Tag Archives: steel

US to impose tariffs of up to 74% on fabricated structural steel from Mexico.

July 12, 2019 By in ADD/CVD, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment
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According to Mexico News Daily, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the results of a countervailing duty investigation found that Mexican steel exporters were subsidized by their government at rates from 0.01% to 74.01%. Besides Mexico, investigations of steel imports from China found subsidy rates of 30% to 177%. The investigation was brought by the Chicago-based American Institute of Steel Construction.

Separate investigations considered steel imports from Canada and China, and tariffs ranging from 30% to 177% will be imposed on product shipped to the United States by companies in the latter country. In Canada’s case, steel exporters were found to be receiving subsidies of less than 0.5% and no tariffs will be imposed. Imports of fabricated structural steel from Mexico totaled $622.4 milion last year.

In order to maintain competitiveness with foreign producers, the countervailing duty (CVD) rate is assesed against importers at a rate equal to the subsidy rate. One notable company subject to investigation and a 74.01% tariff is Swecomex, a subsidiary of Grupo Carso, which is owned by billionaire businessmen Carlos Slim, and Preacero Pellizzari Mexico.

The final determinations of its countervailing duty investigations will be announced on or about November 19th.

If you have any questions how these duties will impact your business, contact experienced AD/CVD attorney David Hsu at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

Trump issues order for agencies to buy US made steel, aluminum and cement.

February 7, 2019 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment
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U.S. President Donald J. Trump. Official portrait from whitehouse.gov

U.S. President Donald J. Trump signed a new executive order late January to further his “Buy America” initiative. The new executive order encourages government agencies to purchase a wider range of US made materials for infrastructure projects such as steel, aluminum and cement.

President Trump’s first “Buy America” executive order was signed in 2017, called the “Buy American, Hire American” executive order.

The executive order also requires the head of each agency to submit a report to President Trump identifying new opportunities to use Buy America rules. The reports are due by May 31st.

Full text of the executive order can be found here.

India postpones retaliatory tariffs on US goods until January 31st.

December 16, 2018 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment
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According to the Economic Times, India has postponed imposition of duties worth $235 million on American goods until January 31, 2019.

The retaliatory tariffs were in response to the Trump administration’s tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. The start date of India’s retaliatory tariffs was set for tomorrow (December 17th).

The new tariffs include a 120% tariff on US chickpeas, 70% tariff on chana and 40% on lentils.

The US and India are currently negotiating a settlement on various issues – India would like greater access to the US market for their agriculture, automobile, parts and engineering while the US seeks greater access for farm and medical devices.

Check back for the latest news as they become available. If you have any questions how your company’s exports to India may be impacted or if you have questions on how to save on steel and aluminum duties from India – contact experienced trade attorney David Hsu at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

EU approves counter tariffs against US steel and aluminum.

June 15, 2018 By in European Union, trade law, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment
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In response to US tariffs on steel and aluminum, all members of the EU unanimously approved a plan to impose import duties on $3.3 billion worth of US products of steel and aluminum.

Further details will be released in 3 days as they are available and duties are expected to be in place later this month or early July (the next scheduled meeting is June 20th).

Questions, call David Hsu at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

 

It’s official – US issues trade tariffs on steel and aluminum from the EU, Canada and Mexico.

May 31, 2018 By in ADD/CVD, European Union, Uncategorized, Whitehouse Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
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The Whitehouse issued two presidential proclamations that placed 25% steel and 10% aluminum tariffs on imports from the European Union, Canada and Mexico.

The full proclamations can be found here for steel and here for aluiminum.

If you have any questions on how these new tariffs will impact your business or what options you may have – contact experienced antidumping attorney David Hsu at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com for a free evaluation.

Trump delays decision on steel and aluminium tariffs.

April 30, 2018 By in ADD/CVD, Attorney, countervailing duty, Import, pipe spools, trade law, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

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A little background – back in March 2018, President Trump imposed worldwide tariffs of 25% on imports of steel and 10% on aluminum. Countries such as Canada, Mexico and the European Union were temporarily exempted from these tariffs.

Later in April, the US gave South Korea a permanent exemption from these tariffs in exchange for a 30% reduction of SK exports of steel to the United States.

One country not exempted was China, and as posted previously on this blog, China retaliated with their own duties on many US imports to the middle kingdom.

Fast forward to May 1st and the current administration has extended negotiations on steel and aluminium tariffs for an additional 30 days with Canada, Mexico and the European Union. Tentative agreements have been reached with Argentina, Brazil and Australia.

Check back here for more details as they become available.

EU wants to participate in the US-China steel dispute at the WTO.

April 24, 2018 By in European Union, Import Export Attorney, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

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As previously posted on this blog, China requested consultations with the WTO regarding the US import tariffs on steel and aluminum. Requesting a consultation with the WTO is the first stage in the dispute process with the WTO and now the EU asked on April 23rd to join the dispute.

It is important to note that one week from now, President Trump will decide whether these tariffs would apply to imports from the EU. A temporary exemption from the 25% duty on steel and 10% duty on aluminum was granted for the EU until May 1st. Temporary exemptions were also granted to Canada, Mexico, Australia, Argentina and Brazil. South Korean imports have been exempted indefinitely.

In addition to the EU, Hong Kong, Russia, India and Thailand have also filed requests to join the consultations. Check back for more information as it becomes available.

 

Renegotiated KORUS FTA results in changes more favorable to US companies.

March 28, 2018 By in Export, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

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According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative website, the Trump administration has negotiated additional favorable terms of the United States – Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) that went into effect in 2012.

Fulfilling part of his campaign promises, President Trump has re-negotiated the KORUS with these (and many more) favorable changes to US companies:

1. Korea will double the number of US automobile exports to 50,000 cars per manufacturer per year.

2. US automobile exports to Korea that meet US safety standards can enter the Korean market without further modification. This lowers the cost of US cars being sold in Korea as additional testing and modifications are not needed before the US cars are sold in the marketplace.

3. Korea will recognize US standards for auto parts to service US vehicles in Korea, this reduces the labeling burden for US parts manufacturers.

4. Korea will amend their Premium Pricing Policy for Global Innovative Drugs to ensure non-discriminatory and fair treatment for US pharamceutical exports.

5. Korea imports of steel products into the US will be subject to a product-specific quota equal to 70% for the average annual import volume of such products during the years 2015-2017, resulting in reduction of Korean steel shipments to the US.

If you have any questions regarding the KORUS or other trade and customs law issues, feel free to contact David Hsu at 832.896.6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

South Korea allows for increases on US auto imports in exchange for U.S. Steel tariff exemption.

March 27, 2018 By in Section 232, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

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According to Reuters, the US and South Korea agreed on Monday (March 27th, 2018) to revise the KORUS bilateral free trade deal. As part of the deal, South Korea would improve access to U.S. automakers and in exchange the US would exempt Korean steel from the new Section 232 duty rates.

President Trump has always claimed the current KORUS agreement was “horrible” and lead to a doubling of the U.S. goods trade deficit with South Korea since 2012. While the terms have not yet been announced, the agreement likely makes South Korea is the first US ally to receive an indefinite exemption but still subject to quotas.

In addition to South Korea, Trump has temporarily excluded other major US trading partners Canada, Mexico, Australia and the European Union from higher U.S. import duties on steel and aluminium.

Check back for the latest news and as always, please contact David Hsu at 832.896.6288 or attorney.dave@yahoo.com for all your trade and international law questions.

China imposes new tariffs on imports from the United States.

March 27, 2018 By in Attorney, Customs Lawyer, Export, international trade, Uncategorized Tags: , , , Leave a comment

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In response to the U.S. Section 232 tariff measures imposed on steel and aluminum products, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced their intention to impose tariffs on certain products from imported from the United States.

According to an English press release issued by the Ministry of Commerce (full text here), China intends to impose tariffs on 128 products that cover a wide range of items, from food and alcohol to oil and gas pipes.

The tariffs vary from 15% to 25% and a notice of tariffs is available here online for public comment.

A quick look at the list shows these items are subject to the increased tariffs: citrus fruits,
watermelons, dried apples, steel drilled oil and gas drilling pipes with an outside diameter less than 168 mm, cold rolled alloy steel seamless circular cross-section tubes
other fresh or cold pork, frozen pork liver, aluminum scrap, modified ethanol, and American ginseng.

For more information or if you would like to know whether your exported product will be subject to these new duties, contact experienced and bi-lingual English/Chinese Mandarin speaking attorney David Hsu now at 832.896.6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

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