U.S. Irons Out USMCA-Related Trade Dispute with Mexico
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced this week it has resolved a labor dispute with an auto parts manufacturer in Mexico using a facility-specific Rapid Response Labor Mechanism (RRM) petition under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The trade enforcement win at a Mexican unit of Stellantis ends one of Mexico’s longest labor conflicts. The announcement marks the fourth labor probe to be successfully concluded under USMCA. Read the USTR statement.
Industry Report: Container Fees Remain High in U.S. Despite Global Decline
Detention and demurrage (D&D) charges are fueling high shipping container fees in the U.S., according to a new report by Container xChange, a shipping container marketplace provider. Ports with the world’s highest D&D charges are the Port of New York and New Jersey and the Ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach. Meanwhile, the global average of D&D charges have fallen from last year’s record highs. Read the Container xChange Demurrage & Detention Benchmark 2022.
USTR: Trade Can Be Force for Good
In a speech last week, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai touted new federal funds for infrastructure and manufacturing projects and cast the Biden Administration’s trade policy as good U.S. workers. “Trade can be a force for good,” Ambassador Tai told steelworker. “It’s about what you’re for. We are for doing trade the right way.” Read the USTR speech.
