Two Minutes in Trade

Don't be fooled! A new law will help protect brand IP and consumer safety.  Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

With the midterms behind us, action on the USTR's Section 301 structural excess capacity investigation could come within weeks. But affordability concerns, the fragile U.S.-China trade truce, and the Court of International Trade's skepticism of broad Section 301 tariffs may keep these tariffs at bay. 

Beyond Tariffs: Geopolitics is influencing trade. Listen to today's Two Minutes in Trade for more. 

Better late than never - but some advance notice would be nice. On the day of expiration, we learned that certain Section 301 tariffs on China were paused for 2 months, and the Vietnam action was also delayed. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

CBP has issued its rule for foreign importers of record, fashioned to boost enforcement. So, on which parties do the new requirements actually fall?

The Democrats won big in the House and Senate. The question is now: will this translate into changes in U.S. trade policy? 

From the ballot box the black box. Another agency -the FCC- flexes its muscles for radio frequency devices. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

AGOA-ing, Going, Gone. An unhappy new year for Rwanda and South Africa traders. Listen for more on Two Minutes In Trade. 

Halloween candy prices are rising as sugar, cocoa, packaging, and transportation costs increase, compounded by tariffs and trade uncertainty.  For more information, listen to today's Two Minutes in Trade. 

DNA meets DHS- a new supply chain test involves genomics from Xinjiang. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

Halloween is approaching, and importers are looking for IEEPA tariff refunds. But beware, they may come with a trick.

Plenty of agencies in the sea—food as Washington casts a wider net for U. S. Seafood. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

Tariffs, Tricks and a few Treats. Changes to the Canadian 338 tariffs are a grave matter. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

USTR has invited comments over the next week regarding its proposed two-month additional suspension of the Section 301 actions against China's dominance in the maritime and shipbuilding industry. Will the measures ever set sail?

Launch, linger, and repeat. Frameworks, agreements, MOUs - some finished, some not- are any enforced?  Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

A split is emerging in how best to address the Russia problem. While the U.S. Congress and the EU seem to favor confrontation, the Trump Administration is pursuing a strategy of engagement.

The Pentagon joins the trade parade. The Defense Policy Board, with a former USTR as chair, leads a no-notice meeting on aligning trade priorities with the Pentagon. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

The statutory elephant orders diesel. Waivers of Russian sanctions and OFAC general licenses don't trump the 2022 law. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade 

The FMC has proposed significant penalties against Spain, including vessel fees and potential restrictions on key imports, over Spain's denial of port access to certain U.S.-flagged ships.  By: Mark J. Segrist

The never ending metals renovation project. BIS finally defines US content for 232 tariffs. Listen for more on Two Minutes In Trade. 

The Trump Administration has looked to Russia for some relief from high fuel costs. But in so doing, they are running up against U.S. law and policy, which seek to deny Russia revenue from fuel sales.

CBAM, thank you, Ma'am!  USTR wants the tea on how the EU's new regs will negatively impact US companies. Listen for more on Two Minutes in Trade. 

The TRADE Act of 2026: Relief, Reshoring, and a Byrd in the hand. This bill may interest companies negatively impacted by the tariffs. Listen for more on Two Minutes In Trade. 

In addition to the new postal informal entry process requiring compliance on October 22, CBP is proposing major changes for informal entries, including de minimis shipments, valued under $2,500 or less. Here's what low value traders need to consider.