Biden Vetoes Bill that Would Reactivate Solar Tariffs
President Joe Biden vetoed a resolution this week that would cancel his two-year moratorium on solar equipment tariffs from four Southeast Asian countries. The President granted waivers for duties on solar panels made in Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand last June. Clean energy trade groups praised the veto. Read more from Reuters.
New Report Says Many More Products and Components Made with Forced Labor from XUAR
A report from Sheffield Hallam university published this week says the scope of products and raw materials made with forced labor from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) goes far beyond those currently targeted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The report lists many of them, including walnuts, grapes, food additives, pharmaceuticals, traditional Chinese medicines, furniture, magnesium fertilizer, aluminum alloys, and lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries. It says the share of total global production originating in Xinjiang is 45% for polysilicon, 25% for tomato paste, 20% for cotton, 12% for aluminum, and 10% for PVC. See the latest Sheffield Hallam University report.
USTR Extends Tariff Exclusions for COVID-19 Medical Products
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) published a notice today extending Section 301 tariff exclusions for 81 medical-care products, most of which are being extended through September 30, 2023, although a handful will expire at the end of May. USTR says the extensions will provide for “a transition period.” The previous extension period expired on Monday. See today’s USTR notice.