Notice of Conforming Amendment to Product Exclusion: China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation - Federal Register
A Notice by the Trade Representative, Office of United States on 10/07/2026
AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: Effective July 1, 2026, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) implemented certain changes to statistical reporting categories in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). As a result of these changes, USTR is making a conforming amendment to an additional product exclusion associated with the Section 301 investigation of China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation.
DATES: The conforming amendment announced in the Annex to this notice is effective as of July 1, 2026. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will issue instructions on entry guidance and implementation.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general questions about this notice, contact Philip Butler, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Monitoring & Enforcement, or Rachel Hasandras, Assistant General Counsel, at (202) 395-5725. For specific questions on customs classification or implementation of the product exclusion identified in the Annex to this notice, contact traderemedy@cbp.dhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
Effective July 1, 2026, the USITC implemented certain changes to ten-digit statistical reporting categories of the HTSUS in accordance with its responsibility under section 484(f) of the Tariff Act of 1930, 19 U.S.C. 1484(f). Five of the product exclusions associated with the Section 301 investigation of China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation, as set out in the Annexes at 89 FR 46948 (May 30, 2024), 90 FR 23987 (June 5, 2025), 90 FR 42500 (September 2, 2025), and 90 FR 55232 (December 1, 2025), were affected by the amended statistical reporting categories. On September 2, 2026, USTR issued a Federal Register notice with conforming amendments to four of the affected product exclusions. 91 FR 56538 (September 2, 2026).
B. Conforming Amendment to Additional Product Exclusion
To maintain the pre-existing product coverage of the China 301 actions, a conforming amendment is required. The Annex to this notice makes a conforming amendment to U.S. note 20(vvv)(i)(20) to subchapter III of chapter 99 of the HTSUS, as set out in the Annexes at 89 FR 46948, 90 FR 23987, 90 FR 42500, and 90 FR 55232.
Annex
Effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from the warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on July 1, 2026, note 20(vvv)(i)(20) to subchapter III of chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is modified by inserting “through June 30, 2026; described in statistical reporting number 8479.90.9591 effective July 1, 2026” after “January 27, 2022.”
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Treasury Announces Third Round of Sanctions Removals, Updates in Modernization Initiative - US Department of Treasury
Ongoing Review Ensures Sanctions Remain Targeted, Effective, and Current
WASHINGTON—Today (10/05/26) the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took another major action in its sanctions modernization effort, announced by Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent in May. Today’s action removed from OFAC’s sanctions lists 125 individuals and entities, consistent with current economic, national security, and foreign policy priorities. OFAC also updated 22 list entries to facilitate and enhance compliance screening.
Those removed include deceased individuals, defunct companies, and list entries lacking sufficient information for robust compliance screening. As with any removal from its sanctions lists, and consistent with prior sanctions modernization actions, OFAC conducted interagency review to ensure that today’s removals would not harm U.S. foreign policy or national security interests.
PRIORITIZING SANCTIONS IMPACT AND SUCCESS
As Secretary Bessent has outlined, the goal of Treasury’s sanctions modernization effort is to ensure U.S. sanctions remain targeted, effective, and aligned with U.S. economic, foreign policy, and national security priorities. The Trump Administration is measuring the success of its sanctions in terms of effect, impact, and benefit—not just based on the number of names Treasury places on a list.
Today’s action is part of this broader effort to streamline sanctions for greater efficiency and effectiveness, including through the review of sanctions programs that no longer support U.S. national security priorities. For example, on September 18, OFAC removed sanctions on six individuals and entities designated pursuant to a 2021 Ethiopia-related national emergency and sanctions program, which was not renewed because the circumstances that led to the underlying national emergency have changed such that the United States no longer requires the Ethiopia sanctions program to advance U.S. interests.
Sanctions list entries without appropriate identifying information can hamper private sector screening efforts by producing false positive matches. These may require financial institutions and businesses to spend considerable time on manual review and detract from compliance investigations that are consistent with current national security priorities. Accordingly, alongside today’s delistings, OFAC’s list updates have added new identifiers and removed outdated ones; this will further reduce compliance screening burden.
MODERNIZING SANCTIONS FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT
As Secretary Bessent outlined, the goal of Treasury’s sanctions modernization efforts is to ensure that U.S. sanctions remain targeted, effective, and aligned with U.S. economic, foreign policy, and national security priorities. This will ensure the focus is on the most high-risk and complex threats. The success of our sanctions should be measured in terms of effect, impact, and national security benefit—not just based on the number of names Treasury places on a list. Sanctions are not intended to be a forever tool, and many removals may indicate a successful change in behavior or circumstances.
CONTINUING TO STRENGTHEN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SANCTIONS
Economic security is national security. Treasury is committed to safeguarding the global financial system and takes its responsibility to maintain our nation’s economic sanctions programs seriously.
A significant part of Treasury’s role is ensuring sanctions lists are practicable for the private sector, achieving the intended impact, and in line with foreign policy. The use of sanctions has grown substantially in recent years, with the number of annual new listings increasing from 880 in 2017 to over 3,000 in 2024. Treasury has heard from businesses often forced to expend significant resources to screen for low-risk matches and review potential false positives, at the expense of focusing on high-risk, sophisticated sanctions evasion schemes. Treasury is exploring ways to relieve that burden while helping to prioritize more impactful activities to implement sanctions, including scrutinizing for sanctions evasion.
Additionally, Treasury is reviewing sanctions programs that have not delivered measurable outcomes or no longer support U.S. national security priorities, while prioritizing sanctions that have a clear economic and national security impact.
The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC’s ability to designate persons and add them to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List when appropriate and consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not punishment, but to bring about a positive change in behavior.
For information on the process for seeking removal from an OFAC sanctions list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC’s Frequently Asked Question 897 here. To submit a request for removal, click here.
For a complete list of the persons and property removed from the SDN List in today’s action click here.
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ITA/OTEXA: Announcements - International Trade Administration
• [10/02/2026] – Determination to Approve CAFTA-DR Commercial Availability Request for Certain Faux Leather Fabric Bonded to a Pile Fabric. File Number: CA2026008.
• [09/25/2026] – Determination to Approve CAFTA-DR Commercial Availability Request for Certain Polyester/Cuprammonium Dyed Twill Lining Fabric. File Number: CA2026004.
• [09/25/2026] – Determination to Approve CAFTA-DR Commercial Availability Request for Certain Polyester/Cuprammonium Yarn-dyed Twill Lining Fabric. File Number: CA2026005.
• [09/25/2026] – Determination to Approve CAFTA-DR Commercial Availability Request for Certain Viscose Printed Twill Lining Fabric. File Number: CA2026006.
• [09/25/2026] – Determination to Approve CAFTA-DR Commercial Availability Request for Certain Polyester/Viscose Dyed Twill Lining Fabric. File Number: CA2026007
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Federal Register Notices:
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Corrosion Inhibitors From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2024
• Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires From the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Final Results of the Expedited First Sunset Review of the Countervailing Duty Order
• Oil Country Tubular Goods From Ukraine: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
• Certain Potassium Phosphate Salts From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of the Expedited Third Sunset Review of the Countervailing Duty Order
• Certain Cut-to-Length Carbon Steel Plate From the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation: Final Results of the Expedited Fifth Sunset Reviews of the Antidumping Duty Orders
• Mattresses From Poland: Preliminary Intent To Rescind Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
• Large Diameter Welded Pipe From the Republic of Türkiye: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025; Correction
• Potassium Phosphate Salts From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of the Expedited Third Sunset Review of the Antidumping Duty Order
• Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar From the Republic of Türkiye: Preliminary Results and Rescission, in Part, of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
• Melamine From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of the Expedited Second Sunset Review of the Antidumping Duty Order
• Methionine From France, Japan, and Spain: Final Results of the Expedited First Sunset Reviews of the Antidumping Duty Orders
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Uncoated Paper From Portugal: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025.
• Drawn Stainless Steel Sinks From the People's Republic of China: Final Results of the Expedited First and Second Sunset Reviews of the Countervailing Duty Order; Correction
• Large Diameter Welded Pipe From the Republic of Türkiye: Final Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2024
• Circular Welded Carbon-Quality Steel Pipe From the United Arab Emirates: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023-2024
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Paper Shopping Bags From Colombia: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
• Certain Paper Shopping Bags From Malaysia: Preliminary Results, Preliminary Determination of No Shipments and Rescission, in Part, of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
• Certain Paper Shopping Bags From India: Preliminary Results and Rescission, in Part of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Steel Nails From the Republic of Korea: Preliminary Results and Rescission, in Part of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
• Notice of Scope Ruling Applications Filed in Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Proceedings
• N-Cyclohexylbenzothiazole-2-Sulfenamide From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination, Preliminary Affirmative Critical Circumstances Determination, and Alignment of Final Determination With Final Antidumping Duty Determination
• Certain Paper Shopping Bags From Taiwan: Preliminary Results and Rescission, in Part, of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
• Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products From the Republic of Korea: Preliminary Results and Rescission, in Part, of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
• Oleoresin Paprika From India: Antidumping Duty Order and Countervailing Duty Order
• Forged Steel Fluid End Blocks From Germany: Final Results of the Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024
• Chromium Trioxide From India: Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination
• Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products From the Republic of Korea: Preliminary Results and Recission, In Part, of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2024
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Hot-Rolled Steel Flat Products From the Republic of Korea: Final Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2023
• Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires From Thailand: Preliminary Results and Rescission, in Part, of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
• Certain Paper Shopping Bags From Cambodia: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2024-2025
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In the News:
• USTR Section 301 Chinese Ship Fees Still Expire November 9 Despite Bessent’s Truce Extension [Tech Times]
• Trump’s latest global tariffs face trade court challenge [CNBC]
• How Fast Do Tariffs Pass Through into Consumer Prices? [Liberty Street Economics]|
• China’s Share of U.S. Imports Has Plunged, but Its Value Added Has Proven Stickier [Standford University]
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Ambassador Greer Commends Trade Ministers Signing on to Statement Eliminating Forced Labor in Global Supply Chains - USTR
October 02, 2026
MILWAUKEE – Yesterday, Ambassador Jamieson Greer was pleased to announce that the Trade Ministers of the United States, Mexico, and Argentina agreed to the issuance of a statement on eliminating forced labor in global supply chains on the margins of the G20 Trade Ministerial.
“I applaud my colleagues from Mexico and Argentina for siding with moral and economic reality and recognizing the continued existence of forced labor as an abhorrent human rights issue that distorts global supply chains,” said Ambassador Greer. “Many countries around the world recognize the need to address forced labor in supply chains, and we continue to call on all countries to ramp up efforts to work together toward eradicating forced labor from global supply chains.”
Read the full statement here.
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Substantial Product Hazard List: Amendments to Requirements for Window Covering Cords - Federal Register
AGENCY: Consumer Product Safety Commission.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
SUMMARY: To address window covering cord strangulation risks, the Commission proposes to designate certain window coverings a substantial product hazard. These include products with: accessible free hanging operating cords longer than 8 inches on custom window coverings; exposed continuous loops with and without tension devices on custom horizontal blinds; exposed continuous loops without tension devices on other custom window coverings; lack of a warning on exposed continuous loops and single retractable cords on custom window coverings; presence of stroke lengths longer than 36 inches on single retractable cord lift systems on custom window coverings; and a cord loop lift system on stock or custom roll up style shades.
DATES: Written comments must be received by November 23, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments, identified by Docket No. CPSC-2026-0463, by any of the following methods:
Electronic Submissions: Submit electronic comments to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at:
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. CPSC typically does not accept comments submitted by email, except through www.regulations.gov.
CPSC encourages you to submit electronic comments by using the Federal eRulemaking Portal, as described above.
Confidential Written Submissions: If you wish to submit confidential business information, trade secret information, or other sensitive or protected information that you do not want to be available to the public, you may submit such comments by email to cpsc-os@cpsc.gov.
Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and docket number. CPSC may post all comments without change, including any personal identifiers, contact information, or other personal information provided, to https://www.regulations.gov.
Do not submit through this website: Confidential business information, trade secret information, or other sensitive or protected information that you do not want to be available to the public. If you wish to submit such information, please submit it according to the instructions for confidential written submissions.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to: https://www.regulations.gov, and insert the docket number, CPSC-2026-0463, into the “Search” box, and follow the prompts.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rana Balci-Sinha, Director, Division of Human Factors, Directorate for Engineering Sciences, Office of Risk Reduction, Consumer Product Safety Commission, National Product Testing and Evaluation Center, 5 Research Place, Rockville, MD 20850; Telephone: 301-987-2584; Email: rbalcisinha@cpsc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Request for Public Comments and Notice of Public Hearing Relating to the Operation of the Agreement Between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada - Federal Register
AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).
ACTION: Request for comments and notice of public hearing.
SUMMARY: USTR is commencing a public consultation process in advance of the 2027 annual joint review meeting of the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA or Agreement). As directed by Congress, USTR is seeking public comments on the operation of the Agreement and providing notice of a public hearing.
DATES: January 12, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. EST: Deadline for submitting written comments and requests to appear at the hearing. The request to appear must include a summary of testimony.
2027 Public Hearing: Details regarding the date and location of the public hearing will be published to USTR's website (www.ustr.gov). Please visit USTR's website for any updates to the hearing schedule.
Seven calendar days after the last day of the public hearing, at 11:59 p.m. EST: Deadline for submission of post-hearing rebuttal comments.
ADDRESSES: Submit documents in response to this notice, including written comments, hearing appearance requests, and summaries of testimony through the online USTR portal: https://comments.ustr.gov/s/.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Randall Oliver, Director for Canada, at Randall.T.Oliver@ustr.eop.gov or 202.395.9449, or Braeden Young, Director for Mexico, at Braeden.P.Young@ustr.eop.gov or 202.395.9620.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: