USTR Extends Certain Exclusions from China Section 301 Tariffs - U.S. Trade Representative
WASHINGTON – The Office of the United States Trade Representative today announced the further extension of certain exclusions in the Section 301 Investigation of China’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation. The exclusions were previously scheduled to expire on May 31, 2024.
Certain exclusions have been extended through May 31, 2025. To allow for a transition period, the U.S. Trade Representative is extending all of the currently expiring exclusions through June 14, 2024.
The Federal Register notice can be viewed here.
________________________________________________________________________________
Federal Register Notices:
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Epoxy Resins From the People's Republic of China, India, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan: Postponement of Preliminary Determinations in the Countervailing Duty Investigations
• Carbazole Violet Pigment 23 From India: Preliminary Results of Countervailing Duty New Shipper Review; 2022
• Certain Stilbenic Optical Brightening Agents From Taiwan: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2022
• Sales at Less Than Fair Value; Determinations, Investigations, etc.: Aluminum Extrusions From the United Arab Emirates: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Critical Circumstances, in Part, in the Less-Than-Fair Value Investigation
• Aluminum Extrusions From the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Critical Circumstances, in Part, in the Less-Than-Fair Value Investigation
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Certain Graphics Systems, Components Thereof, and Digital Televisions Containing the Same; Notice of Commission Determination to Institute a Modification Proceeding
• Certain Products Containing Tirzepatide and Products Purporting To Contain Tirzepatide; Notice of a Commission Determination Not To Review an Initial Determination Granting-in-Part Motion To Amend the Complaint and Notice of Investigation
• Large Diameter Welded Pipe From Canada, China, Greece, India, South Korea, and Turkey; Notice of Commission Determination To Conduct Full Five-Year Reviews
• Certain Portable Battery Jump Starters and Components Thereof (III); Notice of Request for Submissions on the Public Interest
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Sodium Hexametaphosphate From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of the Expedited Third Sunset Review of the Antidumping Duty Order
• Circular Welded Carbon Steel Pipes and Tubes From Thailand: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2022-2023
• Sales at Less Than Fair Value; Determinations, Investigations, etc.: Certain Paper Shopping Bags From Cambodia: Final Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Final Affirmative Determination of Critical Circumstances, In Part
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Oil Country Tubular Goods From Argentina, Mexico, and Russia
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Ferrosilicon From Brazil, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia: Postponement of Preliminary Determinations in the Countervailing Duty Investigations
• Organic Soybean Meal From India: Preliminary Results and Partial Rescission of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2021-2022
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Mattresses From Serbia: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2022-2023
• Certain Carbon and Alloy Steel Cut-to-Length Plate From the Republic of Korea: Preliminary Results and Partial Rescission of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2022
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Tin- and Chromium-Coated Steel Sheet From Japan; Determination
________________________________________________________________________________
New FTC Data Shed Light on Companies Most Frequently Impersonated by Scammers - Federal Trade Commission
New data from the Federal Trade Commission shows that Best Buy/Geek Squad, Amazon, and PayPal are the companies people report scammers impersonate most often.
A newly released data spotlight shows that consumers in 2023 submitted about 52,000 reports about scammers impersonating Best Buy or its Geek Squad tech support brand, followed by about 34,000 reports about scammers impersonating Amazon. PayPal was the third-most impersonated company with about 10,000 reports from consumers.
When it comes to the amount lost, though, consumers reported losing far more money to scammers impersonating Microsoft and Publishers Clearing House than any other companies. Consumers reported losing a total of $60 million to Microsoft impersonation scams and $49 million to Publishers Clearing House impersonation scams.
The FTC recently finalized its new rule on government and business impersonation, which gives the agency stronger tools to combat and deter scammers who impersonate government agencies and businesses, enabling the FTC to file federal court cases seeking to get money back to injured consumers and civil penalties against rule violators.
The spotlight also outlines the most common forms of payment people reported scammers used to steal money in 2023. Scammers requested a variety of payment methods, including cryptocurrency and bank transfers, which were the top methods used by investment scammers, according to the data spotlight. Other frequently reported payment methods included payment apps or services and gift cards. The top payment apps and services people reported paying with were PayPal, CashApp and Zelle, while the most reported gift cards were Apple and Target.
The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and protect and educate consumers. The FTC will never demand money, make threats, tell you to transfer money, or promise you a prize. Learn more about consumer topics at consumer.ftc.gov, or report fraud, scams, and bad business practices at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Follow the FTC on social media, read consumer alerts and the business blog, and sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts.
________________________________________________________________________________
Counterfeit Championship Rings Worth Over $1.3 Million Seized by Cincinnati CBP - U.S. Customs & Border Protection
CINCINNATI, OH – Championship rings have always been treasured items among sports fans and collectors alike. Unfortunately, buying these rings come at a great cost if you can get your hands on one, or in this instance 345 of them. Third party retailers often take advantage of this type of merchandise by selling counterfeit championship baseball, football, basketball, and hockey rings at a hefty price and consumers may not know the difference. Consumers need to be mindful when making online purchases to avoid being scammed. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Cincinnati recently seized a large shipment of counterfeit championship rings containing 345 rings.
In mid-April, officers at the Port of Cincinnati were inspecting freight from the Asia origin when they discovered a large shipment of counterfeit championship rings. The shipment originated in Hong Kong and was destined to a small business in the city of Utica, NY. The rings included team logos from the New York Yankees, Pittsburg Steelers, New England Patriots, Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Pittsburgh Penguins, and New Jersey Devils to name a few. A total of 345 rings were seized representing 18 different sports teams.
Officers suspected these rings to be counterfeit based on their country of origin, low quality in appearance, and lack of substantial value. All 345 rings were determined to be counterfeit by CBP’s Centers for Excellence and Expertise (CEEs), the agency’s trade experts. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) would have been $1,380,000.00 had the shipment of rings been genuine.
“Our frontline officers at The Port of Cincinnati work tirelessly to protect consumers from illicit shipments,” said LaFonda Sutton-Burke, Director Field Operations-Chicago. “Profits from shipments like this one are often funneled into criminal organizations, and in return fund their illegal activities.”
Consumers are urged take these simple steps to protect themselves and their families from counterfeit goods:
• Purchase goods directly from the trademark holder or from authorized retailers.
• When shopping online, read seller reviews, check for a working U.S. phone number, and address that can be used to contact the seller.
• Review CBP’s E-Commerce Counterfeit Awareness Guide for Consumers.
“With the influx on prices of goods, it is not uncommon to see consumers cutting back or looking for a good deal, but I encourage you to be cautious of third-party sellers,” said Cincinnati Port Director Alrick Brooks, “CBP encourages consumers to use the resources CBP offers online such as E-commerce Counterfeit Awareness Guide for Consumers. If you suspect illegal trade activity, CBP has the e-Allegations Online Trade Violations Reporting System.”
Visit CBP’s YouTube channel to learn more about how CBP’s Office of Field Operations secures our nation’s borders.
________________________________________________________________________________
CBP Continues to Intercept Counterfeit Designer Clothing, Shoes, Purses and Watches at the Rochester, N.Y. Port of Entry - U.S. Customs & Border Protection
Counterfeit Watch Worth $1.2 Million Discovered
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Rochester Port of Entry seized various designer items throughout the month of May for bearing counterfeit trademarks, including multiple high-priced watches.
CBP officers inspected several shipments that contained multiple pieces of “designer” clothing, shoes, handbags, and watches. One high-end watch discovered had a value of approximately $1.2 million dollars. After a thorough examination of the merchandise, all the items were determined to be inauthentic and were seized for bearing counterfeit trademarks. Had these items been genuine, the total Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) value of the shipments would have a be approximately $1.6 million dollars.
“Our CBP officers and Import Specialists continue to protect the consumer from these fake products,” said Rochester Port Director Ronald Menz. “Using experience and training, they work hard to intercept these items that defraud the consumer and legitimate business.”
CBP has the authority to detain, seize, forfeit, and ultimately destroy imported merchandise if it bears an infringing trademark or copyright that has been registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office and has subsequently been recorded with CBP through the e-Recordation program https://iprr.cbp.gov/s/. Other violations can include misclassification of merchandise, false country-of-origin markings, health and safety issues, and valuation issues.
Trade in counterfeit and pirated goods threatens America’s innovation economy, the competitiveness of our businesses, the livelihoods of U.S. workers, and, in some cases, national security and the health and safety of consumers. It is also against the law to import counterfeit or pirated merchandise and individual consumers may be liable for a fine even if they did not intend to import counterfeit or pirated merchandise.
If you have information about counterfeit merchandise being illegally imported into the U.S., CBP encourages you to submit an E-Allegation. The E-Allegation reporting tool 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 into the U.S.
CBP has established an educational initiative to raise consumer awareness about the consequences and dangers that can be associated with the purchase of counterfeit and pirated goods. Information about the Truth Behind Counterfeits campaign can be found at The Truth Behind Counterfeits | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (cbp.gov)
________________________________________________________________________________
OTEXA: Announcements - international Trade Administration
• 05/28/2024 – comments received from Indorama on Federal Register Notice requesting public comments on the commercial availability of high tenacity polyester yarns under the USMCA.
• 05/28/2024 – comments received from Shuford Yarns on Federal Register Notice requesting public comments on the commercial availability of high tenacity polyester yarns under the USMCA.
• 05/28/2024 – The U.S. Trade Representative is requesting public comments by June 28, 2024, for a Section 301 exclusion process for particular machinery, including textile, apparel, and footwear machinery used in domestic manufacturing to be temporarily excluded from these tariffs. USTR is also seeking public comments on whether the tariff rates should be higher than the proposed rates on facemasks, medical gloves, syringes and needles. In addition, whether additional statistical reporting codes with respect to facemasks under tariff subheading 6307.90.98 should be included. For more information see 89 FR 46252.
• 05/14/2024 – The United States Trade Representative released their 4-year review of the Section 301 tariffs for China’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation. Recommendations are to increase some tariffs on $18 billion worth of Chinese goods and establish an exclusion process for a limited number of products. Among other products, USTR has directed to increase the rates of duty on facemasks to 25 percent in 2024, medical gloves to 25 percent in 2026, and syringes and needles to 50 percent in 2024. For more information see 89 FR 44541.
• 05/14/2024 – The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is seeking public comments on the eligibility of sub-Saharan African countries to receive benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act as part of the annual review. A public hearing will be held virtually June 27; pre-hearing written comments, requests to testify, and written testimony are due by June 6; and post-hearing written comments are due by July 11. For more information see 89 FR 42052.
________________________________________________________________________________
USTR, USDA Announce Appointments to Seasonal and Perishable Agricultural Products Advisory Committee - Office of U.S. Trade Representative
WASHINGTON – The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced appointments to the newly established Seasonal and Perishable Agricultural Products Advisory Committee.
USTR and USDA established the committee to provide advice and recommendations on measures to promote the competitiveness of producers of seasonal and perishable produce in the Southeastern United States. The committee members will offer expertise in areas such as growing and selling seasonal and perishable agricultural products and the needs and market dynamics affecting producers of seasonal and perishable agricultural products in the Southeastern United States.
The establishment of this committee comes after Members of Congress requested an examination of issues in a September 8, 2022 Section 301 petition, and follows the October 23, 2022 USTR announcement that, in coordination with USDA, it would pursue avenues to assist Southeastern producers.
The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to supporting specialty crop growers through this committee, as well as efforts such as USDA’s Specialty Crops Competitiveness Initiative, which is providing tools and resources to increase the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops in foreign markets, enhance domestic marketing, and improve production and processing practices. USTR and USDA will work with the Committee and Members of Congress to develop possible administrative actions and legislation that would provide real benefits to Southeastern seasonal and perishable agricultural producers.
A complete roster of the committee members can be found here.