Senators John Cornyn and Mark Warner, co-chairs of the India Caucus in the Senate, today requested that U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer consider dellizaying removing India from the Generalized System of Preferences program by at least 30 days. The senators (Cornyn is a Republican from Texas and Warner is a Democrat from Virginia) acknowledge that there are market access issues with India, but want to delay negotiations until after India holds their elections. The India elections are scheduled to conclude on May 23rd.
Category Archives: Washington Newsline
Lawrence Kudlow, a senior economic advisor to President Trump, believes that China and the U.S. are edging closer to a trade deal.
In 2018, Trump increased duties on products from China in 3 separate “tranches” or lists of products. The first 2 lists were on steel, aluminum and technology related products and the additional duty assessed on these products is 25 percent. The 3rd list covers many consumer products, including luggage and handbags, and was hit with a 10 percent duty increase, which was scheduled to increase to 25 percent. The increased duty on list 3, from 10 percent to 25 percent, has been postponed while negotiations are ongoing.
Reports are that the remaining issues are significant, but both sides are hopeful that a deal can be reached.
Posting with permission of American Shipper
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on Wednesday released a notice announcing Section 301 tariff exclusions for 33 additional product types.
As the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on Wednesday announced Section 301 tariff exclusions for 33 more products, President Donald Trump said he would leave tariffs in place on China for an extended period after his administration and Beijing reach any trade deal.
“We’re talking about leaving them and for a substantial period of time, because we have to make sure that if we do the deal with China, that China lives by the deal,” Trump told reporters before leaving for a trip to Ohio. “Because they’ve had a lot of problems living by certain deals and we have to make sure.” The granted exclusions pertain to the 25 percent tariff list covering $34 billion worth of goods from China in 2017 import value and will apply retroactive to the July 6 date of the tariffs’ imposition, USTR said in a notice. The exclusions will be valid for one year following publication of the notice in the Federal Register.
The exclusions follow a first batch of exclusions announced in December that covered nearly 1,000 exclusion requests and 31 different product types on the $34 billion list. In particular, the most recent exclusions take the form of three 10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheadings and 30 product descriptions, according to the notice.
Examples of product descriptions falling under the most recent exclusions include: submersible centrifugal pumps, each powered by 36 V motor (described in statistical reporting number 8413.70.2004); salad spinners, of plastics, not electrically powered (described in statistical reporting number 8421.19.0000); and machinery for filtering water, submersible, powered by batteries, manually operated, such machinery designed for use in pools, basins, aquariums, spas or similar contained bodies of water (described in statistical reporting number 8421.21.0000).
Exclusions apply to all imports of the subject products, not merely goods imported by the requester.
While Trump on Wednesday pointed to the U.S. trade deficit with China and said the U.S. “rebuilt China,” he added that the deal is “coming along nicely” and that the U.S. is sending top representatives there this weekend to advance negotiations.
The U.S. had a $419 billion goods trade deficit with China in 2018.
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March 8, 2019
Contact: John K. Decrosta, (202) 523-5911 On March 7, 2019, the White House notified the Federal Maritime Commission that President Donald Trump has designated Michael A. Khouri as Chairman. He had been serving as Acting Chairman since January 2017. Mr. Khouri began his service as an FMC Commissioner in January 2010. “I thank President Trump for his expression of confidence. I believe it reflects support for the great work that the entire FMC team is doing to ensure fair competition and integrity for America’s ocean supply chain.” |
Gemini Shippers Group ( Fashion Accessories Shippers Association (FASA), Gemini Shippers Association (GSA) and the Fashion Jewelry & Accessories Trade Association (FJATA), as a member of the Americans for Free Trade Coalition joined in sending the following letter to the President today advocating for continues progress in sensible tariff reform.
February 27, 2019
President Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
On behalf of the Americans for Free Trade coalition, we are writing to commend your
commitment to achieving a fair trade deal with China and for recent progress that has been made
during negotiations. We are encouraged by your decision to avoid a tariff increase on March 2
and allow negotiations to continue ahead of a planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
We urge you to publish a Federal Register notice immediately confirming and detailing your
decision in order to provide certainty to the business community, making clear to all stakeholders
that tariffs do not automatically increase on March 2. Further, it is our hope that this momentum
will build in the weeks ahead and lead to a final deal that addresses structural issues in China,
removes tariffs on both sides, and eliminates trade uncertainty facing American businesses and
farmers.
Our coalition represents every part of the U.S. economy, including manufacturers,
farmers and agribusinesses, retailers, technology companies, service suppliers, natural gas and
oil companies, importers, exporters, and other supply chain stakeholders. Collectively, we
support tens of millions of American jobs through our vast supply chains. We agree that China
and other trading partners must be held accountable for trade violations. However, broadly
applied tariffs do more harm than good and force American companies to foot the bill for
China’s misbehavior.
According to data released by our coalition, American businesses paid an additional $2.7
billion in tariffs in November 2018 alone, the most recent month data is available from the U.S.
Census Bureau. This represents a $2.7 billion tax increase and a massive year-over-year increase
from $375 million in tariffs on the same products in November 2017. The data also shows that
U.S. export growth hit its lowest level of 2018, thanks in part to a 37 percent decline in exports
of products facing China’s retaliatory tariffs. This data highlights that tariffs as a negotiating
tactic will always be a losing proposition because Americans — not foreign countries — are the
ones paying the price.
Due to these costs, American employers are eager to see trade negotiations conclude as
soon as possible and for all tariffs to be lifted. Although we are encouraged by the latest signs of
progress, it is important to note that existing tariffs and shifting deadlines are hanging over
American businesses and farmers and undermining their ability to grow, invest, and plan for the
future.
Mr. President, we applaud the hard work of your administration to achieve better trade
deals for the American people, and we are encouraged by the progress that has been made. As
negotiations continue, we urge you to continue to listen to the concerns of American businesses
faced with significant uncertainty. We are eager to see a trade deal with China that addresses
structural issues such as intellectual property theft and technology transfer while removing
existing tariffs and the threat of tariffs in the future. Millions of American farmers, businesses,
workers, and families are counting on you to achieve a positive resolution that keeps America
competitive on the global stage while growing our economy and protecting the millions of U.S.
jobs supported by trade.
Sincerely,
Accessories Council
Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC)
ALMA, International (Association of Loudspeaker
Manufacturing and Acoustics)
American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)
American Association of Exporters and Importers
(AAEI)
American Association of Port Authorities
American Bakers Association
American Chemistry Council
American Coatings Association, Inc. (ACA)
American Down and Feather Council
American Home Furnishings Alliance
American Lighting Association
American Petroleum Institute
American Pyrotechnics Association
American Rental Association
American Specialty Toy Retailing Association
Arizona Technology Council
Arkansas Grocers and Retail Merchants
Association
Association For Creative Industries
Association for PRINT Technologies
Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Auto Care Association
Beer Institute
BSA | The Software Alliance
Business & Institutional Furniture Manufacturers
Association (BIFMA)
California Retailers Association
Coalition of New England Companies for Trade
(CONECT)
Coalition of Services Industries (CSI)
Colorado Retail Council
Columbia River Customs Brokers and Forwarders Assn.
Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA)
Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)
Consumer Technology Association
Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)
CropLife America
Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Assn. of
Washington State
Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders of Northern
California
Distilled Spirits Council of the United States
Electronic Transactions Association
Fashion Accessories Shippers Association (FASA)
Fashion Jewelry & Accessories Trade Association
Flexible Packaging Association
Florida Ports Council
Florida Retail Federation
Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA)
Fragrance Creators Association
Game Manufacturers Association
Gemini Shippers Association
Georgia Retailers
Global Chamber®
Global Cold Chain Alliance
Grocery Manufacturers Association
Halloween Industry Association
Home Fashion Products Association
Home Furnishings Association
Household and Commercial Products Association
Idaho Retailers Association
Illinois Retail Merchants Association
Independent Office Products & Furniture Dealers
Association (IOPFDA)
Indiana Retail Council
Information Technology Industry Council (ITI)
International Bottled Water Association (IBWA)
International Foodservice Distributors Association
International Housewares Association
International Warehouse and Logistics Association
International Wood Products Association
Internet Association
Juice Products Association (JPA)
Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association
Los Angeles Customs Brokers and Freight
Forwarders Assn.
Louisiana Retailers Association
Maine Grocers & Food Producers Association
Maine Lobster Dealers’ Association
Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and
Bay
Maryland Retailers Association
Methanol Institute
Michigan Chemistry Council
Minnesota Retailers Association
Missouri Retailers Association
Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association
Motorcycle Industry Council
NAPIM (National Association of Printing Ink
Manufacturers)
National Association of Chain Drug Stores
(NACDS)
National Association of Chemical Distributors
(NACD)
National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones
(NAFTZ)
National Association of Home Builders
National Association of Music Merchants
National Association of Trailer Manufacturers
(NATM)
National Confectioners Association
National Council of Chain Restaurants
National Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders
Association of America
National Electrical Equipment Manufacturers
Association (NEMA)
National Fisheries Institute
National Foreign Trade Council
National Grocers Association
National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association
National Marine Manufacturers Association
National Restaurant Association
National Retail Federation
National Sporting Goods Association
Natural Products Association
New Jersey Retail Merchants Association
North American Association of Uniform Manufacturers
and Distributors (NAUMD)
North Carolina Retail Merchants Association
Ohio Council of Retail Merchants
Organization for International Investment
Outdoor Industry Association
Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and
Freight Forwarders Assns. Inc.
Pennsylvania Retailers’ Association
PeopleforBikes
Personal Care Products Council
Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council
Petroleum Equipment & Services Association
Plumbing Manufacturers International
Power Tool Institute (PTI)
Precious Metals Association of North America (PMANA)
Promotional Products Association International
Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association
Retail Association of Maine
Retail Council of New York State
Retail Industry Leaders Association
Retailers Association of Massachusetts
RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)
RV Industry Association
San Diego Customs Brokers and Forwarders Assn.
SEMI
Snowsports Industries America
Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates
Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA)
South Dakota Retailers Association
Specialty Equipment Market Association
Specialty Vehicle Institute of America
Sports & Fitness Industry Association
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)
Texas Retailers Association
Texas Water Infrastructure Network
The Airforwarders Association
The Fertilizer Institute
The Hardwood Federation
The Toy Association
The Vinyl Institute
Travel Goods Association
Truck & Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA)
U.S. Hide, Skin and Leather Association
United States Council for International Business
United States Fashion Industry Association
US Global Value Chain Coalition
US-China Business Council
Virginia Retail Merchants Association
Virginia-DC District Export Council (VA-DC DEC)
Washington Retail Association
Window and Door Manufacturers Association
World Pet Association, Inc. (WPA)
CC Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, United States Trade Representative
Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Department of the Treasury
Secretary Wilbur Ross, Department of Commerce
Secretary Sonny Perdue, Department of Agriculture
Members,
Earlier today President Trump announced that enough progress has been made in the negotiations with the Chinese, so he will be delaying the increase in the List 3 tariffs which was scheduled for March 2. This announcement did not indicate how long the delay will be in effect for.
Americans for Free Trade, of which (Gemini shippers Group is a member) issued a statement regarding the announcement – https://tariffshurt.com/2019/02/statement-on-tariff-deadline-extension/
As with the delay on January 1, USTR will need to issue a Federal Register notice with the details of the delay so that CBP can program its system so that tariffs don’t automatically increase on March 2.
Articles
- Trump to delay China tariff hike due to ‘substantial progress’ – https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/24/trump-china-tariffs-delayed-1182730
- Trump to Delay Tariff Increases on Chinese Imports – https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-to-delay-tariff-increases-on-chinese-imports-11551050187?mod=hp_lead_pos1
- Trump Extends China Tariff Deadline After ‘Substantial’ Progress – https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-24/trump-extends-china-tariff-truce-after-substantial-progress
- Trump delays China tariff hike, announces Xi summit, citing ‘substantial progress’ in trade talks – https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-delays-china-tariff-hike-announces-xi-summit-citing-substantial-progress-in-trade-talks
- Trump puts off new China tariffs again, cites progress in talks with Xi – https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-puts-new-china-tariffs-again-cites-progress-talks-xi-n975211
Best Regards
Gemini Shippers Group
Members have been inquiring regarding actions that may be taken regarding the current U.S. Tariff Actions. Below are the remaining Deadlines and timelines.
China 301 (List 1 – ): October 9, 2018
Deadline for product-specific requests for exclusion
– For covered products, please click here for the Federal Register Notice.
With regard to the rationale for the requested exclusion, each request for exclusion should address the following factors:
• Whether the particular product is available only from China. In addressing this factor, requestors should address specifically whether the particular product and/or a comparable product is available from sources in the United States and/or in third countries.
• Whether the imposition of additional duties on the particular product would cause severe economic harm to the requestor or other U.S. interests.
• Whether the particular product is strategically important or related to “Made in China 2025” or other Chinese industrial programs.
Requestors may also provide any other information or data that they consider relevant to an evaluation of the request.
It addition, responses to requests for product-specific exclusion must be filed within 14 days after a request for exclusion is posted on docket.
And replies to responses filed during the 14-day response period must be filed within 7 days after the close of response period.
China 301 (List 3): September 6, 2018
(1) Due date for submission of written comments. (extended deadline – previously August 17, 2018)
(2) Deadline for submission of post-hearing rebuttal comments (extended deadline – previously August 30, 2018)
– For covered products, please click here for the Federal Register Notice.
No date has been set for the effective date of the 10% or 25% duty effective on List 3 products.
In addition, there is no opportunity to file an exclusion request for products on List 3; the USTR’s office has advised that as of this writing there is no indication that the opportunity will be provided.
In addition to links to headlines regarding the President’s instruction to the USTR to increase the tariffs on Chinese imports and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce’s announcement of plans to add tariffs of 5, 10, 20 and 25 percent, the following governmental notices may be of interest to our members and the trade:
CBP’s Proposed Rule for a Modernized Drawback, Notices of the Accreditations and Approval of a Commercial Gauger and Laboratory, the COBRA Fees To Be Adjusted for Inflation in Fiscal Year 2019, Final Determinations: Subdermal Needle Electrodes and Privacy Impact Assessment for the Southwest Border Pedestrian Exit Field Test and Comment Requests regarding Biometric Identity and Free Trade Agreements, the current Bulletin with notices of Copyright, Trademark, and Trade Name Recordations, Notice of Issuance of Final Determination Concerning Certain Insufflation Tubing, the Reopening of Comment Period regarding the Bog Creek Road Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement & additional Comment Requests and the latest ABI messages;
CPSC and FDA Recalls and Consumer Updates;
OFAC’s Blocking and Unblocking of Persons and Properties;
ITA & ITC Monthly announcements advising of the Initiation of Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews and the Opportunity to Request Administrative Review in addition to a notice that Articles of Cheese are being Subject to In-Quota Rate of Duty and Notices of the Administrative Review Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders or Reviews, as well as updates on Determinations, Investigations and Complaints on merchandise such as Certain Uncoated Groundwood Paper from Canada and from Indonesia;
PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS
Administrative Order regarding the Continuation Of Drug Interdiction Assistance concerning Colombia and Executive Order Reimposing Certain Sanction against Iran;
USTR’s Final list of approximately $16 billion worth of imports from China that will be subject to a 25 percent additional tariff and Notice extending the response / comment times due to the Presidential request to increase certain tariffs from 10 to 25%;
California’s latest 60 Day Notices on items such as, but not limited to, certain travel sets, bags, hats and boxing gloves; and,
Canada’s latest Consumer Alert & Recall notices.
Members wishing to learn more about any of these items are encouraged to review details on the Gemini Member Site, or to contact the Gemini team.
FASA, Fashion Accessories Shippers Association (formerly the National Fashion Accessories Association and the National Handbag Association) has been working with industry leaders to establish New York market dates for the accessory industry for more than 30 years.
In collaboration with industry stakeholders, buyers, manufactures and wholesale firms we have undertaken two industry meeting and an industry survey answered by over 200 firms.
Based on consensus feedback from all participants it was determined that four market weeks, plus a cold weather market were appropriate for 2019. We are pleased to announce the Accessories Market Dates and trade show dates for 2019
February 4-8 Accessories Fall Market Week
May 6-10 Accessories Holiday Market Week
August 5-9 Accessories Spring Market Week
November 4-8 Accessories Summer Market Week
Additionally, for the cold weather segment, there will be a market week as follows:
January 7-11 Cold Weather Market Week
Trade shows
Jan 6-8 – NYC Javits/Hudson Yards
Accessories Circuit
Accessories the Show
February 25-27 – Javits/ Hudson Yards
Coterie
June 9-11- NYC- [pre]Collection Market Javits/Hudson Yard
Accessories Circuit
Accessories the Show
As in past years, FASA and key members of the industry came together to determine the most efficient market dates for the upcoming year. We are proud to be able to support this initiative and which all of our members and industry partners another successful year or product design and sales.
If you would like to contact us, please e-mail info@fasa.nyc.
Best Regards
Sara Mayes
CEO/President
FASA / Gemini Shipper Group
In addition to CBP release of its proposed rulemaking, updating the Drawback regulations, the following governmental notices may be of interest to our members and the trade:
APHIS’ Comment Requests concerning the Importation of assorted Fruits and Vegetables from varying countries and territories;
CPSC’s correction of typographical errors in its final rules regarding the Prohibition of Children’s Toys and Child Care Articles Containing Specified Phthalates;
CBP’s Notices of various Comment Requests, the current Bulletin containing CBP Decision 18–07 regarding Import Restrictions Imposed on Archaeological and Ethnological Material From Libya and the latest ABI messages;
CPSC and FDA Recalls and Consumer Updates;
FTC’s Final Revisions to Jewelry Guides, as well as a summary containing the Guides’ excerpted Analysis and Final Guidance sections;
FTZ Board current notices;
ITA Notices of the Administrative Review Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders or Reviews, as well as updates on Determinations, Investigations and Complaints on merchandise such as Multilayered Wood Flooring from the People’s Republic of China;
California’s latest 60 Day Notices on items such as, but not limited to, certain Vinyl Stickers, Handbags and Backpacks; and,
Canada’s latest Antidumping and Consumer Alert & Recall notices.
Members wishing to learn more about any of these items are encouraged to review details on the Gemini Member Site, or to contact the Gemini team.
