C-AIR TIMES ISSUE #673 - Friday, March 12, 2021 08:14

OTEXA: Announcements - Office of Textile & Apparel

[03/05/2021] – The United States and the UK released a joint statement announcing a four-month suspension of tariffs related to the ongoing large civilian aircraft dispute. See 85 FR 50866 (Annex 2, Section 2, Part 15) for the list of textile products of the UK for which the additional 25-percent import duty will be suspended for four months, from March 4, 2021. The UK had previously announced its independent approach to the trade conflict in which the EU implemented a 25-percent levy on a $4 billion list of U.S. products, including travel goods and cotton.

[03/05/2021] – January 2021 Textile and Apparel Import Report

[03/09/2021] – As of January 1, 2021, Turkey replaced its additional customs duties (in place since April 2020) with new additional customs duties on 4,815 products, including most textile and apparel products. United States and the UK released a joint statement announcing a four-month suspension of tariffs related to the ongoing large civilian aircraft dispute. See Decision 3351 in the Official Gazette dated December 31, 2020 lists the affected products according to their HS (GTIP in Turkish) and the corresponding additional duty rate.

[03/09/2021] – The European Union (EU) and the United States agree on the mutual suspension for four months of the tariffs related to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Aircraft disputes . See the EU list of $4 billion of U.S. products subject to retaliatory tariffs, including a 25-percent levy on travel goods and cotton. See 85 FR 50866 for EU products subject to U.S. tariffs.

[03/09/2021] – The U.S. Trade Representative has determined to suspend indefinitely the tariff action in the Section 301 investigation of France’s Digital Services Tax (DST) . Additional tariffs on certain products of France announced in July 2020 and scheduled to go into effect on January 6, 2021, included an additional 25-percent duty on certain handbags, as well as other products.

[03/09/2021] – The U.S. Trade Representative announces the extension of certain product exclusions on medical-care and/or COVID response products from additional Section 301 duties. The extensions announced in this notice will extend the product exclusions through September 30, 2021. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will issue instructions on entry guidance and implementation.

Federal Register Notices:

Biden Administration Releases 2021 President’s Trade Agenda and 2020 Annual Report - USTR

(3/01/21) WASHINGTON – The Office of the United States Trade Representative today delivered President Biden’s 2021 Trade Agenda and 2020 Annual Report to Congress, detailing a comprehensive trade policy in support of the Administration’s effort to help the U.S. recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and build back better.

The President’s agenda will create millions of good-paying jobs and support America’s working families by tackling four national challenges: building a stronger industrial and innovation base so the future is made in America; building sustainable infrastructure and a clean energy future; building a stronger, caring economy; and advancing racial equity across the board.

The President wants a fair international trading system that promotes inclusive economic growth and reflects America’s universal values. Trade policy must respect the dignity of work and value Americans as workers and wage-earners, not only as consumers. The President’s trade agenda will restore U.S. global leadership by combatting forced and exploitative labor conditions, corruption, and discrimination against women and minorities around the world.

Through bilateral and multilateral engagement, the Biden Administration will seek to build consensus around trade policies that address the climate crisis, bolster sustainable renewable energy supply chains, level the playing field, discourage regulatory arbitrage, and foster innovation and creativity.

The full report can be viewed here.

A fact sheet outlining key highlights of the report is available here.

Background:

The 2021 Trade Policy Agenda and 2020 Annual Report of the President of the United States on the Trade Agreements Program are submitted to the Congress pursuant to Section 163 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended.

Fake Jewelry Worth Nearly $3.2 Million Seized by Cincinnati CBP - U.S. Customs & Border Protection

CINCINNATI — On March 4, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Cincinnati seized two shipments containing 734 items of counterfeit jewelry. The jewelry, which came from China, would have been worth a total of $3,191,370 million had it been genuine.

One of the shipments contained 543 bracelets and rings labeled as Cartier, and the other held 191 bracelets, rings, and earrings with Cartier and Hermes emblems. All were determined to be counterfeit by CBP’s Centers for Excellence and Expertise (CEEs), the agency’s trade experts. The shipments were headed to private residences in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and Miami Beach, Florida.

“Legitimate trade powers the U.S. economy,” said Cincinnati Port Director Richard Gillespie, “but counterfeit and pirated goods dampen our economic successes, fund criminal networks, and threaten consumer trust and safety. Our officers work hard every day to protect our domestic businesses and American consumers.”

The rapid growth of e-commerce enables consumers to search for and easily purchase millions of products through online vendors, but this easy access gives counterfeit and pirated goods more ways to enter the U.S. economy. U.S. consumers spend more than $100 billion every year on intellectual property rights (IPR) infringing goods, falling victim to approximately 20% of the counterfeits that are illegally sold worldwide.

CBP has established an educational initiative, Truth Behind Counterfeits, to raise consumer awareness about the consequences and dangers that are often associated with the purchase of counterfeit and pirated goods. The agency encourages anyone with information about counterfeit merchandise illegally imported into the United States to submit an e-Allegation. The e-Allegation system provides a means for the public to anonymously report to CBP any suspected violations of trade laws or regulations related to the importation of goods in the U.S.

Over 65K Counterfeit 3M Masks Seized in Chicago - U.S. Customs & Border Protection

CHICAGO – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers remain vigilant and are focused on the health and safety of consumers during the pandemic. Officers assigned to the International Mail Facility (IMF) at O’Hare International Airport recently seized 136 boxes containing suspicious 3M N95 type masks with a 3M trademark.

On March 1, CBP officers assigned to the Port of Chicago seized parcels that were arriving from Colombia. Officers inspected the shipment to determine the admissibility of the parcels and its contents. The officers noticed an unfamiliar chemical smell coming from the masks and grammatical errors on the 3M packaging. CBP Import Specialists determined the shipment of 3M masks infringes upon the 3M trademark and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH trademark. CBP seized 65,280 3M N95 masks. If the masks had been real, and because of supply and demand, the masks would have had a Domestic Value of over $401,000. All the masks were destined for a company in Virginia.

Legitimate surgical respirators are critical for the healthcare industry, and 3M publishes alerts to help educate the public about the potential for respirator fraud and inflated pricing. Throughout the past year, criminal enterprises exploited the COVID-19 pandemic to sell counterfeit, unapproved, unsafe PPE, and pharmaceuticals, but CBP has remained focused on its mission to protect consumers, reduce trading costs, and promote a level playing field for American businesses.

“These counterfeit masks are extremely dangerous and provide a false sense of security to American consumers,” said Hans Leiterman, Assistant Area Port Director-Chicago. “Unfortunately, there is no shortage of bad actors out there trying to take advantage of consumers during a global pandemic.”

CBP conducts operations at ports of entry throughout the United States, and regularly screens arriving international passengers and cargo for narcotics, weapons, and other restricted or prohibited products. CBP strives to serve as the premier law enforcement agency enhancing the Nation’s safety, security, and prosperity through collaboration, innovation, and integration.

Daylight Saving Time: Spring into the New Season with Safety - Consumer Product Safety Commission

Washington, D.C. – Sunday, March 14, marks the beginning of Daylight Saving Time when consumers will turn their clocks one hour forward. As consumers welcome the new season, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) wants you to add safety to your spring routine by changing the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms.

Smoke and CO alarms need fresh batteries installed each year, unless they have sealed 10-year batteries. Alarms also need to be tested every month to make sure they are working properly. Place smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom and outside sleeping areas. CO alarms should be placed on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and mounting height. If either the smoke or CO alarm sounds, go to a safe location outside your home and call the fire department.

“Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms save lives,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Robert Adler. “Working alarms with fresh batteries buy your family valuable time to escape from a fire or a lethal buildup of carbon monoxide in your home.”

According to a recent CPSC report, there was an annual average of nearly 362,000 unintentional residential structure fires, 2,300 deaths, more than 10,400 injuries, and $6.69 billion in property losses from 2015 through 2017. According to CDC, about 400 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning in the U.S.

Carbon monoxide:

Known as the silent killer, because you cannot see it or smell it, this poisonous gas can come from many sources, such as portable generators.
If you choose a plug-in type CO alarm, make sure that it also has battery backup.
Never operate a portable generator inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace, shed, or on the porch close to the house.

Fire:

Prevent fires by having your fuel-burning appliances, like your furnace and fireplace, inspected by a professional each year.
Keep space heaters away from curtains, beds, and anything combustible.
Make sure fire sprinklers water supply is open.

Create a fire escape plan:

Make sure there are two ways out from each room, usually a door and a window, and a clear path to outside from each exit.
Ensure that everyone in the home knows the plan, and practice the escape plan twice yearly.

For more tips to keep you and your family safe, visit CPSC.gov. Share our Neighborhood Safety Network (NSN) poster.