TradeLane

More news on the US trade remedies front. 

Steel (25%) and aluminum (10%) duties under Section 232 that were initiated on National Security grounds, appear to be even more onerous as the Trump administration has announced that products targeted for Section 232 advanced duties will lose the benefit of GSP trade preference. 

There is great concern that other free trade programs may be similarly affected on Section 232 products. 

Expect supply chain disruptions, higher costs, and litigation.

On March 20, the 13^th National People's Congress of China has formally reached an agreement on the institutional reform plan of the Chinese governmental agencies submitted by the State Council.  According to the restructuring plan, many governmental agencies related to import and export operations will be integrated or simplified, and the related parties’ working scope shall be adjusted as well.

Tradewin has summarized the developments as relates to import/export as follows:

The responsibilities and personnel of China and Inspection Quarantine (CIQ) shall be integrated into China Customs.

With modern age online shopping, our favorite items might just be a click away. When I was living in Shanghai, logistics had become so advanced that the typical lead time from purchasing an item to having it delivered at the door should not take more than 1 or 2 days.

As a consumer, do we ever think about how it is possible for products to be delivered so quickly?

As a customs and trade consultant, I have had the privilege to work with many retailers. We analyze the flow of goods and transactions to optimize supply chain and trade compliance.

In December 1999, as we approached the year 2000, there was intense speculation no computer would be able to cope with the programming disaster known as Y2K. Experts predicted a blackout on computer-operated systems not configured for a four-digit year code, and software engineers worked frantically to fix the problem. Many believed that blackouts would disrupt our lives as we began the first day of the new millennium.

However, nothing happened, and all our systems kept on running as intended.

Dual-use goods are defined as goods, equipment, technology, and knowledge that may have either civilian or military use or may contribute to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

As part of their global strategy, most countries have regulations in place to control the export of dual-use goods. National authorities issue the lists of products for which they want to control the exports and for which a license is required.