USTR Proposes Additional Duties; Sets Deadline for Comments in Section 301 Investigation Related to Forced Labor - Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt LLP
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has published notice of its intent to impose additional duties on products from 60 countries, stemming from its investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 related to forced labor. (91 FR 34272).
The USTR initiated the investigation under Section 301 on March 12, 2026, regarding the acts, policies, and practices of 60 countries related to the failure to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor. The USTR has determined that all 60 countries investigated are actionable under Section 301. As a result, the USTR has proposed the following ad valorem duties on all products of the investigated countries, unless the product is otherwise exempted (see below for proposed exemptions):
• 10 percent duty for products of the following fourteen countries: Argentina; Bangladesh; Cambodia; Canada; Ecuador; El Salvador; the European Union; Guatemala; Indonesia; Malaysia; Mexico; Pakistan; Taiwan; and the United Kingdom.
• 12.5 percent duty for products of all other countries subject to this investigation: Algeria; Angola; Australia; The Bahamas; Bahrain; Brazil; Chile; People’s Republic of China; Colombia; Costa Rica; Dominican Republic; Egypt; Guyana; Honduras; Hong Kong, China; India; Iraq; Israel; Japan; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Kuwait; Libya; Morocco; New Zealand; Nicaragua; Nigeria; Norway; Oman; Peru; Philippines; Qatar; Russia; Saudi Arabia; Singapore; South Africa; South Korea; Sri Lanka; Switzerland; Thailand; Trinidad and Tobago; Türkiye; United Arab Emirates; Uruguay; Venezuela; and Vietnam.
The following are currently exempt from the additional duties proposed under this investigation, but are subject to modification:
• Goods provided in Annex A of the USTR Notice, notably:
o raw materials that if subject to the proposed additional tariffs could lead to the unavailability of domestic supply;
o products that could cause economy-wide disruptions if subject to the proposed additional tariffs; and
o certain products that cannot be grown or produced in sufficient quantities in the United States or obtained from other sources.
• All articles and parts currently subject to Section 232 tariffs.
• Informational Materials.
• Donations.
• Accompanied Baggage.
• USMCA-compliant goods of Canada or Mexico.
• Textiles and apparel articles that enter duty-free as a good of Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, or Nicaragua under CAFTA-DR.
The USTR is soliciting comments pertaining to the following:
• The specific products to be subject to increased duties, including whether products should be retained or removed from the scope of the action, or whether products currently listed in Annex A should be added to the scope of the action.
• Whether products listed in Annex A are appropriately excluded.
• The level of the increase, if any, in the rate of duty.
• Whether different tariff rates should be applied to a country that has made a commitment to the United States to impose and enforce a forced labor import prohibition; has imposed a forced labor import prohibition; or has imposed a partial regime with the effect of preventing the importation of certain forced labor goods.
• Implementation of a textile mechanism that would allow a certain volume of apparel and textile imports to enter the United States at a reduced Section 301 tariff rate, and whether a similar mechanism should apply to any other product or sector.
In commenting on the inclusion or removal of particular tariff subheadings subject to the proposed action, the USTR requests that comments address specifically whether the products under the tariff subheading are necessary raw materials that if subject to the proposed additional tariffs could lead to the unavailability of domestic supply; whether additional tariffs would cause serious dislocations in the supply of the products and could cause economy-wide disruptions, or other similar factors; and whether imposing additional tariffs on products under the tariff subheading would be practicable or effective in obtaining the elimination of the investigated acts, policies, and practices.
Key dates in the public comment process are as follows:
• June 22, 2026: Submit requests to appear at the hearings, along with a summary of the testimony, by this date.
• July 6, 2026: Deadline to submit written comments.
• July 7, 2026: Public hearings at U.S. International Trade Commission.
• Five days after the last day of the public hearings: Submit post-hearing rebuttal comments.
Clients are encouraged to evaluate the product coverage and potential impact of the proposed tariffs. Please contact one of our attorneys with any questions, and for assistance in preparing and submitting written comments or testimony to the USTR by the deadlines specified above.
Clients are reminded that the current Section 122 tariffs expire on July 24, 2026, and it is possible that the new tariffs proposed under this Section 301 investigation might be effective on or shortly after that date.
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China Section 301 Litigation Update - Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt LLP
On June 15, 2026, the Supreme Court of the United States denied a petition for certiorari in HTMX Industries, LLC, et al., the lead case challenging the imposition of additional duties on merchandise imported from China pursuant to Section 301 Lists 3 and 4A. The U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit had previously approved the Section 301 duty assessments under List 3 and List 4A.
The Supreme Court’s decision not to hear the case, which was announced by the Court with no explanation, marks the end of the litigation that began in 2020, and which grew to include over 6,000 importers. We anticipate that the CIT will establish procedures to dismiss the cases that had been stayed pending resolution of the lead case.
Should you have any questions, please contact one of our attorneys.
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CBP Issues Withhold Release Order on Serbia Zijin Copper D.O.O. - USCBP
Agency will detain imports of copper and copper products manufactured using forced labor
WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a Withhold Release Order against copper and copper products manufactured in Serbia by Serbia Zijin Copper D.O.O. (Serbia Zijin). Effective immediately, CBP personnel at all U.S. ports of entry will detain shipments of these copper products due to evidence reasonably indicating the use of forced labor in their production.
This WRO, the fourth in Fiscal Year 2026, was issued due to violations of 19 U.S.C. § 1307, the law prohibiting goods made with forced labor from entering the United States. When CBP has evidence indicating imported goods are made with forced labor, the agency acts to detain those shipments through WROs.
“U.S. manufacturers face unfair competition when foreign companies cut costs by using forced labor,” said CBP Office of Trade Executive Assistant Commissioner Susan S. Thomas. “By enforcing our laws against forced labor, CBP safeguards human rights as well as our nation’s economic security.”
This WRO is the result of a CBP investigation and review of information that Serbia Zijin manufactures copper and copper products using forced labor. CBP analyzed the following supporting evidence: worker statements, photographs, focus group field notes, text message screenshots, open-source non-government organization reports, news media, and academic research.
Taken together, the evidence demonstrated that workers at Serbia Zijin are subject to six International Labour Organization indicators of forced labor: abuse of vulnerability, withholding of wages, intimidation and threats, restriction of movement, retention of identity documents, and excessive overtime. The facts underlying these indicators show, by reasonable suspicion, that workers are engaged in forced labor (i.e., work performed involuntarily and under menace of penalty). Additionally, CBP trade import data demonstrates that the goods are being, or are likely to be, imported into the United States.
The WRO against Serbia Zijin highlights CBP’s continued efforts to combat forced labor. With this action, CBP now oversees and enforces 56 WROs and eight Findings under 19 U.S.C. § 1307.
Importers of detained shipments may either destroy or export their shipments, or they may seek to demonstrate that the merchandise was not produced with forced labor.
CBP receives allegations of forced labor from a variety of sources including government agencies, media, non-government organizations, and members of the public. Any person or organization that has reason to believe merchandise produced with forced labor is being, or is likely to be, imported into the United States can report allegations through CBP’s Forced Labor Allegation Portal.
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Federal Register Notices:
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Welded Line Pipe From the Republic of Korea: Preliminary Results and Rescission, in Part, of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
• Fiberglass Door Panels From the People's Republic of China: Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Glycine From India: Final Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2023
• Monosodium Glutamate From the People's Republic China: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
• Certain Steel Nails From Taiwan: Preliminary Results and Rescission, in Part, of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Finished Carbon Steel Flanges From India: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
• Certain Chassis and Subassemblies Thereof From Mexico and Thailand: Countervailing Duty Orders
• Raw Honey from India: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
• Certain Chassis and Subassemblies Thereof From Mexico, Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Antidumping Duty Orders
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In the News:
• European parliament finally approves Trump tariff deal - [The Guardian]
• Exclusive: US holds off blacklisting China's DeepSeek, more than 100 firms deemed security risks, sources say - [Reuters}
• Korea, US customs chiefs pledge closer ties to foil tariff evaders, halt drug flows - ]Korea Times[
• Trump Poised to Roll Out New Tariffs as He Refunds the Old Ones - ]Yahoo Finance[
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USITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Wood Mouldings and Millwork Products from China - USITC
The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) today determined that revoking the existing countervailing and antidumping duty orders on wood mouldings and millwork products from China would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the existing orders on imports of this product from China will remain in place.
Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative.
Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on these five-year (sunset) reviews.
The Commission’s public report, Wood Mouldings and Millwork Products from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-636 and 731-TA-1470 (Review), USITC Publication 5755, June 2026), will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.
The report will be available on the USITC website by July 22, 2026.
BACKGROUND
The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time.
The Commission’s institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order under review as well as other information. Generally, within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review. If responses to the USITC’s notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.
The Commission generally does not hold a hearing or conduct further investigative activities in expedited reviews. Commissioners base their injury determination in expedited reviews on the facts available, including the Commission’s prior injury and review determinations, responses received to its notice of institution, data collected by staff in connection with the reviews, and information provided by the Department of Commerce.
The five-year (sunset) reviews concerning Wood Mouldings and Millwork Products from China were instituted on January 2, 2026.
On April 7, 2026, the Commission determined to conduct expedited five-year reviews. Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson and Jason E. Kearns concluded that the domestic interested party group responses were adequate and the respondent interested party group responses were inadequate, and voted for expedited reviews.
A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct expedited reviews is available on the investigations page for Wood Mouldings and Millwork Products from China; Inv. No. 701-TA-636 and 731-TA-1470 (Review).
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CBP Officers in Cincinnati Intercepted $19 Million MSRP in Designer Watches and High-End Fashion Accessories - USCBP
CINCINNATI—U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the port of Cincinnati stopped a shipment on June 3 containing 111 pieces of counterfeit items such as watches, glasses, and headwear. Had these items been genuine, the shipment would have had a combined Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of over $19.26 million.
The shipment from Colombia was headed for a residence in Puerto Rico when officers pulled the parcel for inspection. The examination revealed: 44 various Rolex watch models, 4 Richard Mille watches, 10 Cartier watches, 20 hats from Prada, ALO, Gucci, and Coach, and 62 pairs of designer branded sunglasses and glasses. The items were deemed to be inauthentic by CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise, the agency’s trade experts, and were seized for bearing counterfeit version of registered and recorded trademarks.
“The trade of fake goods, and the widespread violation of private intellectual property rights threaten the American economy, as well as our national security,” said Cincinnati Port Director, Eric Zizelman “We will continue to put substantial efforts and resources into protecting our economy and American consumers, as well as securing our homeland and keeping our families safe.”
Illegitimate sales are some of the most profitable transnational crimes. Counterfeiters sell inauthentic versions of popular products in response to trends, often through online sources, which adversely impacts legitimate U.S. businesses. These items, including fake medications, perfumes, and cosmetics, children’s toys and costumes, fashion, jewelry, and luxury products, and unsafe electronics and automative parts, can pose serious health and safety risks to American consumers as they are often made with substandard or harmful materials.
CBP reminds consumers to shop from reputable online sources. E-Commerce sales have contributed to large volumes of low-value, small packages being imported into the U.S. Over 90% of all counterfeit seizures occur in the international mail and express environments, which are channels that small, e-commerce packages destined for the U.S. travel through. Many of these shipments contain counterfeit goods that pose the same health, safety, and economic security risks as large, containerized shipments.
To learn more about what CBP is doing every day to protect Americans from counterfeit goods, and more about the Truth Behind Counterfeits public awareness campaign, please visit: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/fakegoodsrealdangers.
CBP protects the intellectual property rights of American businesses through an aggressive Intellectual Property Rights enforcement program, safeguarding them from unfair competition and use for malicious intent while upholding American innovation and ingenuity. Suspected violations can be reported to CBP here.
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Ignore Calls, Texts, and Emails Threatening to Arrest you for Missing Jury Duty - Federal Trade Commission
Did you get a call claiming you missed jury duty and need to pay? Followed by a text or email with official-looking documents saying there’s a warrant out for your arrest? As alarming as these things sound, they’re a scam designed to steal your money.
Most jury duty scams start with an “urgent” call from someone claiming to be a U.S. Marshal or an officer from your local police department. To catch you off guard, the caller might already know things about you, like your full name or address. They say you missed jury duty (you didn’t) and threaten to arrest you (they won’t) unless you pay a fine using a payment app or cryptocurrency.
That scam is probably familiar so far, but now scammers also text or email you a document that looks like an official warrant for your arrest, complete with how much you owe for missing jury duty. While this might make the scam look more convincing, it’s all fake.
Here’s how you know it’s a scam:
• Real law enforcement will never text or email you an arrest warrant.
• Even if the caller ID looks like it’s coming from your local police department or the U.S. Marshals, real law enforcement officers won’t call to say they’ll arrest you. And they won’t threaten to arrest you if you hang up.
• Courts never demand payment over the phone. In fact, no government agency will.
• Only scammers say you can only pay with a payment app, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or a wire transfer service like Western Union or MoneyGram.
If you get a call like this, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. And if you already paid a scammer, read What To Do if You Were Scammed to find out what to do next.
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