The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements seeks comments by May 24 on a request by Canada to change the USMCA rules of origin for a fabric used in the production of fire hose. Canada says there is no commercial availability in the U.S., Canada or Mexico of “high-tenacity polyester yarn, single or multiple, multifilament, untwisted, untextured, and measuring more than 920 decitex, used in the production of fire hose, with or without lining, armor or accessories of other materials.” The yarn is classifiable in subheading 5402.20, and “end-use classification” for the fire hose is heading 5909.
The Commerce Department on April 18 released its quarterly update to its annual list of foreign government subsidies on imported articles of cheese subject to an in-quota rate of duty July 1, 2023, through Sept. 30, 2023. The agency again found that only Canada is providing subsidies, in the form of export assistance.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said April 17 she’s concerned that a host of upcoming elections around the world could fuel harmful sentiment against international trade.
The Commerce Department seeks public comments on any subsidies, including stumpage subsidies, paid by certain countries that exported softwood lumber to the U.S. July 1 through Dec. 31, 2023, it said in a notice. The Softwood Lumber Act of 2008 requires Commerce to submit a report every 180 days on any subsidy provided by nations exporting softwood lumber or softwood products to the U.S., including subsidies for stumpage. Commerce is seeking input on subsidies paid by countries whose exports composed at least 1% of total U.S. softwood imports by quantity, as classified under tariff schedule subheadings 4407.1100, 4407.1200, 4407.1300, 4407.1400 and 4407.1900, the agency said. International Trade Commission Tariff and Trade DataWeb information indicates that five countries -- Austria, Brazil, Canada, Germany and Sweden -- exported that much softwood lumber to the U.S. during that six-month period. Comments are due May 13.