Customs & Logistics News
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U.S.
March 15, 2018
Section 301 Tariffs May Far Exceed Section 232 Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum
At the recently completed Washington International Trade Association event held on March 13, panelists said that the Section 301 investigation started last year of China may far surpass the recent Section 232 steel and aluminum import restrictions. Wendy Cutler, a former acting deputy U.S. trade representative, said that while steel and aluminum combined imports were less than $50 billion last year, the 301 investigation concerns “hundreds of billions of dollars. It’s going to have a profound impact on the trade world”. Section 301 investigation of China: https://ustr.gov/about-us/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2017/august/ustr-announces-initiation-section
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Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) Trade Practice Investigations
It is expected that a substantial increase in trade practice investigations will take place by the TTB. Due to an increase in budget, the Office of Special Operations was created within the TTB Trade Investigations Division. In a report by the TTB, “With these additional resources, TTB intends to substantially increase the number of trade practice investigations and increase outreach to the regulated industry to prevent and address violations.” TTB, Trade Investigations Division: https://www.ttb.gov/offices/tid.shtml
This document is CONFIDENTIAL and contains PROPRIETARY information. It is solely for the use of the recipient. Any further review, disclosure, copying, dissemination, distribution, or use of any of the information contained in this document is strictly prohibited. The recipient shall be liable for damages resulting from any disclosure of this information to any third party. ©2018 Trans American Companies.
South Korea Carrier Pact Cuts More Vietnam Services
Too many carriers and too little cooperation is frustrating Korean efforts to form a workable partnership between the country’s shipping lines serving the intra-Asia trade. Nine of the 14 containers lines in the Korean Shipping Partnership participate in services on the Korea-North Vietnam route, with Alphaliner reporting that in the latest rationalization move, the carrier group has agreed to remove one of the 13 weekly services. Detail as in Journal of Commerce article: https://www.joc.com/maritime-news/container-lines/korea-makes-more-cuts-vastly-oversupplied-vietnam-services_20180314.html
This document is CONFIDENTIAL and contains PROPRIETARY information. It is solely for the use of the recipient. Any further review, disclosure, copying, dissemination, distribution, or use of any of the information contained in this document is strictly prohibited. The recipient shall be liable for damages resulting from any disclosure of this information to any third party. ©2018 Trans American Companies.
North American Free Trade Negotiations
The seventh round of NAFTA negotiations concluded in Mexico City on March 5. Negotiators closed chapters on Good Regulatory Practices, Administration and Publication, and Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. Closing statement by the U.S. Trade Representative is available at: https://ustr.gov/about-us/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2018/february/statement-ustr-robert-lighthizer
This document is CONFIDENTIAL and contains PROPRIETARY information. It is solely for the use of the recipient. Any further review, disclosure, copying, dissemination, distribution, or use of any of the information contained in this document is strictly prohibited. The recipient shall be liable for damages resulting from any disclosure of this information to any third party. ©2018 Trans American Companies.
Canada
March 15, 2018
CFIA Food Labeling Modernization Initiative Phase III
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) launched the Food Labeling Modernization (FLM) Initiative in June of 2013. Feedback from Phase I helped to identify the key issues on the food labeling system. Phase II presented proposed options to modernize the system. The CFIA developed key proposals to modernize food labeling and carried out Phase III engagement. The CFIA has now issued a “What We Heard” report at the conclusion of Phase III. The report is available at the following link: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/labelling/labelling-modernization-initiative/phase-iii/eng/1513957863218/1513957863658
This document is CONFIDENTIAL and contains PROPRIETARY information. It is solely for the use of the recipient. Any further review, disclosure, copying, dissemination, distribution, or use of any of the information contained in this document is strictly prohibited. The recipient shall be liable for damages resulting from any disclosure of this information to any third party. ©2018 Trans American Companies.
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (CPTPP)
On March 8, the ten member countries (Canada, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Vietnam) of the CPTPP officially ratified the agreement in Santiago, Chile. Once the CPTPP enters into force, it will be one of the largest free trade agreements in the world, with countries that represent 495 million people and a combined GDP of $13.5 trillion. Government of Canada notice: https://international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/cptpp-ptpgp/index.aspx?lang=eng
This document is CONFIDENTIAL and contains PROPRIETARY information. It is solely for the use of the recipient. Any further review, disclosure, copying, dissemination, distribution, or use of any of the information contained in this document is strictly prohibited. The recipient shall be liable for damages resulting from any disclosure of this information to any third party. ©2018 Trans American Companies.
