White House Sends Lawmakers Priorities in Case of Partial Government Shutdown
September 4, 2024 – The Biden Administration sent Congress a list of priorities, budget “anomalies,” to include in a short-term spending measure if needed to avoid a government shutdown at the end of the month.
The 30-page list includes continuing the Export Control Officer Program at the Bureau of Industry and Security in Finland and Taiwan. The White House says, “The Bureau expanded its ECO program in Finland and Taiwan with funding included in the Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022, which expires on September 30, 2024. Without the anomaly, the Department would face difficulty continuing the ECO programs in Finland and Taiwan.”
Read the 2025 Continuing Resolution (CR) Appropriations Issues list.
China Responds to Canada's 100% Tariff in EV Imports
September 4, 2024 – China announced this week that it will conduct an anti-dumping investigation on canola imports from Canada, following Canada’s decision to apply 100% tariffs on electric vehicle (EV) imports from China. More than half of the canola exported to China comes from Canada. China is the world’s biggest oilseed importer. Read more from Reuters.
Tariff Hikes Coming Soon: USTR Final Determination in Section 301 Investigation
September 4, 2024 – The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced last week that its final determination regarding certain proposed modifications of the actions in the Section 301 investigation of China’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation is delayed but coming soon. The determination will be the basis for tariff hikes on about $18 billion worth of Chinese goods, including semiconductors and electric vehicles. See USTR’s webpage on Section 301 – China Technology Transfer.
U.S. Trade Deficit Hits 2-Year High
September 4, 2024 – The U.S. trade deficit rose to almost 8-percent in July, reaching its highest level in more than two years. The Bureau of Economic Analysis says the gap represents $78.8 billion in good and services. While U.S. exports rose a half-percent in July, U.S. imports also rose by more than 2-percent. See the latest data from the Commerce Department.
