Office of the United States Trade Representative October 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On September 8, 2022, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) received a petition requesting an investigation of certain alleged acts, policies, and practices of the government of Mexico concerning seasonal and perishable agricultural products. Due to the complexities of the factual and legal issues raised in the petition, the U.S. Trade Representative could not conclude during the 45-day statutory review period that an investigation would be effective and is not opening an investigation at this time. In light of challenges faced by U.S. producers, USTR in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will establish a private-sector industry advisory panel to recommend measures to promote the competitiveness of producers of seasonal and perishable produce in the southeastern United States. Furthermore, USTR and USDA will work with the petitioners and producers to examine the issues raised in the petition and to consider any further actions that may be appropriate.

USTR is conducting a four-year review of the July 6, 2018 action, as modified, and the August 23, 2018 action, as modified, in the section 301 investigation of China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation. As part of the review, USTR is seeking public comments on the effectiveness of the actions in achieving the objectives of the investigation, other actions that could be taken, and the effects of such actions on the United States economy, including consumers.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has implemented certain changes to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) to reflect Harmonized System modifications adopted by the World Customs Organization and changes to statistical categories. This notice announces conforming amendments to legal note provisions in the HTSUS associated with the actions in the section 301 investigation of China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation.