Top Stories: USTR Shift
January 8, 2025–Top Stories: USTR Shift White House Update U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel filed a federal lawsuit against the Biden Administration this week, challenging the Administration’s decision to block Nippon’s proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel. Read the White House Press Release. Legislative Update A bill introduced this week would form a committee to plan the transfer of USTR’s functions […]
Top Stories: Forced Labor
December 11, 2024 – The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced an investigation of Nicaragua yesterday under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The investigation was initiated to investigate “acts, policies, and practices that may violate labor rights, human rights, and dismantle the rule of law.” Other Stories: USTR announced tariff increases under Section 301 […]
Top Stories: CBP Challenges
CBP Meets with AAEI Members on Top Challenges December 4, 2024 – Officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) answered AAEI members’ questions this week at a special meeting of AAEI’s Customs Committee. The discussion included CBP’s efforts on the committee’s big trade issues, including agency staffing, customs modernization, and screening improvements on de […]
Top Stories: Trump’s Trade Leaders
Trump Selects Rubio, Noem, Homan for Key Trade and Security Roles November 13, 2024 – President-elect Donald Trump is assembling his cabinet and high-ranking administration officials, following his election victory last week. He has selected Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) as Secretary of State, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security, and former […]
Top Stories: Trump Trade 2.0
Trade Community Braces for New Era of U.S. Trade Policy November 6, 2024 – Former President Donald Trump secured enough Electoral College votes overnight to become President-elect following yesterday’s general election. AAEI has been preparing members for post-election trade strategies. During his campaign, Trump outlined the trade policies he plans to pursue, including potential 10-20% […]
Top Stories: New Tariff Regime?
Companies Plan for New Tariff Regime by Raising Prices for U.S. Consumers October 30, 2024 – U.S. companies that depend on imports and imported components for manufacturing and consumer sales are already planning for high tariffs in the near future. Stanley Black & Decker, for example, intends to raise prices and shift its production to […]
Top Stories: Next Trade Leaders
Media Reports: Front-runners to be Next Trade Leaders October 23, 2024 – With the Presidential Election less than two weeks away, analysts are projecting who might fill Cabinet positions depending on the outcome. Politico reports (here and here): U.S. Trade Representative Harris Rahm Emanuel – Former White House Chief of Staff (2009-2010) Nelson Cunningham – […]
Top Stories: Tariff Exclusions
USTR Opens Exclusion Process for Section 301 Tariffs October 16, 2024 – The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) opened the exclusion process for certain machinery in domestic manufacturing to be temporarily excluded from Section 301 tariffs. USTR provided a list of eligible subheadings. The docket closes on March 31, 2025. Other Stories: CBP announced a 30-day […]
Top Stories: Strike Effects
Three-Day Port Strike Leaves Lasting Effects October 9, 2024 – The strike at U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports ended after 3 days last week, with a tentative agreement resulting in dockworkers returning to work until January 15, 2025. Analysts say the strike will not have a long-term impact on the U.S. economy, while some […]
Top Stories: Port Strike
Importers Scramble to Adjust to East Coast Port Strike October 2, 2024 – A strike by dockworkers on the Gulf Coast began this week, stopping shipments at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports. There are reportedly no negotiations scheduled between the two sides. Many affected ports have issued industry advisories about what shippers can expect […]