USTR Section 301 Action on Nicaragua’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Relating to Labor Rights, Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and the Rule of Law - U.S. International Trade Representative
WASHINGTON – Today, the United States Trade Representative took targeted action under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to address Nicaragua’s acts, policies, and practices related to abuses of labor rights, abuses of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and dismantling of the rule of law.
Today’s responsive action follows the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR’s) determination that Nicaragua’s acts, policies, and practices are unreasonable and burden or restrict U.S. commerce, taking into account over 2,000 public comments and consulting with government agency experts and USTR cleared advisors.
Effective January 1, 2026, the United States will impose a tariff that is phased-in over two years on all imported Nicaraguan goods that are not originating under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). The tariff will be set at zero percent on January 1, 2026 and will increase to 10 percent on January 1, 2027, and to 15 percent on January 1, 2028. Any tariff would stack with others such as the existing 18 percent Reciprocal Tariff. Further, should Nicaragua show a lack of progress in addressing these issues, this timeline and these rates may be modified.
This action balances the need for action and the importance of limiting disruption for U.S. businesses. Pursuant to Section 305(a) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2415(a)(1)), USTR will issue a subsequent notice to implement this action.
To view the Federal Register Notice, click here.
Background
Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (Trade Act), is designed to address unfair foreign practices affecting U.S. commerce. Section 301 may be used to respond to unjustifiable, unreasonable, or discriminatory foreign government practices that burden or restrict U.S. commerce. A Section 301(b) investigation examines whether the acts, policies, or practices are unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce.
On December 10, 2024, pursuant to Section 302(b)(1) of the Trade Act, after receiving the advice of the Section 301 Committee and advisory committees, the United States Trade Representative determined to initiate an investigation regarding Nicaragua’s acts, policies, and practices related to labor rights, human rights, and the rule of law.
Pursuant to Section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Trade Act, USTR provided the public and interested persons with opportunities to present their views through a public comment process and through a public hearing. USTR received witness testimony and more than 160 comments and rebuttal comments. The investigation also elicited testimony evidencing certain gross violations of human rights which USTR is referring to the U.S. Department of State for further investigation, action, and advocacy on those issues.
On October 20, 2025, the United States Trade Representative determined that Nicaragua’s acts, policies, and practices related to labor rights, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law are unreasonable and burden or restrict U.S. commerce, and thus are actionable under Section 301(b)(1) of the Trade Act. The United States Trade Representative proposed a range of responsive actions and invited the public to provide written comments by November 19, 2025, on the proposed action. USTR received over 2,000 written comments.
A copy of the Federal Register Notice setting out the U.S. Trade Representative’s determination and action is available here.
A copy of the USTR Report is available here.
________________________________________________________________________________
Federal Register Notices:
• Rescission of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews
• Initiation of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation; Opportunity To Request Administrative Review and Join Annual Inquiry Service List
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Certain Semiconductor Devices and Products Containing the Same; Notice of Request for Submissions on the Public Interest
• Certain Urine Splash Guards and Components Thereof; Notice of a Commission Decision To Review in Part an Initial Determination Granting in Part Complainant's Motion for Summary Determination of a Violation of Section 337; Request for Written Submissions on Remedy, the Public Interest, and Bonding
• Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar From Mexico and Turkey; Revised Schedule for the Subject Proceeding
• Light-Walled Rectangular Pipe and Tube From China, Mexico, South Korea, and Turkey; Notice of Commission Determination To Conduct Full Five-Year Reviews
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Certain Polycrystalline Diamond Compacts and Articles Containing Same; Notice of a Final Determination Finding a Violation of Section 337 and Issuing a Limited Exclusion Order and a Cease and Desist Order; Termination of Investigation
• Calcium Hypochlorite From China; Scheduling of Expedited Five-Year Reviews
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Certain Freight Rail Couplers and Parts Thereof From China; Notice of Remand Proceedings
• Certain Video Game Consoles, Routers and Gateways, and Components Thereof; Notice of a Commission Determination Not To Review an Initial Determination Terminating the Investigation Based on Settlement; Termination of Investigation
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation; Advance Notification of Sunset Review
• Certain Chassis and Subassemblies Thereof From The People's Republic of China: Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Float Glass Products From China and Malaysia; Revised Schedule for the Subject Proceeding
• Active Anode Material From China; Revised Schedule for the Subject Proceeding
• Nonfat Milk Solids: Competitive Conditions for the United States and Major Foreign Suppliers
• Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide From China; Revised Schedule for the Subject Proceeding
• Certain Polyvinylidene Fluoride Resins; Notice of Commission Determination Not To Review an Initial Determination Granting a Motion To Amend the Complaint and Notice of Investigation
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Quartz Surface Products From the People's Republic of China: Rescission of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2024
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Certain Smart Wearable Devices, Systems, and Components Thereof; Notice of Commission Determination To Institute Modification and Rescission Proceedings and To Grant a Joint Petition for Limited Service of Confidential Exhibit; Modification of Limited Exclusion Order and Rescission of Cease and Desist Orders; Termination of Modification and Rescission Proceedings
• Temporary Steel Fencing From China; Revised Schedule for the Subject Proceeding
________________________________________________________________________________
USITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from China - U.S. International Trade Commission
The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission or USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on carbon and certain alloy steel wire rod from China would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the existing orders on imports of these products from China will remain in place.
Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson and Jason E. Kearns voted in the affirmative.
Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on these five-year (sunset) reviews.
The Commission’s public report, Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from China (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-512-and 731-TA-1248 (Second Review), USITC Publication 5692, December 2025), will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the reviews.
The report will be available by January 19,2026; when available, it may be accessed on the USITC website.
BACKGROUND
The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time.
The Commission’s institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order under review as well as other information. Generally, within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review. If responses to the USITC’s notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.
The Commission generally does not hold a hearing or conduct further investigative activities in expedited reviews. Commissioners base their injury determination in expedited reviews on the facts available, including the Commission’s prior injury and review determinations, responses received to its notice of institution, data collected by staff in connection with the reviews, and information provided by the Department of Commerce.
The five-year (sunset) reviews concerning Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from China were instituted on May 1, 2025.
On August 4, 2025, the Commission determined to conduct expedited five-year reviews. Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners David S. Johanson and Jason E. Kearns concluded that the domestic interested party group responses were adequate, and the respondent interested party group responses were inadequate, and voted for expedited reviews.
A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct expedited reviews is available on the investigations page for Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from China; Inv. No. 701-TA-512 and 731-TA-1248 (Review 2).
________________________________________________________________________________
CBP Seized More than $425,000 in Counterfeit Products - U.S. Customs & Border Protection
Counterfeit imports on the rise during Holiday Season
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Rochester port of entry seized designer items for bearing counterfeit trademarks.
CBP officers inspected several shipments that contained multiple “designer” watches, shoes, handbags and jewelry. After a thorough examination of the merchandise, all the items were determined to be inauthentic and were seized for bearing counterfeit trademarks. Had these items been genuine, the total Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) value would be approximately $425,125 dollars.
“During the holiday season, we often see an increase in counterfeit goods entering the country, as criminals attempt to exploit the high demand for popular brands,” said Rochester Acting Port Director Philip Young. “Our officers identify and intercept these items to protect American consumers and businesses. This seizure demonstrates the critical role CBP plays in safeguarding the economy and ensuring shoppers receive authentic, high-quality products.
CBP has the authority to detain, seize, forfeit, and ultimately destroy imported merchandise if it bears an infringing trademark or copyright that has been registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office and has subsequently been recorded with CBP through the e-Recordation program, please vist: https://iprr.cbp.gov/s/.Other violations can include misclassification of merchandise, false country-of-origin markings, health and safety issues, and valuation issues.
As the holiday shopping season continues, CBP reminds consumers to purchase items from reputable retailers and be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true. Counterfeit goods not only harm the economy but can also compromise consumer safety.
To learn more about what CBP is doing every day to protect Americans from counterfeit goods, and more about the Truth Behind Counterfeits public awareness campaign, please visit: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/fakegoodsrealdangers.
CBP protects the intellectual property rights of American businesses through an aggressive Intellectual Property Rights enforcement program, safeguarding them from unfair competition and use for malicious intent while upholding American innovation and ingenuity. Suspected violations can be reported to CBP as an E-Allegation. This reporting tool allows the public to anonymously report to CBP any suspected violations of trade laws or regulations related to the importation of goods into the U.S.
If you have any information regarding suspected fraud or illegal trade activity, please contact CBP through via the E-Allegations site or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT. IPR violations can also be reported to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center at https://www.iprcenter.gov/referral/ or by telephone at 1-866-IPR-2060.
________________________________________________________________________________
7-Eleven to Pay Record $4.5 Million Penalty to Settle FTC Antitrust Order Violation Case - Federal Trade Commission
7-Eleven, Inc. and its parent company, Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd., (collectively 7-Eleven) will pay $4.5 million to settle a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit alleging that the convenience store chain violated a 2018 FTC consent order by acquiring a fuel outlet in St. Petersburg, Fla. without providing the Commission prior notice.
The $4.5 million penalty marks the largest civil penalty ever collected in an FTC case involving a prior-notice violation. It is also the largest negotiated settlement of any order violation in the FTC Bureau of Competition’s history.
“Under the Trump-Vance FTC, merger remedies that protect competition are once again on the table. But for merger remedies to work, firms must abide by the terms of their consent orders, and we will hold parties accountable when they don’t live up to their commitments,” said Daniel Guarnera, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition. “7-Eleven failed to fulfill the terms of the FTC’s consent order and is now paying a record price. The FTC will not hesitate to protect the public by actively enforcing order violations and seeking penalties against future violators.”
The settlement resolves an FTC lawsuit filed in 2023. That suit arose from a 2018 consent order to resolve the FTC’s antitrust claims that 7-Eleven’s $3.3 billion acquisition of 1,100 retail fuel outlets from Sunoco would harm competition and raise fuel prices for consumers in 76 local markets. In the consent order, 7-Eleven agreed to divest certain fuel outlets and to provide prior notice to the FTC before making future acquisitions of competing fuel outlets in the local markets. This prior notice allowed the FTC to investigate—and, if needed, file an enforcement action—if additional acquisitions by 7-Eleven harmed consumers in these local markets.
The consent order specifically listed the St. Petersburg outlet as one that 7-Eleven could not acquire without providing the FTC with prior notice. According to the FTC’s complaint, 7-Eleven acquired the St. Petersburg fuel outlet in December 2018, in violation of the consent order. On March 25, 2022—over three years after 7-Eleven acquired the St. Petersburg outlet—7-Eleven first informed the Commission it had acquired the St. Petersburg outlet. The FTC found that 7-Eleven’s internal controls for ensuring compliance with the consent order were wholly inadequate and that the company failed to implement any meaningful systems to ensure compliance with the Commission order.
In addition to the $4.5 million in civil penalties, 7-Eleven was required to divest the St. Petersburg outlet to a strong buyer. 7-Eleven also agreed to commit to additional prior approval and prior notice requirements, which will help ensure that the Commission is made aware of any attempts by 7-Eleven to further consolidate in the local fuel markets addressed in the FTC’s order.
The Commission vote authorizing staff to file the stipulated final judgment and order for permanent injunction and civil penalty was 2-0.