Category Archives: trade deal

US China Trade Deal as of 12/13/2019.

December 13, 2019 By in international trade, trade deal, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment
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Official portrait of President Donald J. Trump, Friday, October 6, 2017. (Official White House photo by Shealah Craighead)

As you are aware, the Trump administration has confirmed a trade deal with China has been reached.

Phase one of the trade deal was just announced:

-List 1 remains at 25%

-List 2 remains at 25%

-List 3 remains at 25%

-List 4b is gone (4b was initially scheduled to take effect December 15th, and included consumer electronics such as cell phones, laptops, computers, etc.).

-“Most” (not all) of List 4a is going to drop to 7.5%.

We will monitor the Federal Register for what specifically is being reduced. If you have any further questions, contact experienced trade attorney David Hsu for immediate help by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

US China trade war update.

December 5, 2019 By in international trade, trade deal, trade law, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment
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According to a Bloomberg article today, sources close to the negotiations indicate the US and China are working on an agreement to phase one of a trade deal, despite Congress’ recent resolution in support of the Uighur population in Xinjiang coupled with the Trump administration’s signing of a bill supporting pro-democracy Hong Kong protesters.

The agreement will likely occur before December 15th, when the next list of tariffs are set to rise. Currently issues include guarantees of China’s purchases of US agricultural goods and which duties to roll back.

More news will be posted once an agreement has been reached. If you have any questions how the US/China trade war will impact your business, contact David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

 

India says they will not join the largest free trade deal – the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

November 10, 2019 By in Attorney, Import Export Attorney, international trade, RCEP, trade deal, trade law, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment
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Yesterday, India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi announced India would not join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

The RSCEP is a proposed trade deal among 16 countries and has been discussed for the past 7 years and the subject of over 28 rounds of discussion. The RCEP was believed to be the “largest trade deal” because both China and India were expected to participate. China, India and 14-other nations in the RCEP would account for 40% of the world’s GDP.

In a public statement, the government of India cited several reasons to withdraw from the RCEP: (1) India wanted stronger wording on rules of origin, (2) change in the base year for the reduction of duties to be 2019 instead of 2014 and (3) for companies investing in India to procure a certain percentage of local input materials.

The remaining 15 countries have vowed to continue efforts to pass the RCEP with India’s involvement.

Do you have any general trade or customs law questions? Contact David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

China leading the way for new trade deal with ASEAN nations.

November 3, 2019 By in ASEAN, RCEP, trade deal, trade law, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment
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This week, the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are meeting in Bangkok, Thailand and one main focus will be the creation of a free-trade pact that will cover 50% of the world’s population and 40% of the world’s commerce. The ASEAN nations hope to enact the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a trade deal that covers a territory from India to New Zealand.
In negotiation for the past few years, the current US China trade war is pushing the effort to create the RCEP. Will post any updates as available.
Do you have any trade or customs law questions, contact your trade and customs attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

US ends preferential trade for Thai exports.

October 31, 2019 By in GSP, trade deal, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , Leave a comment
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Earlier this week, the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced Friday it was suspending $1.3 billion in trade preferences for Thailand under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) due to Thailand’s failure to protect worker rights.

The worker rights issues have been an issue for over the years and complaints about working conditions have particularly focused on the fishing industry in Thailand.

The loss of GSP for Thai exports are effective next April and Thailand will likely try to negotiate the issue with the US prior to April of 2020.

If you have any questions how the loss of GSP for exports from Thailand will impact your business, contact experienced trade attorney David Hsu at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

Taiwan seeks entry into CPTPP

October 13, 2019 By in trade deal, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , Leave a comment
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Credit: Tony Tan

As reported by the Central News Agency in Taiwan – Taiwan’s President, Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said she hopes Japan will support Taiwan’s admission into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Since the US’s withdrawal, Japan has led the trade initiative and President Tsai hopes the strengthening ties between the two nations will help Taiwan enter the CPTPP.
Part of this recent push could be related to the recent loss of two of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies – Pacific island nations of Kiribati and the Soloman Islands. The loss of these two allies is the result of a pressure campaign by China and reduces Taiwan’s diplomatic allies from 17 to 15.

Phase 1 of the China trade deal explained.

October 12, 2019 By in China 2025, trade deal, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment
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Earlier this week, US and Chinese representatives met for the 13th time in ongoing negotiations to reach a trade deal. On Friday, President Trump outlined what has been referred to as “Phase 1”:
1. Suspension of tariff hike set for October 15th that would have increased tariffs from 25% to 30% on $250 billion in Chinese goods.
2. Some intellectual property protections on copyrights, trademarks and piracy (no movement on technology transfers, data flows, cyber security, product standard reviews or the new social credit system.
3. China’s commitment to purchase $50 billion in US agricultural products
The announcement is short on details and more information should be available in 5 weeks and details will be posted as soon as they are available.
If you have any questions how these duties will impact your business, or for any questions on trade with China, contact experienced trade attorney David Hsu at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

Trump impeachment inquiry delays USMCA ratification.

October 4, 2019 By in trade deal, Uncategorized, USMCA Tags: , , , Leave a comment
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This past Wednesday, the Trump administration warned the impeachment inquiry would likely result in no congressional action on the United States-Mexico-Canada trade deal (USMCA).

While the US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer believed the deal would pass the House, Trump was less confident and doesn’t believe the Houston majority leader will set a vote to pass the trade agreement.

Last year, Canada, the US and Mexico reached an agreement to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement with the final step being ratification among the three members. Canada and Mexico have already urged the US to ratify the agreement sooner rather than later.

If you have any questions how the new USMCA may impact your business, contact experienced trade attorney David Hsu at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

US and Japan reach trade deal.

October 4, 2019 By in Attorney, Import Export Attorney, Japan, trade deal, trade law, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment
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Last week, President Trump and his counterpart Prime Minister Abe of Japan reached a trade deal to cut tariffs and increase trade between the two nations.

Part of the deal includes Japan agreeing to reduce or cancel tariffs on American agricultural exports such as beef, corn, pork and fruit – with the US agreeing to reduce tariffs on bicycles, flowers, tea and other industrial products.

At the same time, the agreement prohibits future tariffs on streaming videos, music and video games.

If you have any questions about how the new trade deal with Japan will impact your business, contact experienced trade attorney David Hsu at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

Japan seeks assurance from US on car tariffs.

September 24, 2019 By in Japan, trade deal, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , Leave a comment
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Trade representatives from the US and Japan are working out details for a trade deal between the two nations – with both sides hoping to sign a trade deal this week during the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Previously, Trump has threatened the imposition of tariffs of upwards of 25% on Japanese cars, and the Japanese want a clause added to any trade deal that would cancel any trade benefits if and when the US imposes tariffs on automobiles.

This is the only issue currently delaying the signing of a long awaited trade deal between the US and Japan.

Other parts of the trade deal are expected to include more access for US farmers to the Japanese market, modernization of digital trade rules, internet development, prohibition of cross-border taxation of e-commerce and data localization requirements.