Here is a recap of the latest customs and international trade news: 

Administration 

  • President Trump threatened, via Truth Social, that he is increasing South Korean tariffs from 15% to 25% because that country’s legislature has not approved the trade deal that was announced over the summer. 
  • President Trump threatened Canada with 100% tariffs if Canada “makes a deal with China.”  

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 

  • According to a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), CBP did not fully follow through on addressing security incidents involving some participants in the agency’s Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program. 
  • CBP published a quick reference guide on submitting withhold release order and finding modification requests to the new forced labor portal. 
  • Upcoming CBP webinar: New World Screwworm (NWS) Impact to U.S. – February 3, 1:00 PM EST. Register here. 

Court of International Trade 

  • Importer Express Fasteners filed a lawsuit challenging the application of informal CBP guidance on Section 232 steel and aluminum content valuation, claiming CBP failed to follow required “notice and comment” rulemaking procedures.  
  • The CIT ruled that Nvidia Crypto Mining Chips are machine parts, and thus not eligible for an exclusion from Section 301 China tariffs. 

World Customs Organization (WCO) 

  • The WCO published amendments to the 2028 Harmonized System. The 2028 amendments, comprise 299 sets of amendments and will enter into force on January 1, 2028. 

United States Trade Representative (USTR) 

  • The U.S. Lumber Coalition sent a letter to USTR urging the agency to scrap the USMCA binational panel review system during the USMCA review process. The coalition argued that the system should be eliminated in light of Canada’s recent efforts to dramatically expand the power and authority of the panels. 
  • The Office of the USTR said that the U.S. and Mexico have agreed to begin formal discussions on possible structural and strategic reforms in USMCA Joint Review including stronger rules of origin for key industrial goods. 

Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) 

  • The FMC launched an investigation into possible non-compliance of the Shipping Act by ocean common carriers that may be unjustly and unreasonably restricting motor carriers and shippers in their choice of chassis providers. 
  • The FMC assessed a civil penalty of $22.67 million against Mediterranean Shipping Company for three types of Shipping Act violations. 

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) 

  • The CPSC is seeking comment on revised standards governing infant and cradle swings. Comments are due by February 12. 
  • The CPSC is seeking comment on revised standards governing portable hook-on chairs. Comments are due by February 12. 

Congress 

  • The likely government shutdown set to start on January 31 will impact some trade agencies. BIS, EPA, and USDA have already been funded. However, other agencies such as OFAC and the FDA would be impacted.  
  • The Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026 passed the House Transportation Committee. The bill would give the president the authority to prohibit passenger ships and cargo ships from calling on U.S. ports if they visited the former Vulcan Materials port in Mexico. 
  • House Representative Rick Allen of Georgia introduced a bill to pay forest landowners, timber harvesting businesses and timber hauling businesses for revenue loss. The bill proposes funding the payments through duties collected on Canadian softwood lumber.  

International News 

  • The leader of the EU trade committee said that the committee didn’t make a decision on resuming discussions about lowering tariffs on U.S. exports. The committee will meet again on February 4 to reassess. 

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