Trade

DOC to Initiate Section 232 Investigation into Mobile Crane Imports

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced today that the Department will initiate an investigation into whether the quantities or circumstances of mobile crane imports into the United States threaten to impair the national security. This decision follows a petition filed by domestic producer, The Manitowoc Company, Inc. (Manitowoc), on December 19, 2019, requesting that the Department of Commerce launch an investigation into mobile crane imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended.  The investigation, to be conducted by the Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, will provide the opportunity for public comment once the rule is posted in the Federal Register.

“We will conduct this review thoroughly and expeditiously,” said Secretary Ross. “This investigation will help determine whether mobile cranes are being imported in such quantities or under such circumstances as to threaten to impair U.S. national security.”

Manitowoc alleges that increased imports of low-priced mobile cranes, particularly from Germany, Austria, and Japan, and intellectual property (IP) infringement by foreign competition,have harmed the domestic mobile crane manufacturing industry.The Department of Homeland Security has identified mobile cranes as a critical industry because of their extensive use in national defense applications, as well as in critical infrastructure sectors.

The petitioner claims the low-priced imports and IP infringement resulted in the closure of one of its two production facilities in the United States and eliminated hundreds of skilled manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin.  Manitowoc cites the U.S. International Trade Commission’s (USITC) Dataweb to note that imports of mobile cranes increased 152% between 2014 and 2019, and a 2015 finding that a Chinese manufacturer misappropriated six trade secrets and infringed on a patent, resulting in the USITC banning the sale of a Chinese crane in the United States.

Commerce Tightens Restrictions on Technology Exports to Combat Chinese, Russian and Venezuelan Military Circumvention Efforts

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The Department of Commerce announced today new export control actions to prevent efforts by entities in China, Russia, and Venezuela to acquire U.S. technology that could be used in development of weapons, military aircraft, or surveillance technology through civilian supply chains, or under civilian-use pretenses, for military end uses and military end-users.

“It is important to consider the ramifications of doing business with countries that have histories of diverting goods purchased from U.S. companies for military applications,” said Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. “Certain entities in China, Russia, and Venezuela have sought to circumvent America’s export controls, and undermine American interests in general, and so we will remain vigilant to ensure U.S. technology does not get into the wrong hands.”

Specifically, the rule changes include:

  • Expansion of Military End Use/User Controls (MEU)
    Expands MEU license requirements controls on China, Russia, and Venezuela to cover military end-users in all three countries, as well as items such as semiconductor equipment, sensors, and other technologies sought for military end use or by military end-users in these countries.
  • Removal of License Exception Civil End Users (CIV)
    Removes a license exception for exports, reexports, or transfers (in-country) to civilian
    end-users in countries of national security concern for National Security- (NS) controlled items.
  • Elimination of License Exception Additional Permissive Reexports (APR) Provisions
    Proposes to eliminate certain provisions of a license exception for partner countries involving the reexport of NS-controlled items to countries of national security concern to ensure consistent reviews of exports and reexports of U.S. items.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in the Department of Commerce is responsible for overseeing these export control activities. BIS’s mission is to advance U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives by ensuring an effective export control and treaty compliance system and promoting continued U.S. strategic technology leadership. BIS is committed to restrict U.S.-origin commodities and technology from use in support of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) projects, terrorism, or destabilizing military modernization programs. For more information, please visit www.bis.doc.gov.

USPTO announces extension of certain patent and trademark-related timing deadlines

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USPTO announces extension of certain patent and trademark-related timing deadlines under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today announced extensions to the time allowed to file certain patent and trademark-related documents and to pay certain required fees. These actions are an exercise of temporary authority provided to the USPTO by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) signed by President Trump on March 27. 

“Inventors and entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of our economy, and we recognize that many of them are having difficulty as a result of COVID-19,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office Andrei Iancu. “As a result, we are working to provide as much relief as possible to our stakeholders, consistent with our ability to maintain the USPTO’s fee-funded operations. We are especially mindful of the outsized impact on small businesses and independent inventors, and we have provided additional relief for these groups. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure not only that inventors and entrepreneurs can weather the storm, but that they can also hit the ground running once it passes.” 

The USPTO has made operational adjustments to keep its employees and the public safe as it remains open for business. In-person meetings, such as hearings and examiner interviews, are being conducted virtually by phone and video until further notice.

FTC Staff Provides Annual Letter to CFPB On Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Activities

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The staff of the Federal Trade Commission has provided the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) with an annual summary of the FTC’s activities enforcing the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).

The FTC shares enforcement responsibility for the FDCPA with the CFPB, which provides an annual report to Congress about debt collection enforcement activities. The annual report, which was released today, highlights both agencies’ efforts to stop unlawful debt collection practices, including law enforcement, education and public outreach, and policy initiatives. Among the actions taken to combat unfair, deceptive, and otherwise unlawful debt collection practices in 2019, the FTC:

  • filed or resolved law enforcement actions against 25 defendants, and obtained more than $24.7 million in judgments;
  • banned 23 companies and individuals who engaged in serious and repeated violations of law from ever working in debt collection again;
  • announced the return of $516,000 to 3,977 consumers who lost money to an unlawful debt collection operation previously stopped by the FTC;
  • deployed educational materials to inform consumers about their rights, and educate debt collectors about their responsibilities, under the FDCPA and FTC Act;
  • supplied more than 27,500 copies of a fotonovela (graphic novel) on debt collection, developed for Spanish speakers, to raise awareness about scams targeting the Latino community;
  • organized and cosponsored Common Ground conferences, bringing together law enforcement personnel, consumer advocates, and community members to discuss consumer protection issues, including debt collection; and
  • hosted public forums on small business financing and credit reporting, which raised debt collection policy issues.

The letter also highlights FTC staff’s submission of a public comment on the CFPB’s proposed rules implementing the FDCPA. The comment provided an overview of the Commission’s law enforcement, policy, and education efforts to protect consumers from unlawful debt collection practices, and provided FTC staff feedback on several components of the proposed rules.

Wilbur Ross Travels to the United Kingdom, Asia, and Australia to Advocate for American Workers

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WASHINGTON – Following the United National General Assembly, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross spent two weeks travelling to the United Kingdom, India, Singapore, and Australia to advocate for American workers and businesses, as well as to build upon the United States’ robust relationships with these nations.

“Across the world, the Trump Administration is building better commercial partnerships with dozens of countries,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “Our efforts have led to countless new opportunities for American businesses and workers, further driving economic growth and job creation.”

During the Secretary’s visit to London, he joined roundtable meetings with British-American businesses on Brexit and future opportunities, participated in a space-focused discussion with U.S. satellite and aerospace firms, as well as dedicated time to speak with the media about the importance of the two nations’ partnership. He also appeared at an event hosted by Ambassador Johnson with American financial and legal institutions to discuss the future of U.S.-U.K. relations.

Beginning with his remarks at the World Economic Forum in New Delhi, Secretary Ross met with Minister of Commerce and Industry and Railways Piyush Goyal to stress the positive trends of the U.S.-India trade relationship. He later joined Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister Goyal in bilateral meetings to advance U.S. commercial interests. Subsequently in Bangalore, Secretary Ross met with Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman K. Sivan to learn more about potential collaborations for U.S. and Indian space entities.

While in Singapore, Secretary Ross joined Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as well as Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing to discuss U.S.-Singapore relations and the business environment for American private industries. The Secretary also participated in a meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore to hear their thoughts on the future of the trade partnership.

After arriving in Australia, Secretary Ross met with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham, and Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matt Canavan, to discuss American and Australian commercial collaboration. The Secretary also participated in an event hosted by the Space Industry Association of Australia in partnership with the Australian Capital Territory government, and delivered remarks before the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia. Additionally, Secretary Ross paid his respects to the U.S.-Australia alliance with a sunset wreath laying at the Australian War Memorial.

Upcoming Domestic and International Trade Events

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Event: WEFTEC 2019 
Date: September 21-25, 2019 
Location: Chicago, IL 
Description: WEFTEC is the largest conference of its kind in North America and offers water quality professionals from around the world with the best water quality education and training available today. The U.S. Commercial Service will be offering B2B matchmaking and Showtime market counseling services. 

Event: Expo Agua Peru
Date: October 16-18, 2019
Location: Lima, Peru
Description: This is the main water expo of Peru, where the latest technological innovations and integral solutions for the sustainable and productive management of water are presented. The event brings together leading companies in their fields, international experts, decision makers and a broad segment of end-users coming from the water sector and related sectors (agriculture, mining and industry); who share their experiences and solutions to the problems and challenges that face Peru and the Andean region regarding the integral water management. The U.S. Commercial Service will have a booth space and offer matchmaking and promotional opportunities for interested U.S. firms.  

Event: IFAT India
Date: October 16-18, 2019
Location: Bombay Exhibition Center, India
Description: IFAT India is the country’s leading trade fair for water, sewage, solid waste, and recycling. The trade fair provides a platform for exhibitors to showcase their latest innovations and solutions, debate current issues and form business relationships on a global scale. 

Event: WETEX
Date: October 22-24, 2019
Location: Dubai, UAE

Event: InterAqua
Date: January 29-31, 2020
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Event: Envirotech Executive Service (EES) Mission – Water Delegation to India
Location: New Delhi, Ahmedabad & Chennai with optional spin-off Gold Key Service in Mumbai or Hyderabad
Date: February 9-15, 2020 (spin-off on February 17, 2020)
Description: Water/wastewater is one of the most promising sub-sectors of the environment technologies industry in India for U.S. exporters.  The EES Mission to India will introduce potential delegates to the Indian water/wastewater markets in these three cities; help participants learn about relevant policies, procedures and opportunities in India’s water industry; and take part in business to business matchmaking appointments with private sector organizations and government agencies.  In addition, the delegates will have an opportunity to visit/participate in the Water Expo 2020, a local trade show that takes place from February 13-15, 2020 in Chennai. 

Event: Water Today’s Water Expo 
Location: Chennai, India
Date: February 13-15, 2020

Event: IFAT
Date: May 5-9, 2020 
Location: Munich, Germany 
Description: IFAT is the World’s Leading Trade Fair for Water, Sewage, Waste and Raw Materials Management. This truly international show offered over 3,300 exhibitors the opportunity to present their latest innovations in waste management and recycling to more than 142,000 visitors from 162 countries!

Event: Singapore International Water Week
Date: July 5-9, 2020
Location: Singapore
Description: There will be a U.S. pavilion and support for participating U.S. exhibitors from the U.S. Commercial Service in Singapore.  

Event: USA Fair Access Nigeria
Date: March 31-April 2, 2020
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Description: The USA Fair 2020 in Lagos, Nigeria will present American manufacturers, suppliers and service providers with product showcase opportunities in the largest and most dynamic market on the African continent! Save the date now and register by November 30, 2019 to get the early bird rate. 

U.S. Metro Areas Exported $1.5 Trillion in Merchandise Across the World in 2018

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Photo of cargo shipments at a U.S. port

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration released the 2018 goods export data for the nation’s 392 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA), highlighting that U.S. metro areas exported a significant $1.5 trillion in merchandise across the world last year. In fact, from 2017 to 2018, exports from MSAs increased $110.3 billion – or 8.1 percent, and 259 metropolitan areas reported positive export growth, with 94 reaching record-level exports.

“The Trump Administration is committed to addressing trade imbalances, breaking down trade barriers, and providing U.S. companies with new reach in foreign markets,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, Gilbert Kaplan. “With this increase in exports over the last year and the continued work of the Commercial Service, it is a fruitful time for American businesses.”

In 2018, 165 metropolitan areas supported more than $1 billion in merchandise exports; of these, 22 areas reported exports between $10 and $25 billion, and 12 eclipsed the $25 billion threshold. Additionally, 10 metropolitan areas from Texas and 5 metropolitan areas from California are included in the top 50 ranking of metropolitan areas by 2018 export value.

The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land (Texas) metropolitan area topped the rankings with $120.7 billion in goods exports. As in 2017, this metropolitan area also showed the highest annual dollar growth in exports, expanding $25.0 billion from 2017 to 2018. The remaining top five metropolitan areas are: New York-Newark-Jersey City (New York-New Jersey-Pennsylvania) with exports of $97.7 billion; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (California) with exports of $64.8 billion; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue (Washington) with exports of $59.7 billion; and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (Illinois-Indiana-Wisconsin) with exports of $47.3 billion.

Upcoming: USA pavilion at 2019 China  International Fair for Trade in Services

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American International Chamber of Commerce (AICC) will host a USA pavilion at 2019 China  International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) to promote exports and promote American brands, products and services. AICC welcomes U.S. enterprises to participate into the USA pavilion in 2019 CIFTIS.

2019 China  International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, has been successfully held for five years, becoming a leading exhibition of trade and services in China and the largest comprehensive fair for trade in services in the world. 2019 CIFTIS  will be held in Beijing from May 28 to June 1 in the theme of “Opening-up, Innovation, Intelligence and Integration”.

This year’s CIFTIS has 5 major features:

Highlight expansion of opening-up in service industry and trade in services, and contribute to building a new pattern of comprehensive opening-up. Implement China’s strategy of expanding opening-up, display the 68 achievements made during the first two batches of Beijing’s expansion of opening-up in service industry and China’s opening-up measures such as free trade pilot zone, promote Beijing’s new round of pilot policies for expansion of opening-up in service industry, standards of trade in services, rule-making and system construction, advance further opening-up and cooperation in global trade in services and contribute to building a community of shared future for mankind.

Stress internationalization and deepen the “Belt and Road” international cooperation on trade in services. Invite countries along the “Belt and Road”, top 30 countries and regions of trade in services, 14 countries that signed trade in services agreements with China, international trade associations and well-known enterprises in service industry and trade in services to participate in the fair.

Stress innovation-driven, intelligent development, integration and improvement, and lead the innovation and development of service industry and trade in services. Actively implement the innovation-driven development strategy, exhibit new models, businesses, and services that new technologies such as artificial intelligence and 5G are applied in service field; Promote innovation achievements in intelligent manufacturing, healthcare, and life, the digitization and intelligence of service industry and trade in services; Facilitate the integrated development between service industries including modern service industry and advanced manufacturing, culture and tourism, and that between trade in services and service consumption.

Emphasize negotiation trade, and enable participating enterprises to achieve practical cooperation. This year’s CIFTIS, with serving customers as the fundamental goal and facilitating negotiation trade as the core, collects demands for project trade and carries out trade matching in advance; Push ahead negotiation and cooperation with more than 100 promotion and negotiation activities.

Make a new exhibition layout, magnify CIFTIS’ role as a platform. This year’s CIFTIS uses the form of “one main venue assisted by multiple others” for the first time, which is to set up the main venue at China National Convention Center and the neighboring Beijing International Convention Center & the Olympic Celebration Square, other venues at Wangfujing Business Street, Financial Street, Central Business District, Sub-center, Huilonguan and Tiantongyuan areas, etc.As a state-level, international and comprehensive trading platform for trade in services, CIFTIS is important in serving national politics, economy, diplomacy, reform and opening up, development, and achieving the expansion of opening-up in China’s service industry and the high-quality development of trade in services.

The AICC team welcome your participation!

Contact:

Mr. Jason Quin
American International Chamber of Commerce
355 S. Grand Ave., Suite 2450
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Email: jasonquin@aiccus.org

Ms. Wendy Liu
AICC Beijing Office
9 Jianwai Street, DRC 7-3-43
Chaoyang, Beijing, 100600
Email: beijing@aiccus.org

Apply Now!

Link:

CIFTIS website

USTR: Statement on the United States Trade Delegation’s Meetings in Beijing

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Washington – On January 7-9, an official delegation from the United States led by Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Jeffrey Gerrish held meetings in Beijing with Chinese officials to discuss ways to achieve fairness, reciprocity, and balance in trade relations between our two countries. The officials also discussed the need for any agreement to provide for complete implementation subject to ongoing verification and effective enforcement. The meetings were held as part of the agreement reached by President Donald J. Trump and President Xi Jinping in Buenos Aires to engage in 90 days of negotiations with a view to achieving needed structural changes in China with respect to forced technology transfer, intellectual property protection, non-tariff barriers, cyber intrusions and cyber theft of trade secrets for commercial purposes, services, and agriculture.  The talks also focused on China’s pledge to purchase a substantial amount of agricultural, energy, manufactured goods, and other products and services from the United States.  The United States officials conveyed President Trump’s commitment to addressing our persistent trade deficit and to resolving structural issues in order to improve trade between our countries.

The delegation will now report back to receive guidance on the next steps.

Statement Regarding the United States Delegation to China

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Washington, DC – The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) today announced the members of an official delegation from the United States to China to discuss the trade relationship between the two countries beginning Monday, January 7, 2019.  

Members of the United States Delegation:

  • Ambassador Jeffrey Gerrish, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative
  • Ambassador Gregg Doud, USTR Chief Agricultural Negotiator
  • Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney, U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Gilbert B. Kaplan, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy Steven Winberg, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Under Secretary for International Affairs David Malpass, U.S. Department of the Treasury 

The delegation will be accompanied by senior officials from the White House, USTR, and the U.S. departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Energy, State, and Treasury.