| Customs & International Trade Law Blog

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

Administration  

• President Trump increased tariffs on all Chinese goods to 125%. CBP subsequently issued guidance implementing the new tariff. 
• President Trump paused reciprocal tariffs on all countries (except China) for 90 days. 
• President Trump signed an Executive Order titled “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance” that requires several agency heads to submit a Maritime Action Plan (MAP) within 210 days. 
• President Trump signed an Executive Order increasing tariffs applicable to postal shipments. The order increases the tariff on postal shipments from China and Hong Kong that would otherwise qualify for de minimis, to 90%, or $75 per package. On June 2, the flat rate will increase to $150. 
• At a press conference in the Oval Office, President Trump announced that tariffs on pharmaceuticals will be implemented “very soon.” 
• President Trump signed an Executive Order targeting the law firm Susman Godfrey. The order suspends the security clearances of members of the firm and directs a review of federal contracts held by the firm’s clients. 

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 

• CBP issued guidance stating that the exemption from reciprocal tariffs for goods in transit on the tariffs’ effective dates will only apply to goods entered before May 27. 
• CBP placed a WRO against Taepyung Salt Farm based on information that “reasonably indicates the use of forced labor.” 
• CBP released a Harmonized System Update on April 4, containing 27 Automated Broker Interface (ABI) records and 11 Harmonized Tariff Schedule records.  

Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) 

• BIS updated its Boycott Requester List, adding 30 parties and removing 18 entities. 

United States Trade Representative (USTR)  

• U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer testified in front of the Senate Finance Committee, where he was pressed on tariffs, non-tariff barriers, and more. 

Department of Commerce 

• The Commerce Department is beginning an antidumping investigation on polypropylene corrugated boxes from China and Vietnam, and a countervailing duty investigation of the same goods from China. 
• The Commerce Department announced it will suspend liquidation and impose antidumping duty cash deposit requirements on imports of corrosion-resistant steel products from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, Taiwan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. 

Court of International Trade (CIT)  

• The CIT rejected a Georgia woman’s  Skeeter-Jo challenge to four questions on the October 2021 customs broker license exam. The woman argued that the question had insufficient facts, but the judge disagreed, upholding the woman’s original exam score.  

World Trade Organization (WTO) 

• China opened a dispute at the World Trade Organization on the U.S. reciprocal tariffs, claiming that the duties violate the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and other WTO agreements. 

Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) 

• The FMC Chairman has tasked FMC staff with identifying options on how to address the role flags of convenience play in enabling avoidance of sanctions. 
• A FMC administrative law judge approved a confidential agreement to settle allegations by shipper Supply Source that Hong Kong-based carrier Orient Overseas Container Line Limited (OOCL) imposed unfair demurrage and detention charges. 

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)  

• USDA deputy secretary nominee Stephen Vaden testified in front of the Senate Agriculture Committee, where he was pressed on how new tariffs will impact the USDA and agriculture issues. 

Congress  

• A resolution to end reciprocal tariffs and a global 10% tariff was introduced on April 8. The resolution is expected to get a vote in the Senate after Congress returns from Easter recess.  

International News  

• China raised the tariff rate on U.S.-origin goods, from 34% to 84%, in response to President Donald Trump’s April 8 executive order raising reciprocal rates by 50%. 
• European Union member states voted to impose counter-tariffs in response to recent U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. The EU has not yet outlined what goods will be subject to the tariffs. 
• China’s State Council released a white paper on economic and trade relations with the U.S. The report criticized the U.S.’s imposition of tariffs and urged cooperation. 
• In a joint press conference with President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters that Israel is committed to eliminating the trade deficit with the United States.