With the enforcement function of the World Trade Organization having been broken amidst escalating trade tensions, the new facilitator for overseeing the reform of the fractured dispute settlement system has her task cut out, particularly in restoring a binding Appeal/Review mechanism that provides legal certainty in resolving global trade disputes, said people familiar with the development.

House Ways and Means trade subcommittee Chair Adrian Smith (R-Neb) has introduced legislation to restore the miscellaneous tariff bill process, with support from 19 Republican colleagues including 17 fellow Ways and Means Committee members. “Renewing the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill is essential to reducing barriers for American manufacturing and agriculture, supporting jobs, private sector growth, and our overall economic competitiveness, while upholding Congress’ constitutional authority over trade,” Rep. Smith said.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) and three House Democrats criticized the Commerce Department for what they say are inadequate steps to address assault weapons exports. At the same time, the lawmakers praised the US Trade Representative’s Office for no longer classifying as trade barriers import license requirements for explosives, firearms and ammunition in its latest National Trade Estimate report.

The Administration is very concerned that China may try to evade the new 100 percent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told lawmakers Wednesday. The US Trade Representative’s Office, with assistance from the Commerce Department, is looking at how to ensure Chinese EVs made in Mexico are still subject to the tariff, she told members of the Senate Appropriations commerce, justice, science and related agencies subcommittee.

China severely chastised the United States for its decision to levy high tariffs on imports of several major items from China, including 100 percent tariffs on electric vehicles, lithium batteries, photovoltaic cells, key minerals, semiconductors, steel and aluminum, port cranes, personal protective equipment, and other products.

Guidance regarding the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR’s) conforming amendment to one previously reinstated Section 301 exclusion, replacing Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) classification 2929.90.5090 with HTSUS classification 2929.90.5095 effective January 1, 2024.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee held a markup to consider various measures on Thursday, May 16th.

The termination of general license 44A, which had offered temporary relief from Venezuel oil sanctions, reportedly has created a crush of license applications to OFAC.

The Justice Department announced a series of coordinated actions to disrupt the illicit revenue generation efforts North Korean information Technology workers, while the State Department announced a $5 million reward to help shut down the schemes.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Republic of Korea held a ribbon cutting ceremony May 15 to celebrate the deployment of the Electronic Certification System (eCERT) to the Republic of Korea.

In response to Ankara's suspension of trade with Israel,The US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued an antiboycott advisory on Turkey. U.S. companies operating in Türkiye, in particular, are cautioned to be alert to their receipt of any requests to refrain from importing or exporting goods to or from Israel or to provide certification that the goods are not of Israeli origin or do not contain Israeli-origin components or materials. 

The Treasury Department issued the 2024 National Strategy for Combatting Terrorist and Other Illicit Financing , which provides a blueprint of the U.S. government’s goals, objectives, and …

Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Ali Yagoub Gibril and Osman Mohamed Hamid Mohamed, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14098, for leading the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) war campaign. The RSF’s attacks in North Darfur, which started last month, have caused dozens of civilian casualties, including children.

Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is imposing sanctions on two Russian individuals and three Russia-based entities for facilitating weapons transfers between Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the addition of 26 textile companies based in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List.

Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released additional guidance on the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) domestic content bonus The domestic content bonus applies to facilities and projects built using the required amounts of domestically produced steel, iron, and manufactured products.

Monday President Biden issued an order prohibiting the purchase and requiring the divestment of certain real estate operated as a cryptocurrency mining facility located within one mile of Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, as well as requiring the removal of certain improvements and equipment at the property. MineOne acquired the property in June 2022 and then made improvements to allow for use of the property for specialized cryptocurrency mining operations within one mile of F.E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne, Wyoming, a strategic missile base and home to Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles.  

May 16, the Administration announced new actions to protect American solar manufacturing from Chinese competition, including removing the bifacial module exclusion under Section 201, announcing the end of the 24 month "bridge," permitting duty free imports from ASEAN suppliers, and enhanced monitoring of trade flows.

Former Rep. Mike Gallagher is joining TitletownTech, a venture capital firm started by the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft, as a senior strategic adviser following his early resignation from Congress.

Drones for First Responders (DFR) Act will  implement a new tariff on Communist Chinese-controlled drones and use the tariff revenue to establish a new grant program to help first responders, critical infrastructure providers, and farmers, purchase secure drones.