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Brian Bradley

Based in Washington, D.C., Brian covers international trade policy for American Shipper and FreightWaves. In the past, he covered nuclear defense, environmental cleanup, crime, sports, and trade at various industry and local publications.
Sep - 2019 -
11 September
Brian Bradley

Trump announces two-week delay to planned China tariff increase

The announcement comes after Beijing announced its first round of tariff exemptions for U.S. goods earlier in the day.

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Brian Bradley

China announces first tariff exemptions on US goods

China’s Finance Ministry on Sept. 11 announced the first round of exemptions of U.S. goods from Chinese retaliatory tariffs. The exemptions will be effective from Sept. 17 to Sept. 16, […]

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10 September
Brian Bradley

GAO releases yearly report on conflict minerals regulation compliance

Almost all companies required to conduct due diligence to determine the countries of origin for conflict minerals used in their products did so last year, according to a Government Accountability […]

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09 September
Brian Bradley

NAFTA panel issues split ruling on ITC softwood lumber decision

A NAFTA binational antidumping and countervailing duty dispute panel on Sept. 4 issued a decision upholding the U.S. International Trade Commission’s (ITC’s) finding that imports of softwood lumber from Canada […]

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06 September
Brian Bradley

In UK, Pence pushes for trade deal

Vice President Mike Pence on Sept. 5 in London made the case for a post-Brexit U.S.-United Kingdom trade agreement, asserting that such a deal could triple or quadruple bilateral trade. […]

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05 September
Brian Bradley

Senator’s white paper suggests distributed ledger to stop trade-based money laundering

A white paper released Sept. 4 by Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., raises concern with the ability of the federal government to combat trade-based money laundering (TBML) and suggests that a […]

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04 September
Brian Bradley

Mnuchin, French counterpart hope for early 2020 international tax deal

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire on Sept. 3 stated a shared commitment for their countries to work constructively on a solution to international taxation […]

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Brian Bradley

Attempt to smuggle 53 pounds of meth results in arrest at Arizona port of entry

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers arrested a 24-year-old woman on Sept. 2 at the Port of Lukeville, AZ, for attempting to smuggle 53 pounds of methamphetamine from Mexico to […]

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03 September
Brian Bradley

China to file WTO dispute over latest US tariffs

China will file a dispute at the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding U.S. tariffs across approximately $263 billion worth of goods from China in annual import value, China’s Commerce Ministry […]

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Aug - 2019 -
30 August
Brian Bradley

USTR accepting comments on foreign trade barriers

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is accepting comments through Oct. 31 on foreign barriers to exports of U.S. goods and services, U.S. direct foreign investment, and protection […]

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28 August
Brian Bradley

USTR releases notices to up China tariffs across $550 billion worth of goods

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has released notices for publication in the Federal Register to increase tariffs across almost all imports from China. One notice would increase […]

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27 August
Brian Bradley

Macron says digital tax deal with US reached while Trump deflects

French President Emmanuel Macron on Aug. 26 claimed that the U.S. and France reached a deal regarding France’s digital tax framework, after the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative started […]

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26 August
Brian Bradley

ITC amending rules for miscellaneous tariff bill submissions

The commission will publish a final rule in the Federal Register on Aug. 27 requiring more information from petitioners.

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23 August
Brian Bradley

COAC recommends bill to boost imports from Northern Triangle

The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) Rapid Response Subcommittee on Aug. 21 proposed that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) support a “Northern Triangle Trade and Job Promotion Act” to […]

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Brian Bradley

China to impose $75 billion in retaliatory tariffs

China will impose additional tariffs on U.S. imports worth about $75 billion in response to a forthcoming fourth tranche of U.S. tariffs across about $262 billion worth of goods from […]

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22 August
Brian Bradley

Carriers should be liable in bond for multimodal shipments, COAC says

The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) on Aug. 21 approved a recommendation for Customs and Border Protection to allow carriers to assume liability for initial in-bond shipments, where the […]

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20 August
Brian Bradley

USTR requests comments for 2019 Notorious Markets List

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is requesting written comments identifying online and physical markets to be considered for inclusion in USTR’s 2019 Notorious Markets List, the agency said. […]

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16 August
Brian Bradley

Customs systems back online after outage at airports nationwide

U.S. Customs and Border Protection systems at airports nationwide encountered an unexpected outage Friday afternoon, leaving passengers waiting in extremely long lines, according to multiple news outlets. “CBP is experiencing […]

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Brian Bradley

CBP to start live testing blockchain in IPR arena

Customs and Border Protection late this month will start live testing for blockchain’s applicability to intellectual property rights (IPR) enforcement, according to a document posted online in preparation for the […]

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Brian Bradley

US-China row takes place at WTO

As the U.S.-China trade war intensified with the Trump administration announcing more tariffs, the two countries clashed in two disputes this week at the World Trade Organization (WTO). During a […]

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Brian Bradley

ATA happy 53-foot containers dumped from tariff list

American Trucking Associations (ATA) praised the fact that 53-foot intermodal containers won’t be subject to the next round of Section 301 tariffs on China. The Office of the U.S. Trade […]

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15 August
Brian Bradley

FDA hopes to spark new anti-smoking labels

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a proposed rule to establish new required health warnings for cigarette packages and advertisements, which would apply to imports, the agency said. […]

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Brian Bradley

Restrictions on archaeological imports from Algeria take effect

Customs and Border Protection and the Treasury Department on August 15 issued a final rule to impose import restrictions on certain archaeological material from Algeria. Effective immediately, the rule amends […]

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14 August
Brian Bradley

Annual hearing on China’s WTO compliance scheduled

The interagency Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) is accepting comments and will hold a hearing to help inform the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) annual report to Congress […]

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Brian Bradley

Comments sought on proposed chemical trade restrictions

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is seeking public comment on the commercial impacts of the proposed addition of five chemical families to Schedule 1 of the “Annex on […]

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13 August
Brian Bradley

Proposed rule would require brokers to verify importer IDs

Customs and Border Protection is publishing a proposed rule to require customs brokers to collect certain information from importers to enable the brokers to verify the identity of importers, including […]

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Brian Bradley

Updated import rules for ozone-damaging chemicals proposed

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to update standards for hydrochlorofluorocarbons, including import requirements. EPA announced that its proposed updates include requiring electronic reporting for importers and exporters; improving the […]

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Brian Bradley

USTR delaying tariffs on phones, laptops from China

Some tech goods, including cellphones, laptops and video game consoles, won’t be subject to Section 301 tariffs when a new round takes effect September 1.

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12 August
Brian Bradley

CBP to start ACE de minimis test

Customs and Border Protection will conduct a test to examine new functionalities for de minimis entry filings in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) beginning no earlier than September 28, CBP […]

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09 August
Brian Bradley

Agencies propose to expand acquisitions for overseas small businesses

The Defense Department (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to support the Small Business Administration’s […]

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08 August
Brian Bradley

International convention to consider wildlife trade proposals

The 183 parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) will adopt decisions and resolutions to expand and strengthen the global wildlife […]

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07 August
Brian Bradley

CBP should update internal policies for inspections, GAO says

DHS concurred with the four recommendations made by the congressional watchdog agency.

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Brian Bradley

Exclusions for second and third China tariff tranches issued

Plastic containers, polyester yarn, steel pet cages and lawn care equipment are among the goods excluded.

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06 August
Brian Bradley

Treasury says China manipulating currency

The U.S. will engage with the IMF to eliminate the cited unfair advantage created by the alleged devaluation of China’s currency.

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Brian Bradley

Witnesses oppose tariffs in Airbus dispute

Most industry representatives testified against tariffs proposed against the EU in retaliation for subsidies provided to Airbus.

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Brian Bradley

Deal to allow more US beef exports to EU

The deal reached in Washington on Friday will allow the U.S. to nearly triple its beef exports to Europe.

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01 August
Brian Bradley

New rules to roll out for strollers, fridges

Updated CPSC policies on stroller safety and refrigerator certificates are expected to be published in the Federal Register on Friday.

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Jul - 2019 -
31 July
Brian Bradley

Democrat presidential hopefuls talk trade

Tariffs and USMCA were among the topics discussed during Tuesday night’s presidential debate.

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Brian Bradley

Senators express concern over USMCA de minimis footnote

A small business exporter highlighted the benefits she has reaped from de minimis exemptions during a Senate Finance Committee hearing Tuesday.

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29 July
Brian Bradley

CBP to block Peruvian firm’s timber exports

The action directed by USTR follows discovery of harvested timber in the company’s supply chain.

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Brian Bradley

House Democrat working group sends USMCA report to Pelosi

The working group laid out specific proposals in the areas of labor, the environment, enforcement and pharmaceuticals.

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24 July
Brian Bradley

House shows support for Israel

Among the Democrats voting against the bill were Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, as well as House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Earl Blumenauer of Oregon.

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23 July
Brian Bradley

USDA allows raspberry imports from Morocco

Morocco expects to export 200 to 500 metric tons of fresh raspberries to the continental U.S. yearly.

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19 July
Brian Bradley

US lawmakers gather USMCA details in Mexico

The congressional delegation trip caps off an active week on Capitol Hill regarding consideration of the new NAFTA.

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18 July
Brian Bradley

‘Missed opportunity’ at G20 summit

A multilateral steel group mandate was not renewed in Japan, says the deputy director of the National Economic Council during a think tank discussion Wednesday.

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Brian Bradley

Senators: Block forced labor cocoa imports

Sherrod Brown and Ron Wyden urge Customs and Border Protection to issue a withhold release order to prevent such imports from entering U.S. commerce.

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17 July
Brian Bradley

CBP making gains on fentanyl trafficking

A House subcommittee told Tuesday CBP fentanyl seizures thus far in FY19 equal all of FY18.

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Brian Bradley

WTO: US violated trade rules

The World Trade Organization Appellate Body finds against prior U.S. CV duties on China.

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16 July
Brian Bradley

Trump issues ‘Buy American’ order

The president’s executive order sets the stage for higher domestic content requirements for federal procurements and a threshold for iron and steel products.

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15 July
Brian Bradley

Trump won’t curb uranium imports

The president opted instead to direct the establishment of a working group to examine the U.S. nuclear fuel supply.

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12 July
Brian Bradley

Merit of US pushback against China debated

Trade experts tackled the bilateral trade war, which has lasted for more than a year, during a panel discussion Wednesday.

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11 July
Brian Bradley

USTR starts Section 301 review of planned French digital tax

The action could result in trade remedies, including tariffs, if the U.S. finds that France is engaging in unfair commercial practices.

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10 July
Brian Bradley

Commerce seeks comments for counterfeits report

Planned for this fall, submission of the report will follow an April presidential memorandum requiring the departments of Commerce and Homeland Security to send a report focusing on the extent […]

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Brian Bradley

Grassley indicates fall as possibility for USMCA vote

Several stakeholders, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, had called for a vote before the August recess.

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09 July
Brian Bradley

USTR consults South Korea over competition procedures

USTR has called for South Korea to improve its procedures for competition hearings held by the Korea Fair Trade Commission.

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08 July
Brian Bradley

Senate Commerce to mark up blockchain bill this week

The Senate Commerce Committee is scheduled on Wednesday to mark up a bill that would establish a blockchain working group aimed at determining potential applications for blockchain, including in federal […]

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05 July
Brian Bradley

BIS annual conference next week

Sanctions, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. and Section 232 will be among the topics covered.

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03 July
Brian Bradley

US, Tunisia ink Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement

The agreement provides for information exchange and better enforcement of customs laws in both countries.

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Brian Bradley

State adds Gabon eligibility for rough diamond trade

The West African country will join a list of countries eligible to trade in rough diamonds under the Clean Diamond Trade Act.

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Brian Bradley

Firms exempted from CV duties on Canadian softwood

Customs and Border Protection will refund all cash deposits of estimated countervailing duties collected on those shipments.

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02 July
Brian Bradley

Relaxed standards of fill for wine, spirits on the table

Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau published separate notices of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register on Monday.

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Brian Bradley

Second proposed tariff list released in EU aircraft case

The imposition of any tariffs depends on whether a WTO arbitrator determines the U.S. may take countermeasures.

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01 July
Brian Bradley

E-commerce and Type 86 pilots coming soon

Customs is using the pilots to get more information on nontraditional supply chain actors, a senior CBP official said during a conference last week.

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Jun - 2019 -
28 June
Brian Bradley

Panelists optimistic about USMCA ratification

There have been positive signs from both Democrats and Republicans regarding the trade pact’s prospects of passage, attorneys said during a conference on Thursday.

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26 June
Brian Bradley

USMCA conversation intensifies on Capitol Hill

A coalition of interest groups held a “day of action” on the trade pact as lawmakers heard testimony regarding Mexico’s recently passed labor reform legislation.

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25 June
Brian Bradley

Georgia senators urge no China tariffs on cranes

The ship-to-shore cranes had been removed from List 3 of Section 301 tariffs on China but were later added to proposed List 4.

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Brian Bradley

Supreme Court rejects case seeking to halt 232 tariffs

Tariffs on steel will remain in place after the court declined to review an American Institute for International Steel case challenging the president’s constitutional authority.

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24 June
Brian Bradley

USTR to open e-portal for List 3 exclusion requests

Starting Sunday the electronic portal will be available to seek exclusions from Section 301 tariffs on $200 billion worth of goods from China.

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Brian Bradley

Hiring of CBP officers significantly increases

Bonuses help attract officers in hard-to-fill locations, senior official says.

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21 June
Brian Bradley

US work on USMCA encourages Mexican ambassador

State-to-state dispute settlement issue potentially could be solved through an exchange of letters, says executive of Mexican business association.

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20 June
Brian Bradley

House Dems say they’ll work in good faith on USMCA

“We should work collaboratively for … passage of a trade agreement that creates jobs, protects workers and consumers,” said Rep. Mike Thompson of California.

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19 June
Brian Bradley

Lighthizer commits to work with Democrats on USMCA

The U.S. trade representative appeared before the Senate Finance Committee Tuesday on the first day of congressional hearings on the Trump administration’s trade agenda.

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18 June
Brian Bradley

Chamber pushes USMCA vote before August recess

U.S. Chamber of Commerce officials on Monday said several factors indicate that the effort to secure U.S. approval of the pact recently has gained momentum.

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17 June
Brian Bradley

ITC launches Africa trade investigation

The agency anticipates submitting the report to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative by March 31.

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14 June
Brian Bradley

Kudlow: Trade war will hurt China more than US

The National Economic Council director said at an event in Washington Thursday that the ongoing bilateral tit for tat will have minimal economic impacts on U.S. consumers.

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13 June
Brian Bradley

USTR grants exclusions from duties on solar cells

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative grants a second round of exclusions from Section 201 global safeguard duties on solar cells covering three products.

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12 June
Brian Bradley

Senate Finance clears ITC nominations

The committee’s favorable reporting of the nominees clears the way for the full Senate to consider confirmation of Amy Karpel and Randolph Stayin.

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Brian Bradley

Urgency of passing USMCA ‘cannot be overstated’

A House Agriculture Committee panel heard testimony from Trump administration ag officials during a hearing that widely touched on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

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10 June
Brian Bradley

Brokers relieved tariffs on Mexican goods suspended

President Trump agreed to indefinitely suspend threatened tariffs against Mexico after a deal aimed at stemming the flow of illegal migration to the United States was reached.

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07 June
Brian Bradley

BIS to roll out new 232 exclusion request portal

Thursday will be the last day the current Regulations.gov system will accept totally new requests for exclusions from Section 232 measures on steel and aluminum.

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06 June
Brian Bradley

State debars Arms Export Control Act violators

The federal agency announces the names of 168 individuals and entities banned from exporting defense articles that require a State Department license.

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Brian Bradley

State debars Arms Export Control Act violators

The federal agency announces the names of 23 individuals and entities banned from exporting defense articles that require a State Department license.

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05 June
Brian Bradley

Analyst: U.S. losing focus on goal of talks with China

As the administration ratchets up Section 301 tariffs on China, it appears it is directing less attention to the overarching goal of balancing the trade relationship, a witness said.

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04 June
Brian Bradley

Final rule to further restrict air, vessel travel to Cuba

Effective Wednesday, the rule will amend the Export Administration Regulations’ aircraft, vessels and spacecraft license exception.

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03 June
Brian Bradley

Trump removes India from GSP

The action was taken after the Trump administration determined that India failed to provide the U.S. with fair market access.

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Brian Bradley

USTR grants more Section 301 exclusions

The exclusions on such products as oil pumps, forklifts, garage door openers and medical equipment will be retroactive to July 6 and extend through June 4, 2020.

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01 June
Brian Bradley

Brokers warn of serious impacts if Mexico tariffs take effect

There was a significant outcry among customs brokers at the southern border after President Trump tweeted last week that he plans to impose tariffs on all goods from Mexico to […]

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May - 2019 -
31 May
Brian Bradley

Key USMCA step taken as Trump announces tariffs on Mexico

The administration sent to Congress a draft statement to propel USMCA implementing legislation Thursday, the same day Trump tweeted he plans to impose tariffs on Mexico.

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30 May
Brian Bradley

China not named currency manipulator in report

Japan, Germany and Malaysia among the countries that met two of three criteria to be designated by the Treasury as a currency manipulator, but no country met all three.

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29 May
Brian Bradley

Chinese informal retaliation against US goods possible

‘Qualitative’ retaliation could take the form of increased inspections, difficulty in getting licenses, and delays and investigations for environmental compliance.

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28 May
Brian Bradley

US continues block on WTO Appellate Body selections

The AB has four vacancies, with two current members on the seven-position panel expected to depart in December, which would render it inoperative.

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24 May
Brian Bradley

IMF details likely negative effects of US-China tensions

The most recent and announced potential future duties will reduce global GDP, the intergovernmental group stated in a report released Thursday.

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23 May
Brian Bradley

Republicans accuse Democrats of slow-walking USMCA

Subcommittee Chairman Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., says the agreement won’t be “jammed through” his panel or the House Ways and Means Committee.

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21 May
Brian Bradley

Senator calls for ending trade war, providing farmer aid

Kansas Republican Jerry Moran says tariffs threaten long-term damage to U.S. agriculture.

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20 May
Brian Bradley

Official details CBP duty activities, modernization vision

Brenda Smith, Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Trade executive assistant commissioner, said her agency will develop modernization projects that will result in pilots.

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17 May
Brian Bradley

US, NAFTA partners reach deal to remove metal tariffs

The agreement doesn’t involve quotas, and the tariffs will be gone in 48 hours, according to reports.

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Brian Bradley

Trade talks ordered in response to 232 autos report

President Trump directed U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to lead talks as the administration seeks to mitigate the “threatened impairment of national security.”

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