US and China Agree on Initiatives to Stabilize Economic Relationship
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo wrapped up her 4-day trip to China this week saying she hoped to soon see results from the visit. She called on China to provide fair and transparent treatment of U.S. companies. The U.S. and China agreed to form working groups and information exchanges on export controls and commercial trade. A new commercial issues working group will include private sector representatives and will meet twice a year with the U.S. hosting the first meeting in early 2024.
On Capitol Hill, however, some lawmakers, including House Foreign Affairs Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas), criticized the Commerce Department’s announcement as naïve and dangerous. Read Rep. McCaul’s statement.
BIS Proposes Revising Section 232 Exclusions Process
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is proposing changes to improve the exclusions process involving Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs.
Currently, the exclusion process focuses heavily on whether an HTSUS code has received objections regardless of the number or the merits of the objections. The proposed rule would change the focus. “BIS believes that the low rates of successful objections for specific 10-digit HTSUS classification codes shows that U.S. industry does not produce the products or subproducts in question in a sufficient and reasonably available amount or of a satisfactory quality.”
The proposal also includes introducing a General Denied Exclusions (GDE) process, which BIS says will improve efficiency and fairness in the process.
AAEI’s Trade Policy Committee will discuss the proposal with members at its next meeting in September. Not an AAEI member? Get info on how to join.
AAEI to Meet with CBP's Base Metals Center in October
AAEI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are hosting a meeting in October at CBP’s Base Metals Center of Excellence and Expertise (CEE) to discuss how to streamline the customs process and work more efficiently with CBP on aluminum imports.
The purpose of the meeting includes in-depth understanding of CBP’s intricate processes and initiatives. CBP is eager to collaborate with AAEI members and the trade community in overcoming hurdles and refining processes to champion legitimate trade, while quelling illicit activities that undermine our importing community.
For more information on AAEI’s meeting at CBP’s Base Metals CEE, please click here.
