| Customs & International Trade Law Blog

Here is a recap of the latest customs and international trade news:     

Administration 

• President Trump told reporters that Section 232 tariffs on pharmaceuticals will start “probably at the end of the month.” 
• President Trump told reporters that the Administration would be sending a letter to 150 “small countries” notifying them of their new tariff rate. 
• President Trump announced a trade deal with Indonesia. A 19% tariff rate will apply to all Indonesian imports. 

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 

• CBP launched a new and improved Withhold Release Orders (WROs) and Findings Dashboard. The new dashboard displays active WROs or Findings issued by CBP from 1950 to the present and is updated as new WROs or Findings are issued. 
• CBP issued guidance on applying Section 232 auto tariffs on non-U.S. content for USMCA-qualifying imports of passenger vehicles and light trucks.  

United States Trade Representative (USTR) 

• USTR launched a Section 301 investigation on Brazilian policies that discriminate against American firms. Comments are due August 18. 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 

• The FDA announced that the agency is planning to revoke 52 food standards that are “obsolete and unnecessary.” Affected foods include canned fruits and vegetables, dairy products, baked goods, macaroni products, and other foods. This rule is set to take effect Sept. 22. 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

• Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security is launching two Section 232 investigations into imports of drones and polysilicon from China. Comments are due Aug. 6. 
• Commerce issued an antidumping order on Mexican tomatoes, set to take effect July 14.  

Court of International Trade (CIT) 

• The CIT heard oral arguments in a case brought by importer Detroit Axle against President Trump’s decision to end the de minimis exemption for Chinese goods. 

Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) 

• OFAC announced an $11,832,136 settlement with Interactive Brokers LLC (IB). The agreement settles IB’s potential civil liability for apparent violations of OFAC sanctions programs, including providing investment services to persons in Iran, Cuba, Syria, and Ukraine. 

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) 

Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) 

• The FMC released an updated version of its record of cases and decisions related to shipping violations. The document now incorporates significant decisions that took place throughout 2024. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

• The USDA announced no additional imports of specialty sugars beyond what U.S. international obligations dictate. In the announcement, the USDA said that the move advances the Administration’s America First Trade Policy and corrects the loss of market share U.S. sugar has experienced over the last 20 years. 

Congress  

• The Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act passed the U.S. Senate. The bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)  to develop a methodology to identify the country of origin of imported red snapper and some tuna species.  

International 

• The chief negotiator for the EU’s trade deal with the U.S. told reporters that they are very close to a deal, although there are still “quite large gaps” on some issues.