Trade

THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES NEW AUTO PARTS TARIFF INCLUSIONS PROCESS

AICC Auto, Business, Home, Import, International, News, Tariff, Trade, USA, World

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) today released new procedures for including additional automobile parts articles to be subject to 25% tariffs under Section 232 tariffs on imported automobile parts. This program will strengthen the objectives of Section 232 tariffs to protect critical U.S. national security interests related to automobiles and automobile parts.  

Pursuant to President Donald J. Trump’s proclamation on March 26, 2025, the Department of Commerce has established a process by which domestic producers of automobile parts articles may request additional auto parts articles to be included in the scope of Section 232 tariffs on automobile parts. The established process will be published in the Federal Register. 

To ensure efficient resource use and to provide predictability to U.S. industry, ITA is establishing two-week submission windows four times annually each January, April, July, and October, with the first window opening July 1, 2025. ITA will review received requests on a rolling basis during the two-week submission window.

Following the two-week submission window, a non-confidential version of each valid request will be posted on regulations.gov and open for public comment for 14 days. This public review and comment phase will ensure a transparent, complete, and legally-robust process for final analysis and determination, including whether the product is an auto part article and whether increased imports of the article threaten to impair national security or Section 232 automobile tariff objectives. ITA will make a determination within 60 days of receiving the request. 

Submissions of inclusions requests must include (1) applicant identification, (2) description of requested auto part article, (3) eight or ten-digit HTSUS classification requested for tariff inclusion, (4) explanation of why the article is an auto parts article, (5) information on the domestic industry affected, (6) statistics on imports and domestic production, and (7) description of how and to what extent imports of the article have increased in a manner that threatens to impair national security or undermine Section 232 automobile tariff objectives. All submissions must be made via regulations.gov. 

U.S. Trade Representative Issues Statement on President Trump’s Declaration of a National Emergency

AICC Business, Home, Information, News, Trade, USA, World

WASHINGTON, April 2 — Ambassador Jamieson Greer issued the following statement in support of President Donald J. Trump invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose responsive tariffs to address the national emergency driven by the absence of reciprocity in our bilateral trade relationships.

“Today, President Trump is taking urgent action to protect the national security and economy of the United States. The current lack of trade reciprocity, demonstrated by our chronic trade deficit, has weakened our economic and national security. After only 72 days in office, President Trump has prioritized swift action to bring reciprocity to our trade relations and reduce the trade deficit by leveling the playing field for American workers and manufacturers, reshoring American jobs, expanding our domestic manufacturing base, and ensuring our defense-industrial base is not dependent on foreign adversaries—all leading to stronger economic and national security.”

Secretary Raimondo and Minister Goyal Convene 6th U.S.-India Commercial Dialogue Meetings

AICC Business, Home, India, International, News, Pacific, Trade, Travel, USA, World

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal convened the 6th ministerial level meeting of the U.S.-India Commercial Dialogue (Commercial Dialogue). The Secretary and the Minister took stock of the following achievements since the 5th ministerial meeting took place in March 2023 in New Delhi, India:

  • Semiconductor Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): The Secretary and the Minister praised the two sides’ continuing efforts to facilitate resilient, secure, and sustainable semiconductor supply chains. Since the signing of the MOU Establishing Semiconductor Supply Chain and Innovation Partnership under the Framework of the U.S.-India Commercial Dialogue, the U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association and the India Electronics Semiconductor Association have completed their private sector “readiness assessment,” launched under the U.S.-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology to identify near-term industry opportunities and facilitate longer-term strategic development of complementary semiconductor ecosystems. The Secretary and the Minister pledged to continue working under the MOU to facilitate collaboration between U.S. and Indian companies towards mutually beneficial business opportunities, such as investments, joint ventures, and technology partnerships; and to promote talent and workforce development to benefit both countries.
  • Innovation Handshake MOU: The Secretary and the Minister welcomed the success of the two roundtables convened in November 2023 in San Francisco and March 2024 in New Delhi, bringing the two countries’ startup ecosystems closer together and carrying forward their ambitions under the MOU to Enhance Innovation Ecosystems through an Innovation Handshake under the Framework of the U.S.-India Commercial Dialogue.
  • U.S.-India Energy Industry Network (EIN): The Secretary and the Minister praised the work done on the EIN Roundtable organized during the Clean EDGE and Environmental Technologies Business Development Mission in March 2024 in New Delhi. The trade mission brought 12 U.S. companies to India to help grow sustainable and secure clean energy markets and accelerate the adoption of environmental solutions in India. Views exchanged during the EIN Roundtable helped to inform the U.S.-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) Ministerial convened by the U.S. Secretary of Energy and the Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas on September 16, 2024, in Washington.
  • Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF): The Secretary and the Minister also commended the significant progress announced at the recent virtual IPEF ministerial meeting in September, including the work being done to improve supply chain resilience under the IPEF Supply Chain Agreement for the IPEF partners. They highlighted their commitment to collaborate initially in the critical areas of semiconductors, chemicals, critical minerals with a focus on batteries, and potentially healthcare products, as agreed to by the IPEF Supply Chain Council.

The Secretary and the Minister also reviewed other joint efforts that have been made, including under the India-U.S. Strategic Trade Dialogue and the Standards and Conformance Cooperation Program (SCCP). Looking ahead, they discussed the following priorities for future collaboration:

  • Critical Minerals MOU: The Secretary and the Minister reaffirmed that supply chain resilience remains a shared policy priority for the bilateral commercial relationship. On October 3, they signed a new MOU to Expand and Diversify Critical Minerals Supply Chains, with the aim of leveraging the two countries’ complementary strengths to ensure greater resilience in the critical minerals sector. Priority areas of focus include identifying equipment, services, policies, and best practices to facilitate the mutually beneficial commercial development of U.S. and Indian critical minerals exploration, extraction, processing and refining, recycling, and recovery.
  • INDUS Innovation: The Secretary and the Minister launched a new effort under the Innovation Handshake agenda to accelerate innovation specifically in energy security, technology, and sustainability. To leverage the complementary strengths of the United States and India, as the #1 and #3 largest startup ecosystems in the world, the U.S. Department of Commerce and Indian Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, intend to invite startup companies, investors, and technology thought leaders to come together in 2025 in search of breakthrough solutions to advance “INDUS Innovation for Energy Security, Technology and Sustainability.” Targeted problem sets and other details will be announced in the coming months.
  • Supporting Women-Owned and Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): The Secretary and the Minister looked forward to the U.S. Department of Commerce-led Global Diversity Export Initiative Trade Mission to India in early March 2025, with a focus on expanding opportunities in the Indian market for U.S. SMEs that are owned, operated, or led by members of underserved communities. The trade mission will commence in Bengaluru with an “Export Markets Providing Opportunities for Women’s Economic Rise (EMPOWER) Asia Business Conference” seeking to provide networking, mentorship, and digital skilling resources geared towards U.S. and Indian business leaders so that they can thrive in increasingly competitive and digitized markets.
  • Expanding Startup and SME Resources in Bengaluru: The Secretary and the Minister applauded plans to expand the U.S. Department of Commerce’s presence in India to a total of about 70 Foreign Commercial Service staff across seven cities. In Bengaluru, where the State Department is planning to open a new U.S. consulate, a new position will be created to serve as a one-stop resource for U.S. and Indian startups and SMEs and to help advance the two sides’ plans for an SME Presidents Forum to explore greater SME engagement, sharing of best practices, peer learning, support for women entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses, green technology, access to digital market platforms, and integration into global value chains.
  • Travel and Tourism: The Secretary and the Minister applauded the work plan established by the Travel and Tourism Working Group under the Commercial Dialogue as a significant step towards strengthening collaboration between India and the United States in the travel and tourism sector. Through a series of joint activities such as working group meetings, business matchmaking events, data exchanges, and outreach programs, both countries intend to work closely to boost two-way travel and improve industry coordination, thereby contributing to economic growth and job creation while deepening the overall U.S.-India relationship.
  • Healthcare: The Secretary and the Minister acknowledged the need for and expressed a shared interest in greater information exchange about their respective government’s actions to address supply chain networks that underpin domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities, with a view towards strengthening the current state of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) industrial base, production capacities, and emergency response capabilities.

The Secretary and Minister underscored the importance of the Commercial Dialogue in sustaining momentum on shared economic priorities. They expressed a shared interest in exploring collaboration, based on mutual trust and confidence, in new and emerging areas of technology and trade, in addition to continuing ongoing work in other sectors under the framework of the Commercial Dialogue, to improve supply chain resilience and boost economic prosperity in both countries. Towards that end, they confirmed their intention to convene in 2025 a mid-year review led by senior government officials from both sides. The mid-year review will allow each side to carry forward the above priorities identified under the Commercial Dialogue, implementing a roadmap based on the Secretary’s and the Minister’s economic vision and ensuring robust private sector engagement to inform ongoing efforts.

Finally, the Secretary and the Minister welcomed the reconvening of the U.S.-India CEO Forum on October 2, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Both sides noted with appreciation the valued contributions of the U.S. and Indian Section CEOs and their joint recommendations to the two governments, covering a wide range of topics. These recommendations serve to guide policy decisions that strengthen bilateral commercial and trade ties, drive economic growth and innovation, and foster a resilient bilateral partnership.

Secretary Raimondo and Minister Goyal Co-Chair 2024 U.S.-India CEO Forum

AICC AICC, Business, Home, India, International, Investment, News, Trade, USA, World

Today, the United States hosted the 6thmeeting of the U.S.-India CEO Forum, which was co-chaired by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Minister of Commerce and Industry of India Piyush Goyal. The U.S.-India CEO Forum is a platform that convenes leaders of the U.S. and Indian business communities to develop and provide joint recommendations to strengthen bilateral commercial ties and expand trade and investment between India and the United States.

During the meeting, U.S. and Indian government representatives and CEO Forum members reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral commerce and trade, driving inclusive economic growth and innovation, and fostering a resilient bilateral partnership.

The Secretary and the Minister thanked Mr. James Taiclet, President and Chief Executive Officer, Lockheed Martin, and Mr. N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons, for their leadership as Private Sector Co-Chairs from 2023–2024. They noted, with appreciation, the recommendations made by the Forum members over the past two years and their respective initiatives.

They also took stock of the Forum’s accomplishments, including the launch of the publicly accessible Network for Innovation and Harnessing Investments and Trade for Inclusive Growth between the United States and India (NIHIT) Platform to facilitate online knowledge sharing and networking among U.S. and Indian startups and small businesses. To date, NIHIT has organized four workshops to promote capacity building and skilling in cybersecurity, digital technologies, and AI, which have been attended by over 1,000 startups, small businesses, and entrepreneurs.

CEO Forum members, which represent a total of 22 U.S. companies and 25 Indian companies, have also made a series of recent announcements demonstrating their commitment to advancing U.S.-India commercial engagement:

  • Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited’s recent signing of a teaming agreement on the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. The agreement creates a framework to (1) establish a new maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility in India to support the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fleet and other global fleets of C-130J Super Hercules aircraft; and (2) expand the manufacturing and assembly of these aircraft in India to support the IAF’s Medium Transport Aircraft program.
  • Kyndryl Inc.’s collaboration with Indian microfinancier CreditAccess (CA) Grameen to deliver advanced technology services needed to digitize and transform CA Grameen’s microloan processing business, enabling more than 2 million women borrowers to have easy and fast access to credit in rural India.
  • Amneal Pharmaceutical’s announcement this week of the launch of medicines in several new therapeutic areas and the groundbreaking of a state-of-the-art peptide manufacturing facility in Ahmedabad, India.
  • Honeywell International’s delivery and commissioning in September of a 1.4 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) for the Solar Energy Corporation of India’s project on the Lakshadweep Islands, which is India’s first on-grid solar initiative using BESS to manage the supply of renewable power.
  • Pfizer’s launch in September of its first commercial analytics center in India, called the “Analytics Gateway,” which will harness AI and best-in-class data science to improve Pfizer’s analytics of international markets and help it deliver more of its medicines to patients in need in India and around the world.
  • Viasat’s MOU on Space Collaboration, signed in September with the Government of India, to set a roadmap for collaboration on the development of next-generation space technologies between the two parties to deliver high-speed and high-capacity internet services to users in India and internationally.

Otis Worldwide’s groundbreaking in August of an expansion to its manufacturing facility in Bengaluru, India. The expansion will double the company’s current escalator production capacity and help it further support metro projects and other residential, commercial and infrastructure development throughout India through the sale of elevators and escalators.

AICC Delegation Visits KITA

AICC AICC, Asian, Home, News, South Korea, Trade, World

Sept 26, Jason Quin, Executive Chairman of the American Chamber of International Commerce (AICC), met with Lee In-ho, Executive Vice president of the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), In Seoul today.

Jason Quin and Lee In-Ho had a dialogue and exchange on cooperation between U.S. and Korean companies In the areas of investment, trade and high technology, support for overseas marketing and investment, provision of trade information and research, training of international trade experts, and trade-related consulting.

The 10th SelectUSA Investment Summit, Taking Place Next June in National Harbor, MD

AICC AICC, Business, Home, Information, International, Investment, News, Trade, USA, World

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced today that registration is now open for SelectUSA’s 10thInvestment Summit to be held June 23 – 26, 2024, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.

The SelectUSA Investment Summit is the highest-profile event dedicated to promoting foreign direct investment (FDI) in the United States, with a focus on the U.S. investment environment, industry trends, and creating business opportunities. Drawing more than 4,900 participants in 2023, the Investment Summit facilitates connections between investors, economic developers, and industry experts to seek opportunities available through U.S. investment. Attendees and speakers include senior government officials, C-Suite business executives, and industry leaders.

“This year we are excited to celebrate the 10th SelectUSA Investment Summit, marking a decade of work by the Commerce Department to provide a platform that encourages foreign direct investment and economic development across the country,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “For 11 years now, the United States has ranked as the top destination for global companies to invest and the SelectUSA Investment Summit has been critical to this success. As we implement President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, the Investment Summit is a key way we can continue to bolster foreign direct investment and new international business partnerships in the U.S.”

The 2024 SelectUSA Investment Summit will offer exciting opportunities for all attendees with programming that will include plenary and academy sessions on key topics in the Biden Administration’s Investing in America agenda, including advanced batteries, Internet for All and U.S. infrastructure, clean energy, critical minerals, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and the CHIPS Act.  

Innovation and entrepreneurship will once again be at the forefront of the Investment Summit this year. The SelectUSA Tech program, which connects early-stage and startup technology companies to prospects for advancement in the U.S. market, will allow participants to exhibit their products and services at branded booths with the opportunity to upload a product and service demo video, apply to pitch in front of a panel of judges, participate in workshops and Investment Academy sessions, and other engagement opportunities.

The Select Global Women in Tech (SGWIT) Mentorship Network, geared towards international women founders, entrepreneurs, and executives in the technology sector, will see its fourth iteration of programming at the SelectUSA Investment Summit. SGWIT participants will be matched in sessions with an experienced mentor to help them develop a market entry strategy, tailor their product and promotion for success in the U.S. market, gain access to an exclusive networking platform, and hear from successful global founders.


About the SelectUSA Investment Summit
The SelectUSA Investment Summit brings together more than 4,900 participants, including EDO representation from over 50 U.S. states and territories, more than 2,300 business investors representing over 80 international markets, and industry experts providing insight and advice on how to successfully invest in the United States.

The SelectUSA Investment Summit has directly helped generate more than $98 billion in new U.S. investment projects, supporting over 81,000 jobs across the United States and its territories.


The U.S. Department of Commerce-led SelectUSA program promotes and facilitates business investment into the United States by coordinating related federal government agencies to serve as a single point of contact for investor companies. SelectUSA assists U.S. economic development organizations to compete globally for investment by providing information, a platform for international marketing, and high-level advocacy. SelectUSA also helps business investors find the information they need to make decisions, connect to the right people at the local level, navigate the federal regulatory system, and find solutions to issues related to the federal government.

Readout of Secretary Raimondo’s Meeting with Minister of Commerce of China Wang Wentao

AICC Asia, Business, China, Home, News, Trade, USA, World

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo today met with Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China Wang Wentao to advance U.S. commercial and strategic interests. The meeting was part of ongoing efforts to deliver on President Biden’s directive following his meeting with President Xi in November 2022 to deepen bilateral discussions. 

Secretary Raimondo emphasized the importance of ensuring open lines of communication between the United States and China and took concrete steps to deliver on that goal. Secretary Raimondo and Minister Wang agreed to: 

  • Establish a new commercial issues working group, a consultation mechanism involving U.S. and PRC government officials and private sector representatives to seek solutions on trade and investment issues and to advance U.S. commercial interests in China. They agreed that the working group will meet twice annually at the Vice Minister level, with the U.S. hosting the first meeting in early 2024.
  • Launch the export control enforcement information exchange, which will serve as a platform to reduce misunderstanding of U.S. national security policies. The first in-person meeting will occur at the Assistant Secretary level at the Ministry of Commerce in Beijing on Tuesday, August 29.
  • Convene subject matter experts from both sides to hold technical discussions regarding strengthening the protection of trade secrets and confidential business information during administrative licensing proceedings. 
  • Communicate regularly at the Secretary and Minister level about commercial and economic issues and to meet in-person at least once annually. 

Secretary Raimondo discussed opportunities to promote economic exchange where it aligns with U.S. interests and values. She underscored the importance of leveling the playing field for U.S. workers and businesses and ensuring the fair and transparent treatment of U.S. companies in China. Finally, Secretary Raimondo reinforced the Administration’s commitment to taking actions necessary to protect U.S. national security and reiterated the Administration’s “small yard, high fence” approach, underscoring that export controls are narrowly targeted at technologies that have clear national security or human rights impacts and are not about containing China’s economic growth.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to Travel to the People’s Republic of China

AICC Asia, China, Home, News, Trade, USA, World

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo will travel to Beijing and Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), from August 27-30 for meetings with senior PRC officials and U.S. business leaders. Secretary Raimondo’s travel follows President Biden’s meeting with President Xi last November to deepen communication between the U.S. and the PRC on a range of issues. While in the PRC, Secretary Raimondo looks forward to constructive discussions on issues relating to the U.S.-China commercial relationship, challenges faced by U.S. businesses, and areas for potential cooperation.

U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo Releases 2023 National Export Strategy

AICC Business, Export, Home, Import, International, News, Trade, USA, World

Today, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo released the 2023 National Export Strategy(NES). This report to Congress establishes U.S. trade promotion priorities and a coordinated, whole-of-government framework to better equip American companies and workers to compete in global markets and grow through international trade. The NES highlights government programs and resources to assist U.S. businesses – including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), historically underrepresented businesses, and those new to exporting – to overcome barriers to trade and sell their goods and services globally.

“The Biden-Harris Administration’s generational investments in U.S. industry, innovation, workforce training, and place-based economic development are setting the stage for inclusive economic growth and boosting U.S. competitiveness on the global stage,” said Secretary Raimondo. “We are releasing the 2023 National Export Strategy amidst these historic investments, which outlines how we align the full force of the federal government to help U.S. businesses and workers compete and win in international markets—including small businesses exporting for the first time.”

The 2023 NES was released during the Biden-Harris Administration’s inaugural meeting of the President’s Export Council (PEC), a body that serves as the principal national advisory committee on international trade. The PEC is comprised of more than two dozen leaders from the private sector, labor, and academia who provide recommendations to the President on policies and programs that affect U.S. trade performance.

The 2023 NES contains export promotion actions and activities to increase and enhance market opportunities in several sectors, including:

1. Climate and clean technologies
2. Manufacturing
3. Travel and tourism
4. International education
5. Global infrastructure development
6. Agriculture, fish and forestry
7. Seafood industries

The 2023 NES was developed by the Trade Promotion Coordination Committee (TPCC), an interagency body established to provide a unifying framework to coordinate the export promotion and export financing activities of the U.S. government. The TPCC Secretariat is housed within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration.

U.S.-UK Joint Statement on the U.S-UK Data Bridge

AICC Business, Home, International, IT, News, Technology, Telecommunication, Trade, UK, USA, World

Washington D.C., June 9 – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology the Rt Hon Chloe Smith MP issued a joint statement yesterday on the announcement that both countries have committed in principle to establish a data bridge.

“Today, President Joseph R. Biden and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that they have committed in principle to establish a data bridge allowing for the free flow of data between organizations in the United Kingdom and participating organizations in the United States.

“This announcement represents the UK’s intent to establish a data bridge for the UK Extension to the U.S.-EU Data Privacy Framework, subject to the UK’s data bridge assessment and further technical work being finalized, and dependent on the U.S. designation of the UK as a qualifying state under Executive Order 14086.

“Today’s announcement also reflects two years of progress and is a key step towards realizing both countries’ mutual ambition to establish a data bridge that would restore a robust and reliable mechanism for U.S.-UK data flows. 

“A U.S.-UK data bridge would uphold the rights of data subjects, facilitate responsible innovation, and provide individuals in both countries greater access to the services that suit them, whilst reducing the burdens on businesses and delivering better outcomes for people.

“We expect that the establishment of the data bridge will also further facilitate transfers to U.S. organizations that rely on other data transfer mechanisms under UK law.

“Reaching this significant milestone builds on the goal set at the inaugural meeting of the U.S.-UK Comprehensive Dialogue on Technology and Data, in January, to finalize a data bridge for U.S.-UK data flows in 2023 and is reflective of the importance of international collaboration to meet the global challenges and opportunities on data.

“We will continue working together to facilitate trusted cross-border data flows, including on multilateral initiatives, such as the Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules Forum, and through international fora, such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).”