U.S. Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Archives - Page 14 of 28

Proposed 25% Tariffs on Section 301 Digital Service Taxes – Comment Now

Background on Section 301 Digital Service Taxes

In 2020, the United States Trade Representative (“USTR”) initiated Section 301 investigations with respect to certain Digital Service Taxes (“DSTs”) being adopted or under consideration by a number of countries. DSTs are taxes on revenues that certain companies generate from providing certain digital services to users in those jurisdictions. According to USTR, available evidence suggests that DSTs are expected to target large, U.S.-based technology companies.

Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974 authorizes the President to take all appropriate action including tariff-based and non-tariff-based retaliation to obtain the removal of any act, policy, or practice of a foreign government that violates an international trade agreement or is unjustified, unreasonable, or discriminatory, and that burdens or restricts U.S. commerce.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2022-07-08T09:21:02-04:00April 1, 2021|Enforcement, Import, International Trade, Investigation, Trade Policy, U.S. Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)|0 Comments

Hong Kong’s Initiates Dispute Regarding U.S.-Origin Marking Requirement

Co-Authored by Sharath Patil

What Happened

On October 30, 2021, Hong Kong, China requested consultations with the United States regarding U.S. measures affecting origin markings on goods imported from Hong Kong to the United States. On November 24, 2020, the United States and Hong Kong held consultations on the matter. On January 14, 2021, Hong Kong requested the World Trade Organization (“WTO”) to establish a dispute settlement panel. In response, the WTO established a dispute settlement panel on February 22, 2021.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2022-07-08T09:14:36-04:00March 12, 2021|China, China Trade War, Customs Expert, Enforcement, Export, International Business, International Law, International Trade|1 Comment

OFAC Issues Clarifying Guidance on Communist Chinese Military Companies Sanctions

Background on EO 13959

On November 12, 2020, President Trump issued Executive Order 13959 (“EO 13959”), Addressing the Threat from Securities Investments that Finance Communist Chinese Military Companies. EO 13959 prohibits U.S. investors from purchasing or investing in securities of companies identified by the U.S. government as Communist Chinese military companies (“CCMCs”), a designation determined by the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Since former President Trump signed EO 13959, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) has issued clarifying guidance and general licenses on this matter.

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By Jennifer Diaz|2022-07-08T09:13:19-04:00March 11, 2021|Best Practices, China, China Trade War, Enforcement, Expert, Import Alert, International Business, International Law, International Trade, U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)|4 Comments

Building a Strong Export Compliance Plan

Co-Authored by Sharath Patil

Exporting is a Privilege, Not a Right

Over 95% of the world’s consumers are outside of the United States. Opportunities abound for U.S. companies that export. However, exporting is a privilege and not a right. U.S. exporters have an important responsibility to adhere to U.S. export control laws, including the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”), the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) sanctions laws, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”). Violations of export control laws carry hefty civil and criminal penalties. Exporters can pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in penalties, lose export privileges, and even be imprisoned for violations of U.S. export control laws.

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