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Trade Restrictions Among G20 Economics Remain at Historic High - World Trade Organization

The WTO’s new Trade Monitoring Report issued on 21 November shows that G20 economies from mid-May to mid-October 2019 introduced import-restrictive measures covering an estimated USD 460.4 billion worth of traded merchandise. This represents a 37% increase over the previous period going back to mid-October 2018, and is second only to the USD 480.9 billion coverage of import-restricting measures reported between mid-May and mid-October 2018. The report notes that with restrictions accumulating over time, the share of global trade covered by such measures has soared. WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo called on G20 economies to de-escalate trade tensions to spur investment, growth and job creation.

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Mattresses from China Injure U.S. Industry, Says USITC - U.S. International Trade Commission

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of mattresses from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Randolph J. Stayin, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.  Commissioner Jason E. Kearns did not participate in this vote.

As a result of the USITC’s affirmative determination, Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order on imports of this product from China. 

The Commission also made a negative finding concerning critical circumstances with regard to imports of this product from China.  As a result, imports of mattresses from China will not be subject to retroactive antidumping duties.

The Commission’s public report Mattresses from China (Inv. No. 731-TA-1424 (Final), USITC Publication 5000, December 2019) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigation.

The report will be available by December 30, 2019; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.

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UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Mattresses from China
Investigation No. 731-TA-1424 (Final)

Product Description:  "Mattress" generally means a resilient material or combination of materials generally enclosed by ticking that is intended or promoted for sleeping upon by people. Mattresses generally consist of (1) a core, (2) upholstery material, and (3) ticking. The core provides the main support system of the mattress. The core may consist of innersprings, non-innersprings (e.g., foam), other resilient filling, or a combination of these materials. "Upholstery" refers to the material between the core and the ticking. "Ticking" refers to the cover or the outermost layer of fabric or other material that encloses the core and any upholstery material.

Status of Proceedings:

  1. Type of investigation:  Final phase antidumping duty investigation.
  2. Petitioners:  Corsicana Mattress Company, Dallas, TX; Elite Comfort Solutions, Newnan, GA; Future Foam Inc., Council Bluffs, IA; FXI, Inc., Media, PA; Innocor, Inc., Red Bank, NJ; Kolcraft Enterprises Inc., Chicago, IL; Leggett & Platt, Incorporated, Carthage, MO; Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC, Atlanta, GA; and Tempur Sealy International, Inc., Lexington, KY.
  3. USITC Institution Date:  Tuesday, September 18, 2018.
  4. USITC Hearing Date:  Friday, October 11, 2019.
  5. USITC Vote Date:  Tuesday, November 19, 2019.
  6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Monday, December 9, 2019.

U.S. Industry in 2018:

  1. Number of U.S. producers:  56
  2. Location of producers’ plants:  Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
  3. Production and related workers:  10,432.
  4. U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments:  $4.4 billion.
  5. Apparent U.S. consumption:  1
  6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  1

U.S. Imports in 2018:

  1. Subject imports:  $918 million.
  2. Nonsubject imports:  [1]
  3. Leading import sources:  China (by quantity and value).  

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[1] Withheld to avoid disclosure of business proprietary information.

 



 

Aluminum Wire and Cable from China Injure U.S. Industry, Says USITC -  U.S. International Trade Commission

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of aluminum wire and cable from China that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, Randolph J. Stayin, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the USITC’s affirmative determinations, Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of this product from China. 

The Commission’s public report Aluminum Wire and Cable from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-611 and 731-TA-1428 (Final), USITC Publication 5001, December 2019) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

The report will be available by January 6, 2020; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp

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UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Aluminum Wire and Cable from China
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-611 and 731-TA-1428 (Final)

Product Description:  AWC products are insulated electrical conductors used in the transmission and distribution of electricity, relying on aluminum's relatively high thermal and electrical conductivities to transmit electrical power in industrial and commercial applications as well as some residential applications. The subject product can consist of one or more electrical conductors made from a single or multiple aluminum alloys. These alloys provide different combinations of electrical conductivity and tensile strength. AWC is manufactured to meet various industry standards and electric codes, including UL (safety standards) and/or National Electrical Code specifications, which denote temperature ratings, voltage, wet or dry conditions ratings, or other product attributes.

Status of Proceedings:
1.   Type of investigation:  Final phase antidumping duty and countervailing duty investigations.
2.   Petitioners:  Encore Wire Corporation, McKinney, TX; Southwire Company LLC, Carrollton, GA.
3.   USITC Institution Date:  Friday, September 21, 2018.
4.   USITC Hearing Date:  Thursday, October 17, 2019.
5.   USITC Vote Date:  Wednesday, November 20, 2019.
6.   USITC Notification to Commerce Date:  Monday, December 16, 2019.

U.S. Industry in 2018:
1.   Number of U.S. producers:  5.
2.   Location of producers’ plants:  Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah.
3.   Production and related workers:  1,720.
4.   U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments:  $654.2 million.
5.   Apparent U.S. consumption:  $937.4 million.
6.   Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption:  17.8 percent.

U.S. Imports in 2018:
1.   Subject imports:  $126.9 million.
2.   Non-subject imports:  $101.8 million.
3.   Leading import sources:  China, Turkey, Mexico

 





CBP Cincinnati Seizes Counterfeit Botox Shipments - U.S. Customs & Border Protection

CINCINNATI — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers at a Cincinnati express consignment facility recently seized multiple shipments of counterfeit Botox injections. The shipments, manifested as “leggings” and “facial gift,” were coming from Shenzhen, China, and were destined to private residences in Alabama, Texas, and Utah.

Botox, or botulinum toxin, is restricted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and cannot be imported into the U.S. without proper documentation. The FDA has issued an import alert detailing which pharmaceutical companies produce legitimate botulinum toxin products and how these products can legally be imported into the U.S. 

“Illegal supply chains try to exploit online retail portals and the international mail and express consignment environments by shipping to individual consumers who may be unaware of proper import requirements,” said Assistant Area Port Director Eugene Matho. “However, CBP will take all appropriate actions necessary to protect the health and safety of American consumers.”

CBP provides basic import inforamtion about admissibility requirements and the clearance process for e-commerce goods and encourages buyers to confirm that their purchases and the importation of those purchases comply with any state and federal import regulations.

CBP conducts operations at ports of entry throughout the United States, and regularly screens arriving international passengers and cargo for narcotics, weapons, and other restricted or prohibited products. CBP strives to serve as the premier law enforcement agency enhancing the Nation’s safety, security, and prosperity through collaboration, innovation, and integration.

 



 

CBP Collects $3,320,425 for Customs Violations from Importer - U.S. Customs & Border Protection

WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection has collected $3,320,425 from Satisloh, an importer of machinery used in the production of optical lenses after CBP pursued action pursuant to §19 U.S.C. 1592 for customs violations.  The company provided false descriptions, tariff classification numbers, and/or duty rates to CBP for the entries of certain machinery and repair parts.  The matter was resolved when CBP accepted an offer in compromise submitted by the importer.  An offer in compromise is a written offer and deposit of funds to settle civil liability relating to a Government claim arising under customs laws.

“CBP is firmly committed to protecting national economic security by enforcing U.S. trade laws,” said Brenda Smith, Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Trade. “CBP will continue to employ a range of enforcement actions to ensure a fair, safe, and compliant trade system. Civil penalties like this one are a critical tool in our toolbox, and I commend CBP for seeing this penalty through to a collection.”  

Under 19 U.S.C. § 1592, CBP has the authority to issue penalty claims against violators for entering, introducing, or attempting to enter or introduce any merchandise into the commerce of the United States by means of false statements or omissions.

 





Home Safe Home for the Holidays: CPSC and Interior Designer Sabrina Soto Share Holiday Safety Tips this Season - Consuer Products Safety Commission

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As families prepare for the holidays, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and interior designer Sabrina Soto join together to share the latest data and safety tips for holiday decorating, cooking and toys. 

“The holiday season is a festive time with family and friends and we, at CPSC, want that time to be hazard free,” said CPSC Commissioner Dana Baiocco. 

The holidays are a time for celebrating with family, friends and loved ones, but consumers need to be aware of possible dangers, from Christmas trees, candles or cooking fires to unsafe toys.

“As a mom and interior designer, I am delighted to join CPSC this holiday season to provide essential safety tips for consumers to follow while decorating, cooking and shopping for toys as gifts,” said Soto. “It is critical people keep these safety steps in mind to prevent incidents and allow everyone to experience the joys of the holidays together

TOYS

Data:

  • CPSC reports that in 2018 there were 166,200 toy-related, emergency department-treated injuries and 17 deaths to children younger than 15, with most of the deaths associated with riding toys and incidents of choking on small parts, like small balls and balloons.  
  • Toy recalls continue to decline, with 12 toy recalls in fiscal year 2019, one involving a lead violation, compared to 172 recalls in 2008, 19 involving lead violations. Recalled toys presented choking, fire, burn and laceration hazards, among other hazards that posed a threat of death or injury to a child.
  • The number of injuries associated with non-motorized scooters significantly decreased from 2014 to 2018 for children younger than 15. 

Tips:

  • Follow age guidance and other safety information on the toy packaging, and choose toys that match your child's interests and abilities.
  • Get safety gear, including helmets for scooters and other riding toys –helmets should be worn properly at all times and be sized to fit.
  • Keep small balls and toys with small parts away from children younger than age 3, and keep deflated balloons away from children younger than 8 years old (discard broken balloons at once). 

COOKING
 
Data:

  • Cooking fires are the # 1 cause of residential fires.
  • An average of 1,800 cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving Day each year, four times the average number on any other day of the year.
  • In the last two decades, there were 218 fire or scald/burn incidents involving turkey fryers, resulting in 81 injuries and $9.7 million in property loss.  

Tips:

  • Never leave food unattended on the stove or in the oven.
  • Keep children away from the cooking area, and keep flammable items like potholders and paper or plastic bags away from the stove and oven.
  • Only fry a turkey outside and away from your home –not inside your garage or on your porch. Do not overfill the oil in the turkey fryer.

DECORATING

Data:

  • On average, there are about 200 decorating-related injuries each day during the holiday season, with the majority of the incidents involving falls. And in the 2017 holiday season, about 18,100 people were treated in emergency rooms due to holiday decorating-related injuries. 
  • In the 2018 holiday season, there were five deaths associated with holiday decorating. 
  • From 2014 to 2016, there were about 100 Christmas tree fires and about 1,100 candle fires, resulting in 10 deaths, 150 injuries and nearly $50 million in property damage each of those years.

Tips:

  • Make sure your live Christmas tree has plenty of water, and look for the "Fire Resistant” label when buying an artificial tree. 
  • Place burning candles in sight, away from flammable items, and blow them out before leaving the room.
  • Only use lights tested for safety by a national recognized testing laboratory. Throw out sets with broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. 
To view and share a Holiday Safety video and a poster, and for more information on how to have a Home Safe Home during the holidays, please visit CPSC’s Holiday Safety Information Center.

 
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