In an attempt to become a modern hub in Southern China for domestic and international arbitration, the Government of Shenzhen announced at the end of December 2017 that it was combining two arbitration centers. The previous Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (“SCIA”) and the Shenzhen Arbitration Commission will be combined into one center called the
Chemical Duties: Federal Circuit Affirms Decision of U.S. Court of International Trade
In a customs classification case, Chemtall, Inc. v. United States, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a U.S. Court of International Trade (“CIT”) ruling that the vinyl polymer acrylamide tertiary butyl sulfonic acid was properly classified under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”).
The Federal Circuit was
E.U. Financial Leaders Respond to the Proposed U.S. Tax Plan
Some of the most important trade partners of the U.S. are raising concerns about the proposed U.S. plan to overhaul its tax code. The finance ministers of Europe’s five largest economies voiced concerns about the tax plan in a letter sent to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Monday, December 11, 2017.
The letter was signed
Enhanced Sanctions on Russia’s Energy Sector
In consultation with the Department of State and pursuant to Executive Order 13662, the Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) has updated Directive 4, which will expand sanctions on the Russian energy industry.
The new rules issued by OFAC prohibit certain activities by a U.S. person or within the United States, except
Trump Nominates Commissioners to the International Trade Commission
President Donald Trump announced his nomination of two Commissioners to the United States International Trade Commission (“ITC”) on September 28, 2017.
The two nominees are Dennis M. Devaney and Randolph J. Stayin. If approved, Devaney of Michigan will serve the remainder of a nine-year term expiring June 16, 2023, and Stayin of Virginia will serve
U.S. Lifts Sudan Sanctions
On October 12, 2017, the United States lifted its general commercial embargo on Sudan. Because Sudan has played a role in international terrorism, the U.S. has maintained a comprehensive embargo against Sudan since 1997. These sanctions were contained in executive orders and the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations (SSR).
Following a 16-month diplomatic effort, the United States
U.S. Investigation of Steel Flanges from China and India
On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Commerce began its preliminary phase antidumping and countervailing duty investigations pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930. The Department of Commerce is looking into whether the imports of stainless steel flanges from China and India, which are alleged to be sold in the U.S. at less than fair
OFAC Settles Iran Sanctions Claims
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) announced a $415,350 settlement agreement with COSL Singapore Ltd. (“COSL”). The parties settled a potential civil liability claim for 55 apparent violation of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 560 (ITSR), which took place between October 2011 and
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
New Sanctions Despite Iran’s Compliance with the JCPOA
Last week the Trump administration announced new Iran-related sanctions imposed against 18 Iranian entities and individuals. The sanctions are the administration’s response to Iran’s ballistic missile program and destabilizing actions in the region.
The actions of the administration were taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and