Breaking Trade News: New Tariffs on South Korea, 232 Lawsuit, FMC Investigation | Customs & International Trade Law Blog

Here’s a recap of the newest customs and worldwide commerce information: 

Administration 

President Trump threatened, through Fact Social, that he’s growing South Korean tariffs from 15% to 25% as a result of that nation’s legislature has not authorised the commerce deal that was introduced over the summer time. 
President Trump threatened Canada with 100% tariffs if Canada “makes a take care of China.”  

Customs and Border Safety (CBP) 

In accordance with a new report from the Authorities Accountability Workplace (GAO), CBP didn’t absolutely observe by on addressing safety incidents involving some individuals within the company’s Customs Commerce Partnership In opposition to Terrorism (CTPAT) program. 
CBP revealed a fast reference information on submitting withhold launch order and discovering modification requests to the brand new compelled labor portal. 
Upcoming CBP webinar: New World Screwworm (NWS) Influence to U.S. – February 3, 1:00 PM EST. Register right here. 

Court docket of Worldwide Commerce 

Importer Categorical Fasteners filed a lawsuit difficult the applying of casual CBP steering on Part 232 metal and aluminum content material valuation, claiming CBP did not observe required “discover and remark” rulemaking procedures.  
The CIT dominated that Nvidia Crypto Mining Chips are machine components, and thus not eligible for an exclusion from Part 301 China tariffs. 

World Customs Group (WCO) 

The WCO revealed amendments to the 2028 Harmonized System. The 2028 amendments, comprise 299 units of amendments and can enter into drive on January 1, 2028. 

United States Commerce Consultant (USTR) 

The U.S. Lumber Coalition despatched a letter to USTR urging the company to scrap the USMCA binational panel evaluation system through the USMCA evaluation course of. The coalition argued that the system needs to be eradicated in gentle of Canada’s current efforts to dramatically broaden the facility and authority of the panels. 
The Workplace of the USTR stated that the U.S. and Mexico have agreed to start formal discussions on potential structural and strategic reforms in USMCA Joint Evaluate together with stronger guidelines of origin for key industrial items. 

Federal Maritime Fee (FMC) 

The FMC launched an investigation into potential non-compliance of the Delivery Act by ocean widespread carriers that could be unjustly and unreasonably proscribing motor carriers and shippers of their alternative of chassis suppliers. 
The FMC assessed a civil penalty of $22.67 million in opposition to Mediterranean Delivery Firm for 3 kinds of Delivery Act violations. 

Client Product Security Fee (CPSC) 

The CPSC is in search of remark on revised requirements governing toddler and cradle swings. Feedback are due by February 12. 
The CPSC is in search of remark on revised requirements governing transportable hook-on chairs. Feedback are due by February 12. 

Congress 

The possible authorities shutdown set to start out on January 31 will influence some commerce businesses. BIS, EPA, and USDA have already been funded. Nevertheless, different businesses similar to OFAC and the FDA could be impacted.  
The Defending American Property Overseas Act of 2026 handed the Home Transportation Committee. The invoice would give the president the authority to ban passenger ships and cargo ships from calling on U.S. ports in the event that they visited the previous Vulcan Supplies port in Mexico. 
Home Consultant Rick Allen of Georgia launched a invoice to pay forest landowners, timber harvesting companies and timber hauling companies for income loss. The invoice proposes funding the funds by duties collected on Canadian softwood lumber.  

Worldwide Information 

The chief of the EU commerce committee stated that the committee didn’t decide on resuming discussions about reducing tariffs on U.S. exports. The committee will meet once more on February 4 to reassess.