On March 22, 2018, the House of Representatives approved “The Consolidated Appropriations Act-2018” (the “Act”), which includes a renewal of Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) through December 31, 2020.

The City of San Francisco became the first major American metropolitan city to restrict the commercial trade of fur products.

Today the Department of Commerce (DOC) issued new regulations on the requirements for submitting exclusion requests from the upcoming Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum products. The tariffs of 25% ad valorem on steel and 10% ad valorem on aluminum take effect later this week for all entries for consumption on or after March 23, 2018. Products of Canada and Mexico are currently exempt.

President Trump has indicated that he intends to proceed with imposing increased tariffs on certain imported steel and aluminum products, which could take effect as early as 15 days after the President makes a formal decision. The new tariffs will be based upon the recommendations contained in the Department of Commerce’s (“DOC”) reports on the impact of steel and aluminum imports on national security pursuant to the DOC’s self-initiated investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. The Reports were issued on January 11 for steel and January 17 for aluminum products. In the reports, the DOC recommended various actions to reduce the level of imports of these products including import quotas and/or increased tariffs (see below).

I. Effective Period: February 7, 2018 – February 7, 2021.

II. In-Scope Products:

A. washers provided for in subheadings 8450.11.00 and 8450.20.00;

B. all cabinets, or portions thereof, designed for use in washers, and all assembled baskets designed for use in washers that incorporate, at a minimum, a side wrapper, a base, and a drive hub, provided for in subheading 8450.90.60;

C. all assembled tubs designed for use in washers that incorporate, at a minimum, a tub and a seal, provided for in subheading 8450.90.20; and

D. any combination of the foregoing parts or subassemblies, provided for in subheadings 8450.90.20 or 8450.90.60.

I. Effective Period: February 7, 2018 – February 6, 2022.