Monthly Archives: September 2019

Potential US Japan deal looks to boost US agriculture exports.

September 7, 2019 By in Japan, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , 1 Comment
selective focus photo of cheese and grater on plate

Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

As promised during his campaign, President Trump withdrew the US from the Trans Pacific Partnership – leaving Canada, Mexico and Australia as the major players; opting instead to enter into bilateral agreements with individual countries.
After the TPP took effect this January, US farm exports to Japan dropped by 2% for the first half of the year, with a projected annual net farm income loss of $4.4 billion annually. This could be due to US exports of beef to Japan now subject to a 38.5% duty, ground pork at 20% and some cheeses at 40%. The lack of a trade deal has also impacted
Japan’s exporters of steel and aluminum to the US. The President has previously threatened Japan with duties on auto imports.
The US and Japan have reached an agreement in principle expect to make the trade deal official in the upcoming months.

US and China trade talks to resume in October.

September 7, 2019 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment
pile of intermodal containers

Photo by Frans Van Heerden on Pexels.com

The office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) confirmed on Thursday that a deputy-level meeting would be held in mid-September to discuss plans for trade talks in October.
This past Sunday, new tariffs on US$125 billion of Chinese imports, including shoes and smartwatches, came into effect after President Trump said he was disappointed in China’s lack of effort to buy US farm goods. In return, China responded with duties on $75 billion of American goods, affecting crude oil exported from the US.
The agreed to talks in October will hopefully resolve the 13-month trade war between the two countries.
If you have any questions how your company may be impacted by the US/China trade war – contact experienced trade attorney David Hsu at by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

CBP finds rare first-in-nation pest in importation of corn.

September 6, 2019 By in pest, pests, Uncategorized, USDA, wood packaging material, wood wasps Tags: , , , Leave a comment
cratosomus2

A specimen of Cratosomus punctulatus
Gyllenhal, source: cbp.gov

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Brownsville, Texas intercepted a rare “First in Nation” pest in a shipment of corn.  The interception of the pest occurred at the Los Indios International Bridge import lot in a shipment of fresh corn from Mexico.
When the corn was inspected, CBP officers found the pest and submitted it to a U.S. Department of Agriculture entomologist. The initial identification was later confirmed by a national specialist as Cratosomus punctulatus Gyllenhal (Curculionidae) a pest not known to occur in the United States and intercepted for the first time in the nation.
This is a type of snout weevil that are plant feeders and many weeevils are pests of agricultural crops and forests.
If you have had your shipment seized due to pests or other invasive species, there may be some alternatives besides the ones given to you by Customs – contact experienced wood packing material and pest seizure attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com or dh@gjatradelaw.com.

CBP seizes $200,000 in unreported currency.

September 4, 2019 By in Uncategorized Leave a comment
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CBP media release of the seized funds.

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, officers in Roma, Texas  at the Falcon Dam Port of Entry seized over $200,000 in unreported currency hidden within a passenger vehicle during an outbound examination, Aug. 31.

The cash was found within 8 bundles totaling approximately $221,319 in unreported currency hidden within the 2012 Nissan Maxima. The traveler was a 41-year old male greencard holder (lawful permanent resident). The currency was seized and the driver was arrested before handling the case over to USCIS – Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

My thoughts – Customs can arrest people for traveling with unreported currency. It is discretionary and depends on the amount of the currency, destination and other circumstances. It isn’t a crime for someone to travel with more than $10,000, but the amount must be reported.

If you have had your hard-earned currency seized by Customs, call experienced currency seizure attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.