USA

Congress Considers Various Legislative Initiatives of Potential Interest

24 September 2020

The U.S. Congress is considering legislative initiatives of potential interest to Hong Kong and mainland Chinese exporters dealing with such matters as mainland China’s permanent normal trade relations treatment and 100 percent scanning of commercial and passenger vehicles entering the United States at land border ports of entry. More

hktdc research

House Approves Legislation to Address Forced Labour Practices in the XUAR

24 September 2020

The House of Representatives on 22 September approved legislation to prohibit the importation of all goods, wares, articles and merchandise mined, produced or manufactured wholly or in part in the XUAR, or by persons working with the XUAR government for purposes of the “poverty alleviation” programme or the “pairing-assistance” programme which subsidises the establishment of manufacturing facilities in the XUAR. More

hktdc research

Section 301 Tariff Exclusions Expiring for 99 Products

22 September 2020

Nearly one hundred products imported from mainland China became subject to the Section 301 additional 25 percent tariff on List 1 and List 2 goods when their exclusions expired on 20 September. Exclusions are being extended for some products but only through 31 December. More

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WTO Rules Against U.S. Section 301 Tariffs

17 September 2020

A WTO dispute settlement panel ruled on 15 September that the United States’ imposition of additional tariffs on US$234 billion worth of imports from mainland China violated U.S. obligations under WTO rules. U.S. officials decried the decision, although it will likely have no practical effect. More

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WTO Panel: US Section 301 Tariff Measures Against China in Breach of its WTO Obligations

17 September 2020

The panel established by the Dispute Settlement Body of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) issued its report on 15 September concerning a complaint filed by China over the Section 301 tariff measures of the United States on certain Chinese goods, ruling that the challenged tariff measures of the United States are in infringement of its WTO obligations. More

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House Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans Express Concern About Belt and Road Initiative

15 September 2020

The Republican minority of the House Foreign Affairs Committee recently issued a report that claims that global investment and commercial efforts through Beijing’s “predatory” Belt and Road Initiative are negatively affecting many countries. More

hktdc research

Apparel, Cotton, Hair Products, Computer Parts from Mainland China Subject to New Detention Orders

15 September 2020

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued five new withhold release orders requiring the detention at all U.S. ports of entry of a range of mainland Chinese products. More

hktdc research

China Extends Tariff Exemption for First List of US Goods Excluded from Additional Tariffs

15 September 2020

The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced on 14 September (Announcement No. 8 [2020]) that the first list of the first batch of US goods excluded from additional tariffs will expire on 16 September according to Customs Tariff Commission Announcement No. 6 [2019]. More

hktdc research

Low-Value Shipments Could Become Subject to Section 301 Tariff

14 September 2020

Imported low-value goods shipped directly to U.S. consumers could become subject to Section 301 tariffs under a proposed rule being developed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This proposal could also result in such goods being assessed regular most-favoured-nation duties. More

hktdc research

White House Budget Office Focuses on U.S. Spending Related to Mainland China

09 September 2020

The White House Office of Management and Budget sent a memo on 27 August requiring all federal agencies to submit “cross-cutting data” on funding used for mainland China-related programmes. The “Strategic Competition with China Crosscut” reporting requirement will ostensibly be used to inform policymakers of Trump administration efforts to ensure that funding continues to reflect strategic priorities. More

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