-
10/19/2020 – On October 1, Indonesia initiated a safeguard investigation on imports of articles of apparel and clothing accessories (HTS codes 6101, 6102, 6103, 6104, 6105, 6106, 6109, 6110, 6111, 6117, 6201, 6202, 6203, 6204, 6205, 6206, 6209, and 6214). For more information, see the investigation notice on the
Indonesian Trade Security Committee (KPPI) website and the WTO website.
-
10/06/2020 –
August 2020 Textile and Apparel Import Report
-
10/05/2020 – The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) requests comments that identify online and physical markets to be considered for inclusion in the 2020 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy (Notorious Markets List). The List identifies examples of online and physical markets that reportedly engage in and facilitate substantial copyright piracy or trademark counterfeiting. Written comments are due by November 8. See more details in the Federal Register notice.
-
09/18/2020 –
Limitations on Duty and Quota-Free Imports of Apparel Articles Assembled in Beneficiary Sub-Saharan African Countries under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
The new AGOA caps are for the one-year period from October 1, 2020-September 30, 2021.
-
09/11/2020 –The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) annually publishes the National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers (NTE report). USTR invites interested persons to submit written comments by October 29, 2020 to assist in identifying significant barriers to U.S. exports of goods, services, and U.S. foreign direct investment for inclusion in the 2021 NTE report. For more details, see the Federal Register notice 85 FR 55925.
-
08/25/2020 – The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input for a new investigation on COVID-19 related industry sectors and particular products. The investigation,
COVID-19 Related Goods: The U.S. Industry, Market, Trade, and Supply Chain Challenges, was requested by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Ways and Means and the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance. Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on September 11, 2020. The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record no later than 5:15 p.m. on October 2, 2020.
-
07/27/2020 –The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) seeks comments on a proposal to repeal the U.S. care labeling requirements for apparel and certain textile piece goods. Written comments must be received on or before September 21, 2020. For more information, see the Federal register notice (85 FR 44485) here.
-
07/17/2020 –The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed a new rule that would prohibit marketers from making unqualified “made in USA” claims on labels. The proposed rule would not change or affect any other existing federal or state law or regulation relating to country-of-origin labels (e.g., the Wool Labeling or Textile Labeling Rules) but would allow the FTC to seek civil penalties for violations. Get more details on the proposed rule and how to submit comments here.
-
07/17/2020 –The Department of Commerce, along with the Departments of State, the Treasury, and Homeland Security, issued a business advisory to highlight risks and considerations for businesses with supply chain exposure to entities engaged in forced labor and other human rights abuses in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region in the People’s Republic of China. Find more information and see the advisory here.
-
07/14/2020 – Following the Section 301 Investigation determination that France’s Digital Services Tax (DST) is unreasonable or discriminatory and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce, the U.S. Trade Representative announced that additional duties of 25 percent will be applied to certain products imported from France. Application of the additional duties on certain handbags and other products will be suspended for a period of up to 180 days, ending on January 6, 2021. See the notice of action
here.
-
06/29/2020 – The U.S. Trade Representative invites public comments with respect to the maintenance and imposition of additional duties on the specific products of EU member States (and the UK) in connection with its review of the Section 301 investigation involving the enforcement of U.S. WTO rights in the Large Civil Aircraft dispute. Comments are requested by July 26, 2020. See Federal Register notice
here.
-
05/23/2020 – Turkey Hikes Taxes on More Imports from the United States: Turkey announced that it has temporarily increased import taxes for a new set of products, including a 5-10 percent additional tax on many cotton and manmade fiber yarns and thread. According to the Official Gazette, the extra tax will be applied until the end of September, after which they will be replaced by a new set of additional taxes starting from October 1. See Decision 2565 published
here. In April, Turkey announced that effective April 21 through September 30, additional taxes of 35-50 percent would be applied on imports of most footwear, 35 percent on most apparel and travel goods, 20-25 percent on many yarns and fabrics, and 25 percent on most carpets and home textiles. See Decision 2429 published at here.
-
04/29/2020 – USTR Releases Annual
Special 301 Report on Intellectual Property Protection and Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy.
-
04/21/2020 – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a temporary rule allocating certain scarce or threatened materials for domestic use, so that certain personal protective equipment (N95 and other selected respirators, PPE surgical masks, and PPE gloves and surgical gloves) may not be exported from the United States without explicit approval by FEMA. See Federal Register notice
85 FR20195. Details on certain exemptions were published in 85 FR22021.
-
04/14/2020 – On March 23, 2020, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) solicited
comments and announced that the Trade Policy Staff Committee would hold a public hearing on a proposed U.S.-Republic of Kenya trade agreement. Consistent with guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning COVID-19, USTR is cancelling the public hearing. USTR is extending the deadline for written comments.