Category: imports

USTR Seeks Public Comment on Tariff Exclusions for 549 Chinese Import Categories

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Trade Representative’s office said on Tuesday it is seeking public comments on plans to revive a targeted tariff exclusion process for imports from China, specifically whether to reinstate previously extended exclusions on 549 import product categories. USTR said it would accept public comments from Oct. 12 through Dec. 1 on possible exclusions for…


Tariffs, Seizures Expose US Solar Industry’s Vulnerability to Imports

Cheap imports have fueled the U.S. solar industry’s dramatic growth for years. Now, mounting trade and transport issues are exposing that dependence to slowing shipments and putting big projects at risk, according to industry representatives. Tighter availability of foreign panels could hurt the booming industry and set back President Joe Biden’s effort to decarbonize the…


Britain No Longer in Top 10 for Trade With Germany as Brexit Bites

BERLIN—Britain is on course to lose its status as one of Germany’s top 10 trading partners this year for the first time since 1950, as Brexit-related trade barriers drive firms in Europe’s largest economy to look for business elsewhere. Britain left the European Union’s single market at the end of 2020, following more than four…


Ban on Goods Made With Forced Labor Slows Clothing Imports

Increased enforcement of a ban on imported products made with forced labor has led to cargo stoppages and complaints from importers, The Wall Street Journal reported. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are charged with enforcing the ban on goods, such cotton and tomato products from the Xinjiang region of China, where Uyghurs are detained…


Ford Says It Could Face $1.3 Billion in New Penalties in Transit Imports

WASHINGTON—Ford Motor Co said Thursday it could face up to $1.3 billion in penalties in a long-running dispute over import duties paid on Ford Transit Connect vehicles. The No. 2 U.S. automaker said after the Supreme Court declined to hear its appeal in 2020 that it paid increased duties for some prior imports, plus interest….


Crews Make Progress on Months-Long Cargo Ship Backlog at LA Ports

The twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are seeing progress in reducing one of the worst backlogs of container ships in history waiting in the San Pedro Bay. As of June 1, there were 11 container ships at anchor in the bay waiting to reach port terminals, which is 10 ships less from the last report May 28. It signals a major decrease and the lowest amount of…


Port of Los Angeles Activity Reaches ‘Dizzying Pace’

Commentary The U.S. trade deficit hit an all-time high in March, reaching $74.4 billion, as Americans spent their stimulus checks on foreign-made goods but were limited in their ability to spend their money on nearby entertainment options such as restaurants, bars, amusement parks and sporting venues, many of which were still closed in March. The…


UK-EU Trade Slumps in First Month of New Brexit Rules

LONDON—Trade between the United Kingdom and the European Union was hammered in the first month of their new post-Brexit relationship, with record falls in British exports and imports of goods as COVID-19 restrictions continued on both sides. British goods exports to the EU, excluding non-monetary gold and other precious metals, slumped by 40.7 percent in…


UK Delays Post-Brexit Import Checks to Give More Time to Prepare

LONDON—Britain on Thursday delayed the introduction of a range of post-Brexit import checks on goods from the European Union by around six months, saying businesses needed more time to prepare because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The British Retail Consortium welcomed the move, but said it was needed because the government was not…


US Trade Deficit up 1.9 Percent in January on Record Goods Imports

SILVER SPRING, Md.—The level of imported goods to the U.S. in January reached unprecedented levels and pushed the trade deficit 1.9 percent higher as the coronavirus pandemic continues to distort global commerce. The gap between the goods and services the United States sold and what it bought abroad rose to $68.2 billion from $67 billion…