The chip shortage in the auto industry spurred many GlobalFoundries automotive customers to sign long-term agreements (LTAs) with the chipmaker “to ensure supply continuity for their new products that ramp over the next three to five years,” said CEO Tom Caulfield on a Q3 earnings call Tuesday, GF’s first since going public Oct. 28. “Semiconductor is going to become the defining line for differentiation in the automotive experience,” he said.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel's reconfirmation prospects grew stronger Wednesday after the Senate Commerce Committee advanced her nomination to the floor on a bipartisan vote, as expected (see 2111300064). A subsequent confirmation hearing for Democratic commission nominee Gigi Sohn, meanwhile, cemented perceptions that her chances of Senate approval are imperiled. Panel Republicans revealed the extent of their concerns about her candidacy during the hearing, over her views on net neutrality and other matters, also as expected (see 2111300068). At least three Republicans are considering holds on Sohn, including two over the tenor of her past tweets critical of major telecom and media companies. NTIA administrator nominee Alan Davidson also drew lawmakers' attention but little criticism.

Senate Commerce Committee members’ treatment of Democratic FCC nominee Gigi Sohn during her Wednesday confirmation hearing is likely to sharply divide along party lines, in sharp contrast to a potential overwhelming bipartisan panel vote to advance commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel’s reconfirmation to the full chamber (see 2111300064), lawmakers and lobbyists said in interviews. NTIA administrator nominee Alan Davidson may also get some senators’ attention during the hearing but is likely to avoid harsh questioning due to expectation that Sohn will be the main focus. The hearing will immediately follow the 10:15 a.m. Senate Commerce executive meeting in 253 Russell.

Senate Commerce Committee Republicans’ questioning of Democratic FCC nominee Gigi Sohn at a planned Wednesday confirmation hearing (see 2111230066) is likely to partially focus on her views on the fairness doctrine in a bid to suggest her joining the commission would increase the chances the agency would seek to bring back the long-rescinded rules, lawmakers and officials told us. Sohn backers question the likely GOP focus on that issue, arguing that while she and others in the past preferred bringing back the rules, such erstwhile supporters see virtually no momentum in its favor under a 3-2 Democratic majority.

The FTC won’t “back down because corporate lobbyists are making threats,” an agency spokesperson responded to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce claiming the agency is overstepping its legal authority. Filings and letters from the chamber object to various practices under Chair Lina Khan. The chamber Friday challenged so-called “zombie voting” by ex-Commissioner Rohit Chopra, or votes counted after he left office. The business group claimed the independent agency’s decision-making is being influenced by external parties like the White House, and it questioned FTC use of civil penalty authority, as suggested by Chopra. The chamber filed more than 30 Freedom of Information Act requests seeking “detailed information" on how the agency “manipulated its rules and procedures while potentially ceding its independent agency status to political interference.” It raised concerns about commissioners unilaterally authorizing compulsory investigations, changing the rulemaking process to give Khan more control and the repeal of competition-related policy statements and merger guidelines. “The FTC just announced we are ramping up efforts to combat corporate crime and now the Chamber declares ‘war’ on the agency,” said the agency in a statement. “We are not going to back down because corporate lobbyists are making threats. We will continue to do our job and stand up for consumers, honest businesses, workers, and entrepreneurs who deserve a fair marketplace.”

Plans to increase a tax credit for electric vehicles containing a U.S.-made battery if the car was assembled in a U.S., union-represented plant is a source of worry for Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in French Nov. 18 at a news conference after the North American Leaders' Summit, according to a story from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. "This would be quite a problem for vehicle production in Canada," he said. "We stressed this with the Americans throughout our conversations. They've heard us loud and clear." The provisions are part of the Build Back Better bill that passed the House the following day on Nov. 19.

Plans to increase a tax credit for electric vehicles containing a U.S.-made battery if the car was assembled in a U.S., union-represented plant is a source of worry for Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in French Nov. 18 at a news conference after the North American Leaders' Summit, according to a story from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. "This would be quite a problem for vehicle production in Canada," he said. "We stressed this with the Americans throughout our conversations. They've heard us loud and clear." The provisions are part of the Build Back Better bill that passed the House the following day on Nov. 19.

The California Public Utilities Commission unanimously cleared Verizon buying Tracfone (see our report here), leaving the FCC as the final regulatory approval needed for the acquisition that would affect many low-income customers. CPUC commissioners voted 5-0 at a virtual meeting Thursday to allow the deal. FCC officials told us they expect the agency to move forward in coming weeks, following the CPUC action.

The 1974 Trade Act “does not authorize” the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to increase the “original” Section 301 Lists 1 and 2 tariffs on Chinese goods under the “circumstances present” in the Lists 3 and 4A duties, argued Akin Gump lawyers for sample case plaintiffs HMTX Industries and Jasco Products in their final written brief Monday at the U.S. Court of International Trade before the litigation moves to oral argument Feb. 1. HMTX and Jasco, plus the thousands of complaints their September 2020 lawsuit sparked, seek to get the tariffs thrown out and the paid duties refunded with interest.

The 1974 Trade Act “does not authorize” the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to increase the “original” Section 301 lists 1 and 2 tariffs on Chinese goods under the “circumstances present” in the lists 3 and 4A duties, argued Akin Gump lawyers for sample case plaintiffs HMTX Industries and Jasco Products, in their final written brief Nov. 15 at the Court of International Trade before the litigation moves to oral argument Feb. 1, 2022. HMTX and Jasco, plus the thousands of complaints their September 2020 lawsuit sparked, seek to get the lists 3 and 4A tariffs thrown out and the paid duties refunded with interest.