Tag Archives: trade war

China’s #2, – Premier Li Keqiang eases trade tensions with the US.

July 2, 2019 By in exclusion, international trade, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment
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According to the New York Times, China’s Number 2 official, Premier Li Keqiang speaking at the World Economic Forum in the Chinese port city of Dalian, promised to cut tariffs, loosen restrictions on foreign investments, protect intellectual property rights and allow foreign companies to apply for China’s generous subsidies for research and development.

Speaking during a question and answer session, Li also said that China would allow foreign financial services companies into its market a year earlier than previously promised, and that it would rewrite many rules on foreign investment.

The NYT mentioned the lack of details, and indicated previous vague promises by Chinese officials in the past.

In addition to extending an olive branch to foreign companies, Premier Li’s remarks also sought to calm worries about the relocation of manufacturing overseas as a result of the Section 232 and 301 duties levied against China.

If you have questions how the China duties will impact your business, contact David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at dh@gjatradelaw.com, attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

Will the new US/China trade war truce lead to a trade deal?

June 30, 2019 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment
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Two big newsworthy events happened over the weekend at the G20 summit. First, Trump said US companies could supply to Huawei (waiting for official guidance at the moment) and second, the US and China agreed to not enact any further tariffs (current proposed Section 301 List 4 duties) in the near future and to start a new round on trade talks.

This may sound like Groundhog Day, and it partially is. Last year at the Argentina G20 summit, Trump and Xi also reached a similar agreement. And the differences that prevented a deal to be reached in Argentina also exist today. Key issues such as intellectual property and China’s 2025 plan are two areas where the two countries still do not reach a consensus.

With an election looming a little over a year away, Trump may be waiting until after next November before moving forward with a final deal – in the meantime, Trump says the US is already benefiting from the tariffs as the US is “taking in a fortune”.

If you have any questions about any of the 232 or 301 duties and how they may impact your business. Contact experienced trade attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at dh@gjatradelaw.com, attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

US China Truce (for now)?

June 29, 2019 By in 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)

At this week’s G20 meeting, President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping agreed to a temporary truce and restart trade talks. This means the current U.S. tariffs will remain in place, but the trade penalties proposed for Section 301, List 4 will be put on hold pending an outcome of what will be the 12th round of trade talks.

List 4 covers approximately $300 billion in goods from China, and if in place, Lists 1-4 effectively cover every import from China.

However, both sides still differ on one item that may prevent a long term solution – trade secrets.

In response, China has also placed tariffs on $110 billion in US goods, mostly focusing on agricultural imports. Some believe the tariffs against farm products (and Trump supporters) are aimed towards pressuring Trump as he heads into the general election next year.

If you have goods under List 3 and want to file an exclusion, contact David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com, dh@gjatradelaw.com.

China introduces new legislation to placate US IP concerns.

March 17, 2019 By in foreign investment, Uncategorized Tags: , , Leave a comment
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According to Bloomberg – China’s legislative body has passed new legislation to replace three main laws that impact non-Chinese companies doing business in China:(1) Law of Joint Ventures with Chinese and Foreign Investment, the (2) Law on Foreign-Capital Enterprises and the (3) Law on Chinese-Foreign Contractual Joint Ventures.

To summarize, the new legislation includes: (1) promise of equal support to foreign and domestic firms, (2) equal treatment for license applications, (3) foreign companies can participate in setting industry standards and in government procurement, (4) right of foreign companies to appeal non-security related decisions and (5) a complaints mechanism for foreign companies.

The law was passed on March 15th and will take effect on January 1, 2020. Whether this will impact the current trade negotiations is still yet to be seen.

Trump hints at delay of additional duties originally set for March 1st.

February 24, 2019 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , Leave a comment
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According to CNBC, President Trump says he will delay additional China tariffs originally scheduled to start on March 1. In a series of posts on Twitter, President Trump indicated a delay for the imposition of “List 3” of duties under Section 301 because of “substantial progress” in trade talks currently underway between the US and China.

While the tweets hint at a delay, there was no hint of a revised deadline to reach an agreement with China. Time will tell whether the US and China can reach an agreement on the key issues of intellectual property protection and forced technology transfer.

In other news, a late March meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will likely occur at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago golf club in Palm Beach, Florida.

More updates will be posted as they became available.

US/China trade talks amid new charges against Huawei.

January 29, 2019 By in Huawei, Uncategorized Tags: , , , Leave a comment
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Earlier this week, Chinese Vice Premier Liu He and his trade team arrived in the US to begin negotiations with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. At about the same time of Vice Premier Liu He’s arrival, the US Department of Justice announced charges against Huawei for violations of US sanctions against Iran and among other things, theft of US intellectual property from T-Mobile.

Negotiations are in progress to reach a deal that could prevent an additional 15% tariff (total 25%) on $200 billion worth of goods from China before the March 1st deadline.

Since the truce, China has increased their purchases of American exports, such as soy beans and have also taken steps to crackdown on intellectual property theft. However, the US government is also requesting China open its market and limit government direction for state-owned enterprises (SOE). A change to Beijing’s economic support of certain industries is likely something that will not change.

Check back for the latest news as it becomes available. If you have any export compliance questions or have concerns about compliance with US sanctions, contact trade attorney, David Hsu at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

US/China Meeting Cancelled?

January 25, 2019 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , Leave a comment
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According to CNBC, officials with the U.S. trade representative’s office were supposed to meet with their Chinese counterparts this week to try and resolve some trade differences before the March 1st deadline – but the meeting was cancelled.

An unnamed source claimed the trade planning meeting was cancelled as both sides continue to disagree over the enforcement of intellectual property rules.

As you are aware, one of the US goals with China is to ensure adequate IP protections for US companies operating in China. More specifically, US companies doing business in China are expected to turn over IP to a China joint venture as a condition to doing business in China. The US claims this has resulted in the involuntary transfer of IP that ultimately hurts the US company.

While an unnamed source said a meeting was cancelled, the White House economic advisor, Larry Kudlow claimed there was cancellation and a meeting set for next week is still on schedule.

 

List 3 Exclusion Process?

January 16, 2019 By in exclusion, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment
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Last October, 10 10 senators sent a letter to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) inquiring why a List 3 exclusion process had not yet been established. As you are aware, an exclusion process allows importers or interested parties of goods subject to the Section 301 duties to petition to have their goods excluded from the tariffs of 10-25%.

Earlier this week, the USTR replied indicating an exclusion process will not start on List 3 unless negotiations fail with China and the tariffs are raised on the $200 billion worth of goods from 10 to 25%. Both China and the US have agreed to a “truce” until March 2, 2019.

Will update as soon as any updates are available. If you have any trade, import, export, trade or compliance attorneys, contact experienced trade attorney David Hsu at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com

Tesla applies for tariff exclusion.

January 12, 2019 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

According to Reuters, Tesla has applied for a tariff exemption for the Chinese made computer brain found in the Model 3.

While not mentioned in the Reuters article, the computer component is currently included under List 2 of the Section 301 duties that came into effect in August of last year.

All goods under List 2 have a duty of 25%.

Tesla’s filing did not specify the Chinese manufacturer and included language mentioning China as the only source of this product that could meet the required specifications and volume.

It will be interesting to see whether this exclusion request is approved as very few of the tens of thousands have been approved. I’ll definitely updated this if and when it is approved.

The time to apply for a tariff exclusion under List 2 has passed and there are currently no instructions for a tariff exclusion request for goods covered under List 3.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions how these 301 tariffs will impact you and your interests. My cell is 832.896.6288 or email me at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.

Midlevel US-China trade talks end – higher-level talks next?

January 10, 2019 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , Leave a comment
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According to the New York Times, the midlevel US trade negotiators and their Chinese counterparts concluded trade talks today (Wednesday, January 10th).

No new concerns were mentioned in the NYT article. The US is still concerned about China’s purchase of US agricultural, energy and manufacturing products; forced technology transfer; intellectual property protection and concerns regarding China’s 2025 initiative.

The next step is to report the results of their talks to President Trump. As you are aware, the imposition of List 3 tariff increases to 25% (from the current 10%) occurs on March 1st (a 90-day extension announced during the “truce” at the G-20 summit in December 2018).

If you have any questions on how the Section 232 or Section 301 duties on Chinese imports impact your business, contact experienced trade and customs attorney David Hsu at attorney.dave@yahoo.com or by phone/cell/text: 832-896-6288.