Maritime Regulations

The Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) is seeking public input on how the Federal government may prudently manage regulatory costs imposed on the maritime sector. OIRA seeks public comment on how existing agency requirements affecting the maritime sector can be modified or repealed to increase efficiency, reduce or eliminate unnecessary or unjustified regulatory burdens, or simplify regulatory compliance while continuing to meet statutory missions. This RFI is meant to inform agencies’ development of regulatory reform proposals.

Comments should be submitted via regualtions.gov by July 16, 2018.

NAEGA members interested in contributing to these comments should contact Ryan.

Additional Tariffs against China

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is seeking public comment on the announcement of new tariffs on Chinese goods related to its Section 301 investigation into Chinese intellectual property practices. According to the Section 301 investigation, USTR has determined that the acts, policies, and practices of the Government of China related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation are unreasonable or discriminatory and detrimentally affect U.S. commerce. As a result, the President has ordered the implementation of a 25 percent tariff on an initial $34 billion of certain products from China on July 6, 2018. The proposed products to be targeted by this additional tariff can be found here.

Following the initial implementation of tariffs on $34 billion of Chinese production, the USTR is seeking comments from U.S. stakeholders on a further $16 billion of products to be implemented at a future date. A list of these products can be found here. Public comments regarding this proposed additional action are welcome and will be received according to the following schedule:

June 29, 2018: Due date for filing requests to appear and a summary of expected testimony at the public hearing and for filing pre-hearing submissions.

July 23, 2018: Due date for submission of written comments.

July 24, 2018: The Section 301 Committee will convene a public hearing in the main hearing room of the U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436 beginning at 9:30 a.m.

July 31, 2018: Due date for submission of post-hearing rebuttal comments.

Comments should be submitted via regulations.gov by July 23, 2018.

NAEGA members interested in contributing to these comments should contact Gary or Ryan.

Comments on Canadian Retaliatory Duties

The Government of Canada is accepting comments regarding which American products should have additional tariffs imposed upon them in retaliation for U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs, which were enacted by the Trump Administration on June 1, 2018. The government hopes to have its tariffs in place beginning July 1 but is still discerning which products its tariffs will affect. Canada expects the duties on the chosen products to mirror the U.S. tariffs, at an additional 10 percent or 25 percent.

A list of items under consideration for retaliatory measures can be found here.

Interested parties may submit their comments to Canada’s Department of Finance via fax or email through June 15, 2018.

 NAEGA members interested in submitting comments should contact Ryan.

Comments on Maritime Regulations

The Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) is seeking public input on how the Federal government may prudently manage regulatory costs imposed on the maritime sector. OIRA seeks public comment on how existing agency requirements affecting the maritime sector can be modified or repealed to increase efficiency, reduce or eliminate unnecessary or unjustified regulatory burdens, or simplify regulatory compliance while continuing to meet statutory missions. This RFI is meant to inform agencies’ development of regulatory reform proposals.

Comments should be submitted via regualtions.gov by July 16, 2018.

NAEGA members who are interested in contributing to these comments should contact Ryan.

Comments on Section 232 Investigation into Automobiles

The U.S. Department of Commerce is seeking industry public comment on its investigation into the national security effects of imports of automobiles. On May 23, 2018, the Secretary of Commerce initiated an investigation to determine the effects on the national security of imports of automobiles, including cars, SUVs, vans and light trucks, and automotive parts. This investigation was initiated under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.

Interested parties are invited to submit written comments, data, analyses, or other information pertinent to the investigation to the Department of Commerce by June 22, 2018. Rebuttal comments will be due by July 6, 2018. The Department of Commerce will also hold a public hearing on the investigation on July 19 and 20, 2018 in Washington, DC.

NAEGA members who are interested in submitting public comment on this investigation should contact Ryan.  

Hearing on China Agricultural Policies

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission will hold a public hearing on China Agricultural Policies: Trade, Investment, Safety and Innovation on Thursday, April 26 beginning at 9:00am in the Russell Senate Office Building 328A. The meeting will include discussions from two panels of witnesses who will cover the topics of China’s Food Security Policies and U.S.-China Trade in Agriculture and Chinese Biotech Policy and Food Safety. A copy of the meeting agenda and witnesses can be found here.

U.S. Section 301 Comments

The last opportunity for public comment regarding the U.S. Trade Representative’s Section 301 investigation expires at midnight tonight, May 22. Currently, the investigation is still ongoing despite Trump Administration officials comments that the proposed “trade war” with China was off the table following productive meetings with the Chinese government that concluded in a join press release on May 19. NAEGA is very closely engaged with the Trump Administration in their ongoing discussion with the Chinese government. According to the White House, the Chinese government has agreed to purchase more farm and agricultural products.

Background:
The U.S. Trade Representative is seeking public comment on its findings under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 that the Government of China’s policies on technology transfer, intellectual property and innovation that are unreasonable and discriminatory. In relation to these findings, the Trade Representative proposes an additional duty of 25 percent on a list of products from China. In addition to receiving public comment, USTR will also hold a hearing on May 15, 2018. Parties interested in testifying before the hearing or participating in the public comment period should adhere to the following schedule:

Please contact NAEGA if you are interested in participating in these comments.

Codex Alimentarius Analysis and Sampling Comments

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration are sponsoring a public meeting on April 6, 2018 to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States (U.S.) positions to be discussed at the 39^th Session of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex). The meeting will take place in Budapest, Hungary, between May 7 and 11, 2018. The public meeting is scheduled for Friday, April 6, 2018, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. To register for the meeting please click here.

Comments on Deregulation of Herbicide Resistant GE Canola

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is inviting public comment on a petition from BASF Plant Science L.P. (BASF) seeking deregulation of a canola variety genetically engineered (GE) to convert oleic acid to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), as well as for resistance to an imidazolinone herbicide.

Comments may be submitted from March 30, 2018 – May 29, 2018, at www.regulations.gov by entering docket number APHIS-2018-0014 in the search box.

Trade Finance Advisory Council – Washington, D.C. – February 22

The U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Finance Advisory Council (TFAC) will hold a meeting on Thursday, February 22 at the U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Ave NW, 20230. The meeting will focus on possible recommendations on policies and programs that can increase awareness of, and expand access to, private export financing resources for U.S exporters. Attendees will also hear from officials from the Department of Commerce and other agencies on issues impacting the scope of their work and mission. The meeting is open to the public but please register here.