Office of the United States Trade Representative 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The tariff rate quota (TRQ) for sugar containing products (SCPs) of Canada established by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA or the Agreement) will be administered using export certificates.

On August 20, 2019, at the direction of the President, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to modify the action being taken in the Section 301 investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation by imposing additional duties of 10 percent ad valorem on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $300 billion. The additional duties on products in List 1, which is set out in Annex A of that action, became effective on September 1, 2019. On August 30, 2019, at the direction of the President, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to increase the rate of the additional duty applicable to the tariff subheadings covered by the action announced in the August 20 notice from 10 to 15 percent. On January 22, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to reduce the rate from 15 to 7.5 percent. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated a product exclusion process in October 2019, and as of June 12, 2020, had issued five product exclusion notices under this action. The product exclusions granted under these notices are scheduled to expire on September 1, 2020. The U.S. Trade Representative has decided to consider a possible extension for up to 12 months of particular exclusions granted under these initial five product exclusion notices. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) invites public comment on whether to extend particular exclusions.

Effective August 23, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed additional duties on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $16 billion as part of the action in the Section 301 investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated the exclusion process in September 2018 and granted multiple sets of exclusions. The third set of exclusions was granted in October 2019, and are scheduled to expire on October 2, 2020. The U.S. Trade Representative has decided to consider a possible extension for up to 12 months of particular exclusions granted in October 2019. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) invites public comment on whether to extend particular exclusions.

The U.S. Trade Representative is expressly rescinding the withdrawal, issued in October 2019 (the October Withdrawal), of the exclusion of bifacial solar panels from application of the safeguard measure on imports of certain solar products pursuant to a Section 201 investigation. The October Withdrawal is superseded by the withdrawal determination made by the U.S. Trade Representative in April 2020 that the bifacial solar panel exclusion is undermining the objectives of the safeguard measure (the April Withdrawal).

Effective July 6, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed additional duties on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $34 billion as part of the action in the Section 301 investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. The U.S. Trade Representative's determination included a decision to establish a product exclusion process. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated the exclusion process in July 2018, and stakeholders have submitted requests for the exclusion of specific products. In December 2018, March, April, May, June, July, September, October, December 2019, and February and May 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative issued determinations to grant exclusion requests and issue amendments. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to make a technical amendment to one previously granted exclusion.

Effective September 24, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed additional duties on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $200 billion as part of the action in the Section 301 investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated an exclusion process for the $200 billion action in June 2019 and issued 14 product exclusion notices under this action. The product exclusions granted under these notices are scheduled to expire on August 7, 2020. The U.S. Trade Representative previously decided to consider a possible extension for up to 12 months of particular exclusions granted under the initial 11 product exclusion notices and has now decided to consider a possible extension for up to 12 months of particular exclusions granted under the remaining product exclusion notices. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) invites public comment on whether to extend particular exclusions.

Effective July 6, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed additional duties on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $34 billion as part of the action in the Section 301 investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated the exclusion process in July 2018 and to date, has granted 10 sets of exclusions under the $34 billion action. The fifth set of exclusions was published in June 2019 and will expire in June 2020. On March 20, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative established a process for the public to comment on whether to extend particular exclusions granted in June 2019 for up to 12 months. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to extend certain exclusions through December 31, 2020.

On August 20, 2019, at the direction of the President, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to modify the action being taken in the Section 301 investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation by imposing additional duties of 10 percent ad valorem on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $300 billion. The additional duties on products in List 1, which is set out in Annex A of that action, became effective on September 1, 2019. On August 30, 2019, at the direction of the President, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to increase the rate of the additional duty applicable to the tariff subheadings covered by the action announced in the August 20 notice from 10 percent to 15 percent. On January 22, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to reduce the rate from 15 percent to 7.5 percent. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated a product exclusion process in October 2019, and interested persons have submitted requests for the exclusion of specific products. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination, as specified in the Annex to this notice, to correct technical errors in previously announced exclusions. The U.S. Trade Representative will continue to issue decisions on pending requests on a periodic basis.

Effective July 6, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed additional duties on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $34 billion as part of the action in the Section 301 investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated the exclusion process in July 2018 and, to date, has granted 10 sets of exclusions under the $34 billion action. The fourth set of exclusions was published in May 2019 and will expire in May 2020. On March 12, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative established a process for the public to comment on whether to extend particular exclusions granted in May 2019 for up to 12 months. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to extend certain exclusions until December 31, 2020.

On August 20, 2019, at the direction of the President, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to modify the action being taken in the Section 301 investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation by imposing additional duties of 10 percent ad valorem on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $300 billion. The additional duties on products in List 1, which is set out in Annex A of that action, became effective on September 1, 2019. On August 30, 2019, at the direction of the President, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to increase the rate of the additional duty applicable to the tariff subheadings covered by the action announced in the August 20 notice from 10 percent to 15 percent. On January 22, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to reduce the rate from 15 percent to 7.5 percent. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated a product exclusion process in October 2019, and interested persons have submitted requests for the exclusion of specific products. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to grant certain exclusion requests, as specified in the Annex to this notice, and corrects a technical error in a previously announced exclusion. The U.S. Trade Representative will continue to issue decisions on pending requests on a periodic basis.

Effective August 23, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed additional duties on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $16 billion as part of the action in the Section 301 investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. The U.S. Trade Representative's determination included a decision to establish a product exclusion process. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated the exclusion process in September 2018, and stakeholders have submitted requests for the exclusion of specific products. In July, September, and October 2019, and February 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative issued determinations to grant certain exclusion requests on a rolling basis. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to make certain technical amendments to previously granted exclusions.

In September 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed additional duties on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $200 billion as part of the action in the Section 301 investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated a product exclusion process in June 2019, and interested persons have submitted requests for the exclusion of specific products. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to grant certain exclusion requests, as specified in the Annex to this notice, and corrects technical errors in previously announced exclusions.

Effective September 24, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed additional duties on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $200 billion as part of the action in the Section 301 investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated an exclusion process for the $200 billion action in June 2019, and as of March 26, 2020, has issued 11 product exclusion notices under this action. The product exclusions granted under these notices are scheduled to expire on August 7, 2020. The U.S. Trade Representative has decided to consider a possible extension for up to 12 months of particular exclusions granted under these initial 11 product exclusion notices. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) invites public comment on whether to extend particular exclusions.

Effective August 23, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed additional duties on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $16 billion as part of the action in the Section 301 investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated the exclusion process in September 2018 and granted multiple sets of exclusions. He granted the first set of exclusions in July 2019, which are scheduled to expire on July 31, 2020. The U.S. Trade Representative has decided to consider a possible extension for up to 12 months of particular exclusions granted in July 2019. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) invites public comment on whether to extend particular exclusions.

For a limited period, a North American producer of passenger vehicles and light trucks (vehicle producer) may request an alternative to the standard staging regime for the rules of origin for automotive goods under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA or the Agreement) using the procedures and guidance for submitting petitions in this notice.

On March 23, 2020, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) solicited comments and announced that the Trade Policy Staff Committee would hold a public hearing on a proposed U.S.-Republic of Kenya trade agreement. Consistent with guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning COVID-19, USTR is cancelling the public hearing. USTR is extending the deadline for written comments.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice of the allocations of additional Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 in-quota quantities of the tariff-rate quotas (TRQ) for imported raw cane and refined sugars as announced by the Secretary of Agriculture on April 3, 2020.

On March 10, 2020, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced that USTR and the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce would convene public hearings in Florida and Georgia to hear firsthand from interested persons on trade distorting policies that may be causing harm to U.S. seasonal and perishable producers. Consistent with guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's concerning COVID-19, USTR is postponing the public hearings and will announce rescheduled dates. USTR will continue to accept written comments.

In September of 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed additional duties on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $200 billion as part of the action in the Section 301 investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated a product exclusion process in June 2019, and interested persons have submitted requests for the exclusion of specific products. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to grant certain exclusion requests, as specified in the Annex to this notice, and corrects technical errors in previously announced exclusions.

On March 17, 2020, the U.S Trade Representative notified Congress of the Administration's intent to enter into negotiations with the Republic of Kenya (Kenya) for a U.S.-Kenya trade agreement. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is seeking public comments on a proposed U.S.-Kenya trade agreement, including U.S. interests and priorities, in order to develop U.S. negotiating positions. You can provide comments in writing and orally at a public hearing. The Administration's aim in negotiations with Kenya is to address both tariff and non-tariff barriers and to achieve free, fair, and reciprocal trade.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) requires the establishment of a roster of individuals who would be available to serve as panelists for general state-to-state dispute settlement panels and for specialized labor panels. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) invites applications from eligible individuals wishing to be included on either or both rosters.

On August 20, 2019, at the direction of the President, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to modify the action being taken in the Section 301 investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation by imposing additional duties of 10 percent ad valorem on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $300 billion. The additional duties on products in List 1, which is set out in Annex A of that action, became effective on September 1, 2019. On August 30, 2019, at the direction of the President, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to increase the rate of the additional duty applicable to the tariff subheadings covered by the action announced in the August 20 notice from 10 percent to 15 percent. On January 22, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative determined to reduce the rate from 15 percent to 7.5 percent. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated a product exclusion process in October 2019, and interested persons have submitted requests for the exclusion of specific products. This notice announces the U.S. Trade Representative's determination to grant certain exclusion requests, as specified in the Annex to this notice. The U.S. Trade Representative will continue to issue decisions on pending requests on a periodic basis.

In a notice published February 21, 2020 (February 21 notice), the U.S. Trade Representative determined to modify the action being taken in this Section 301 investigation. This notice corrects a ministerial error in the consolidated list of descriptive subheadings included in Section 2 of Annex 2 of the February 21 notice. The operative tariff language in Annex 1 of the February 21 notice is not affected.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture will convene public hearings in Florida and Georgia to hear firsthand from interested persons on trade distorting policies that may be causing harm to U.S. seasonal and perishable producers (namely, of fresh fruits and vegetables) and contributing to unfair pricing in the U.S. market, and to solicit feedback on how the Administration can better support these producers and redress any unfair harm.