USTR Requests Petitions from North American Auto Producers to Use Alternative Staging Regime for the USMCA Rules of Origin
On April 21, 2020, USTR published a Request for Petitions from North American automotive producers of passenger vehicles and light trucks for an alternative to the standard staging regime for the rules of origin for automotive goods under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), that will soon replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Petitions must […]
Update on Recent COVID-19 Developments for Importers and Exporters
The table below provides a summary of recent import and export developments announced by the U.S. federal government agencies shown below (as of April 21, 2020) in response to the global pandemic. New information is shown below in red, and additional updates will be provided as new announcements are made. If you have any questions relating to […]
What’s Next for the USMCA and When Will It Take Effect?
Now that Canada, Mexico and the United State have ratified[1] the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and have passed the Agreement through their national legislatures, what will happen next? The USMCA is the intended successor agreement to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Some have jokingly referred to the USMCA as simply “NAFTA 2.0” while […]
Temporary 90-Day Postponement of Duties, Fees and Taxes Announced for Importers Encountering Significant Financial Hardship
Importers suffering significant financial hardship in light of the global pandemic may have their duties, fees and taxes on entries of imported merchandise made in March and April postponed for a period of 90 days. On April 18th, President Trump signed an Executive Order authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to temporarily extend deadlines for […]
Update on Recent COVID-19 Developments for Importers and Exporters – New Information Added
The table below provides a summary of recent import and export developments announced by the U.S. federal government agencies shown below (as of March 27, 2020). New information is shown below in red, and additional updates will be provided as new announcements are made. Recent Import Developments International Trade Commission ITC to Issue Report […]
FEMA Implements Temporary Rule Restricting Exports of Certain Personal Protective Equipment Used to Treat the COVID-19 Virus
On April 10, 2020, FEMA issued a temporary rule that prohibits exports of certain personal protective equipment (“PPE”) used to treat the COVID-19 virus from the United States without prior FEMA approval. The temporary rule took immediate effect and will continue in force until August 10, 2020. The temporary rule was implemented in accordance with […]
ITAR Interim Final Rule on Encryption Became Effective on March 25th
On March 25, 2020, the following Directorate of Defense Trade Controls’ (DDTC’s) Interim Final Rule, commonly referred to as the “Encryption Rule” took effect. See 84 Federal Register 70887 (International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Creation of Definition of Activities That Are Not Exports, Reexports, Retransfers, or Temporary Imports; Creation of Definition of Access Information; Revisions […]
COVID-19 Agency Announcements Impacting Trade
U.S. importers and exporters take note: Customs and Border Protection, the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Industry and Security have issued announcements or taken actions as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 virus on their ongoing operations. Specifically— • Requests to Delay the Payment of Duties: […]
USTR Submits the 2020 Trade Policy and Annual Report to Congress
On February 28, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) submitted President Trump’s 2020 Trade Policy Agenda and Annual Report to Congress. The 300-page report details how the Administration’s follow-through on promises made to change U.S. trade policy has resulted in an economic “blue-collar boom” with higher wages, more jobs and a stronger economy. The report […]
Around the World with Trade Deals – Global Chamber® and the Thunderbird School of Global Management
On March 5, 2020, the Global Chamber® and the Thunderbird School of Global Management hosted the seminar and globinar “Around the World with Trade Deals” at Thunderbird’s headquarters in downtown Phoenix. The event featured an expert panel on free trade agreements including Miller Proctor Law’s Melissa Proctor. Melissa joined Hank Marshall, Economic Development Executive for […]