On August 6 the Trump Administration announced that it would reimpose the 10% aluminum tariff on imports of Canadian “non-alloy unwrought aluminum” classified under HTS subheading 7601.10. The move has not garnered widespread support from industry or the US Chamber of Commerce, who called it “a step in the wrong direction.” The Administration’s proclamation claims
United States Trade Representative
USMCA…maybe next year?
Now that Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has dissolved Parliament and called for a general election (to be held October 21), chances of seeing the USMCA ratified by all three member states this year has become an increasingly remote possibility. However, the good news for USMCA supporters is that NAFTA’s replacement continues to enjoy support in…
US/China Trade War Escalates
On Friday, August 23, the Trump Administration announced an increase in Section 301 tariffs following China’s announcement of retaliatory tariffs targeting $75 billion of US goods. The announcement, which came by way of tweet, provided that Section 301 tariffs on all List 1 through 3 goods would be elevated from 25% to 30% effective October…
Will USMCA become a casualty of the US election?
Though the USMCA has been ratified by Mexico, the trade agreement still faces a vote in Canada and, perhaps more concerning, the US. Under the Trade Promotion Authority (“TPA”), both houses of US Congress must vote in favor of the implementing bill, which is expected to be submitted to Congress after September 1. Submission of…
USTR Announces Delays to Portions of Section 301 List 4
On August 13, the Trump Administration announced the “next steps” in implementation of the approximately $300 billion in additional tariffs set to go into effect September 1. This fourth round of Section 301 tariffs (known as “List 4”) was originally announced on May 17; however, the USTR has now modified and separated that list into…
Section 301 (China) Product Exclusions Update: Customs Guidance for U.S. Importers
It has been almost a year since the first round of Section 301 China tariffs went into effect on July 6, 2018. Since that time, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has reviewed thousands of product exclusion requests on Lists 1 and 2. Granted product exclusions are retroactive to the date of…
Section 232 Steel and Aluminum Tariffs: Country-Wide Exemptions
On March 8, 2018, the President of the United States issued two Presidential Proclamations announcing the imposition of tariffs on imported steel and aluminum products under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. This law allows the President to impose additional tariffs on imports when national security is impacted.
The proclamations impose worldwide…
Renegotiation of NAFTA Can Start This Week
President Trump can officially begin renegotiating NAFTA tomorrow, August 16th. The negotiation process can only start 90 days after President Trump officially notified Congress of this intention, which took place on May 18th.
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) became law in 1994. NAFTA is a comprehensive trade agreement that sets the rules of…
NAFTA Renegotiation – Public Comment Deadline Extended

Public comment on NAFTA renegotiations has been extended until midnight tonight ET, according to an Alert by Nevena Simidjiyska published on June 13:
The process of renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Mexico and Canada officially began on May 18 when…
Internet Powerhouses Make Priorities Known to U.S. Trade Representative
In a letter dated May 16, 2017, the Internet Association, a trade group representing some of the largest internet companies in the country (and the world), pressed newly confirmed U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to see their perspective on trade policies in the digital age.
Among the companies that the Internet Association represents are established…