NORTH AMERICA

Annual Report by U.S. Commission Requests Assessment of Export Control Policy Toward Hong Kong

20 November 2018

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission’s most recent annual report recommends that the U.S. Congress direct the DOC and other relevant government agencies to prepare a report examining and assessing the adequacy of U.S. export control policy for dual-use technology as it relates to the U.S. treatment of Hong Kong and mainland China as separate customs areas. More

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Canada to Allow Relabelling of Medical Devices after Importation

19 November 2018

Canada has amended its regulations for medical devices to permit relabelling of devices after importation and clarify establishment licencing requirements for Class I medical device manufacturers and distributors of all device classes located outside Canada. More

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“Lame Duck” Legislative Session Begins in Washington

15 November 2018

Members of Congress will consider a number of important issues during the “lame duck” legislative session that began on 13 November. The most critical matter facing lawmakers is that only five of the 12 appropriations bills for the federal government have passed and funding for the agencies covered by the other seven bills expires on 7 December. More

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Authorisation for Food Contact Use of 26 Substances Proposed to be Withdrawn

15 November 2018

The FDA is accepting comments through 14 January 2019 on a petition to withdraw authorisation for the use of 26 ortho-phthalates in various food contact applications because these uses have been permanently abandoned. More

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Canada Adopts New Energy Efficiency Standards for Various Products

15 November 2018

The Canadian government has adopted a number of changes to its energy efficiency and labelling regulations in order to further improve the efficiency standards of various products, take further action against climate change, and reduce regulatory burdens through the alignment of regulatory requirements with the United States. More

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Legislation Introduced or Passed in the 115th U.S. Congress

13 November 2018

From 6 through 11 November 2018, members of the U.S. Congress did not introduce and/or approve any international trade-related bills that may have an impact on Hong Kong or mainland China. More

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U.S. Executive Calendar

13 November 2018

U.S. Executive Calendar as of 13 November 2018. Action: Preliminary determination due in ITA AD investigation of quartz surface products from China. More

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USTR Possibly Considering Labour-Based Section 301 Action Against Mainland China

13 November 2018

Early press reports indicate that USTR is considering the possibility of launching a labour-based Section 301 case against mainland China. If these press reports are accurate, USTR could choose to self-initiate such an investigation – as it did in August 2017 with respect to mainland China’s acts, policies and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property and innovation – or let U.S. labour unions pursue such a case on their own. More

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CBP Issues Guidance on Submitting Imports of Goods Excluded from Steel/Aluminium Tariffs

13 November 2018

CBP has provided certain information of potential interest on submitting imports of products excluded from the Section 232 additional tariffs on steel (25 percent) and aluminium (10 percent) products. More

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USDA Soybeans Report Highlights Falling Exports to Mainland China

13 November 2018

USDA’s November 2018 “Oilseeds” report indicates that the small quantities that were shipped after the imposition by Beijing of retaliatory duties have either been diverted to other markets (Vietnam, Singapore and South Korea) or are currently languishing off the coast of mainland China waiting to be discharged. More

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