Commerce Department releases findings on steel and aluminum investigations
On a call with media today, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross discussed the findings and suggested remedies from the Administration’s investigations into steel and aluminum imports. In his remarks, Ross said, “each of these reports comes to the conclusion that… imports threaten to impair our national security.” Ross indicated that the goal of the actions in both products was to raise US production to 80 percent...
Chinese and US officials meet amid trade tensions
Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi traveled to Washington this week to meet with US officials and discuss the two nations’ strained trade relationships and tension over North Korea. On Thursday, Yang met with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson; little information was released about the meeting, but a State Department readout said the two looked forward to speaking again in the second quarter of this year at the Diplomatic &...
Trade not a major component of State of the Union
Despite anticipation of a major trade announcement, Tuesday night’s State of the Union address, the first by President Donald Trump, had very little mention of trade. The President cited the need for “fair” and “reciprocal” trade -- points made regularly by the administration in the past year -- but made no specific proposals on what would be done to achieve those goals. Trump simply said, "We will work to fix bad trade deals and...
President Trump spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland Friday morning, highlighting his view that trade must be fair, but also inviting foreign investment in the United States. “I’m inviting you to be part of the future we are building together,” Trump said. Regarding trade, Trump said, “We can’t have free and open trade if some countries exploit the system at the expense of others.” He...
Strongly-worded USTR China WTO compliance released
The Office of the US Trade Representative’s annual report on China’s compliance with its World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations was released Friday, with notably harsher language about China’s economic behavior than in past administrations. The report states that the US was mistaken in supporting China’s accession to the WTO in 2001, because entry into the global trade organization has “proven to be ineffective in securing China’...
For analysis of potential trade actions in 2018, see Monday’s New Year edition of the Washington Update.
Steel report sent to White House, recommendations not yet public
The Commerce Department’s Section 232 investigation into steel imports is complete and has been sent to the White House, just ahead of its January 15 deadline. The report will not be made public until the President decides whether to take action, which he has ninety days to do. The decision to keep the...
Washington returns today for its first full work week of the new year, with many pending actions that could impact US-China trade relations. Some key dates to keep in mind for the coming weeks:
Recommendations by the Commerce department on steel and aluminum imports, related to national security concerns (known as Section 232 investigations, referring to a section under US trade law), are due on January 15 and 22 respectively, starting the clock for the president to make a decision on...McMaster: National security policy to be released Monday
National Security Advisor HR McMaster said Tuesday that President Trump will unveil his national security plan next week, which will prioritize four “vital national interests:” protecting the homeland and American people; advancing American prosperity; preserving peace through strength; and advancing American influence. In his speech at a British think tank, McMaster said the policy is intended to counter threats from “...
Hearing scheduled on CFIUS reform
The House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing next week to discuss the Committee on Foreign Relations in the US (CFIUS), which reviews foreign direct investment into the United States for national security purposes. While not specifically on one of the reform bills that are pending in Congress, the hearing is widely expected to focus on options included in a measure led by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX). Witnesses are expected to include former...
United States files WTO brief on China’s nonmarket economy status
The US filed a brief with the WTO Thursday, expanding its legal argument that China should not be treated as a market economy in antidumping cases, an issue that carries implications for the overall US-China trade relationship. Citing sections of Article VI of the GATT 1994, as well as past interpretations and other sections of WTO law, the US said that the WTO had the authority to maintain China’s non-market economy...
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