U.S. agricultural exports as agreements with Japan and China take effect and as the U.S. Department of Agriculture aims to increase U.S. exports to countries “around the world,” Secretary Sonny Perdue said. Speaking during a Jan. 20 event hosted by the American Farm Bureau, Perdue said agriculture exports will significantly increase in 2020, particularly due to the phase one agreement with China (see 2001150073). “If you made 200 bushels this year, think about making 400 next year,” Perdue said. “We’re talking about doubling the number of [agricultural imports] that China has ever done throughout the whole agricultural sector.”
Export Compliance Daily is providing readers with some of the top stories for Jan. 13-17 in case you missed them.
China’s General Administration of Customs launched a “Smart Customs” initiative to incorporate “new-generation technologies to achieve smarter customs control,” according to a Jan. 16 press release. The initiative aims to better connect “all parties in the international supply chain,” the press release said.
The phase one “economic and trade agreement” the U.S. and China signed Jan. 15 will take effect in 30 days and can be terminated by either country with 60 days' written notice, the deal's text said. Phase one is “a big step toward normalizing our trading relationship with China,” the Consumer Technology Association said, but “market uncertainty remains until we see permanent tariff removal.” The National Retail Federation also welcomed phase one but said phase two “can’t come soon enough.”
The government of Canada issued the following trade-related notices as of Jan. 17 (note that some may also be given separate headlines):
China’s Ministry of Commerce released a Chinese version of the phase one U.S.-China trade deal on Jan. 16. The deal was signed Jan. 15 and includes a series of commitments by China to increase purchases of U.S. agricultural, manufacturing and energy-related goods (see 2001150073).
China’s General Administration of Customs recently announced that certain equipment, technology, components and spare parts are exempt from import tariffs, according to a Jan. 16 report from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The changes, which took effect Jan. 1, apply to goods that are imported for “self-use under contracts for domestic investment projects,” the report said. The items must also fall under the “encouraged” categories in China’s 2019 “Industrial Structure Adjustment Guidance Catalogue.” Although they are exempt from import tariffs, the goods remain subject to import-related value-added taxes, the report said.
China agreed to purchase a range of U.S. goods as part of the phase one deal signed Jan. 15, totaling about $200 billion worth of U.S. goods and services over the next two years. The deal covers a long list of agricultural products -- including pork, beef, processed meats, dairy and seafood -- along with increased Chinese imports of U.S. rice, energy products and $120 billion in purchases of U.S. manufactured goods this year.
China’s General Administration of Customs eliminated import inspection surveillance for certain fabrics, adult garments, textile machinery and cold-rolled steel, according to a Jan. 15 report from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The change took effect Jan. 1.