Thursday, January 30, 2020

DHS Releases Report on Combatting Trafficking in Counterfeit and Pirated Goods

On January 24, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released its first report pursuant to President Trump’s April 3, 2019, Memorandum on Combatting Trafficking in Counterfeit and Pirated Goods. The first-ever report outlines a series of recommendations and actions that can be taken by both the federal government and industry partners to combat this illicit trade epidemic.

According to the report apparel and other types of accessories, along with footwear, top the list at 18 percent and 14 percent of seizures, respectively.

The full set of recommendations can be found here.

CE HSI, CBP operation seizes record-breaking $123 million of fake apparel and other sports merchandise

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) announced Thursday the seizure of more than 176,000 counterfeit sports-related items, including articles of apparel, worth an estimated $123 million manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), through a collaborative enforcement operation targeting international shipments of counterfeit merchandise into the United States.

Read more HERE.

Army Helmet Chinstrap Contract Awarded

Lions Services Inc., Charlotte, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $10,468,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for advanced combat helmet chinstraps. This is a one-year base contract with two one-year options periods. Location of performance is North Carolina, with a Jan. 28, 2021, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-20-D-B082).

Thursday, January 23, 2020

ICE HSI seizes more than 700 counterfeit items day of National Championship game

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) seized more than 700 counterfeit sports-related items worth an estimated $300,000 during a joint anti-counterfeiting operation Monday in downtown New Orleans the day of the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Read more HERE.

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Federal Prison Industries Awarded Army and Air Force Trouser Contract

Federal Prison Industries Inc., Washington, District of Columbia, has been awarded a maximum $24,465,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for trousers. This is a one-year base contract with four one-year option periods. Locations of performance are District of Columbia, Texas, Alabama and Mississippi, with a Sept. 30, 2021, performance completion date. Using customers are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital fund. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-20-D-F056).

CPSC Scheduled to Meet with American Apparel and Footwear Association to Discuss Counterfeits

Commissioner Kaye and his staff will be meeting with representatives of AAFA to discuss third party marketplaces and counterfeit products. Participants will include Steve Lamar, Christina Mitropoulos, Kristen Kern, and Nate Herman. The meeting will be held on Friday, January 24, 2020, from 10 am – 11 am, in room 722 of CPSC Headquarters, Bethesda Towers. The meeting was requested by Kristen Kern. For additional information contact Jana Fong Swamidoss 301-504-788.

Consumer Product Safety Commissioner Feldman and staff will be meeting with representatives of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) regarding counterfeits and the liability of e-commerce platforms relating to the safety of products they sell. Participants will include AAFA representatives: Kristen Kern, Christina Mitropoulos, and Nate Herman. The meeting will be held on Friday, January 24, 2020, from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, in room 723 of CPSC Headquarters, Bethesda Towers. The meeting was requested by Kristen Kern. For additional information contact Teddy Tanzer at 301-504-7300.

China 301 Tarif Update

On January 22, 2020, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative published in the Federal Register (85 FR 3741) Notice of Modification of Section 301 Action: China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation

For many apparel articles on Section 301 List 4A an additional tariff of 15% on Chinese goods was imposed on September 1, 2019. The recent China deal will reduce that to 7.5% starting February 14, 2020.

This "Phase One" deal will not affect the 25% Section 301 tariffs imposed in 2018.

Monday, January 20, 2020

Pendleton Woolen Mills Announces Formation of Outerwear Division

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Pendleton Woolen Mills, the lifestyle brand with roots as a Pacific Northwest woolen manufacturer since 1863, announced that as of January 1, 2020, it has successfully re-acquired its outerwear license from Item House Inc. and has retained the team that has helped elevate Pendleton's outerwear line. This transaction is the culmination of a long and successful partnership for two Pacific Northwest companies. Pendleton is focused on leveraging the technical fabric and outerwear expertise of Item House to expand on Pendleton's history of innovation in fabric and apparel suited for the outdoors.

Item House has been a licensee of Pendleton's since 1999. The core Item House team will remain in Tacoma, Washington as a Pendleton Woolen Mills satellite office.

"We are very excited to continue the outerwear innovation and growth we have witnessed throughout our partnership with Item House," said John Bishop, president and chief executive officer of Pendleton. "This is an investment in an important product category. We're looking forward to leveraging the expertise that our new team members have in technical fabrics and sourcing across other Pendleton lines. Our teams have been working together for years and our cultures mesh nicely."

"We are thrilled to see Pendleton continue to build on the outerwear momentum and take the offering to an even higher level," said Greg Davis, president of Item House. "Since our founding in 1956, Item House has been creating outerwear with a focus on quality, design and trends, which is aligned with Pendleton's history and vision."

The re-acquisition is an expansion of the iconic apparel and outerwear that Pendleton has been creating since the early 1900's. The transition will be seamless and is effective with the fall 2020 product line. The fall line has been a joint development and will feature a full range of outerwear for men and women.

Friday, January 17, 2020

Army and Air Force Apparel Contract Awarded

Carter Enterprises, Brooklyn, New York, has been awarded a maximum $21,105,765 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity contract for coats and trousers. This was a competitive acquisition with six responses received. This is a one-year base contract with three one-year option periods. Location of performance is New York, with a Jan. 15, 2021, performance completion date. Using military services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-20-D-1206). NAVY

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Monday, January 20th, U.S. government offices, and much of private business other than retail, will close in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

When President Ronald Reagan, on November 2, 1983, signed into law the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday he reminded his listeners that—

Martin Luther King was born in 1929 in an America where, because of the color of their skin, nearly one in ten lived lives that were separate and unequal…taught in segregated schools…could find only poor jobs, toiling for low wages…refused entry into hotels and restaurants, made to use separate facilities. In a nation that proclaimed liberty and justice for all, too many black Americans were living with neither.

If we consider the time from the arrival of the first slaves in the Virginia Colony in 1619 to the achievement of full civil rights for all African-Americans in every one of the 50 states in the 1960s, it was a very long struggle to achieve full civil equality. The modern African-American Civil Rights Movement that Dr. King was so important a leader in, on the other hand, was, for a major societal and legal change, relatively swift. It is generally considered to occupy the period from 1955 (Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott) to 1968 (King assassination and the Poor People's March). To those in the struggle it was long. But looking back, from 1955 to 1983, not quite 30 years, is, roughly, a generation. In one generation we advanced from a nation that tolerated legal discrimination against part of our citizenry based on the color of their skin, to a nation in which such as thing is not only forbidden, but absolutely unthinkable. It was Dr. King, more than any other single leader in the civil rights movement, who, with his insistence on non-violence, and his prophet-like call to the conscience of White American, who brought about such a marvelous and much needed change. That is why he is up there with Columbus and Washington as one of just three men who so influenced our nation that we honor them with a federal holiday.

President Reagan went on to remark that "Dr. King had awakened something strong and true, a sense that true justice must be colorblind." And Mr. Reagan pointed to both the progress made—and yet to be made—in the struggle for an America that lives up to her noble sentiment that all men are created equal, citing the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965. Reagan, as he so often did, then called on Americans to embrace and enlarge upon their better nature, and exhorted his listeners—

But most important, there was not just a change of law; there was a change of heart. The conscience of America had been touched. Across the land, people had begun to treat each other not as blacks and whites, but as fellow Americans.

Traces of bigotry still mar America. So, each year on Martin Luther King Day, let us not only recall Dr. King, but rededicate ourselves to the Commandments he believed in and sought to live every day: Thou shall love thy God with all thy heart, and thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. And I just have to believe that all of us —- if all of us, young and old, Republicans and Democrats, do all we can to live up to those Commandments, then we will see the day when Dr. King's dream comes true.

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Wool Apparel Manufacturers Trust Fund Update

The Agriculture Wool Apparel Manufacturers Trust Fund was authorized under Section 12315 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the 2014 Farm Bill) and reauthorized under Section 12603 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill) to reduce the economic injury to domestic manufacturers resulting from tariffs on wool fabric that are higher than tariffs on certain apparel articles made of wool fabric. The Agriculture Wool Trust is a mechanism for four types of annual payments:

  • Payments to Manufacturers of Certain Worsted Wool Fabrics
  • Payments Under the Monetization of the Wool Tariff Rate Quota
  • Wool Yarn, Wool Fiber, and Wool Top Duty Compensation Payments
  • Refund of Duties Paid on Imports of Certain Wool Products

Upcoming Changes to Tariff Classification will Affect Glass Fiber, Several Other Commodities

The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System generally referred to as "Harmonized System" or simply "HS" is a multipurpose international product nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization ("WCO").

It comprises about 5,000 commodity groups; each identified by a six digit code (subheadings), arranged under four digit in a legal and logical structure and is supported by well-defined rules to achieve uniform classification. The system is used by more than 200 countries and economies as a basis for their Customs tariffs and for the collection of international trade statistics. Over 98% of the merchandise in international trade is classified in terms of the HS. The HS is modified every five years.

HS 2022, which is the seventh edition of the Harmonized System (HS) nomenclature used for the uniform classification of goods traded internationally all over the world, has been accepted by the all Contracting Parties to the Harmonized System Convention. It shall come into force on 1 January 2022.

The HS serves as the basis for Customs tariffs and for the compilation of international trade statistics in 211 economies (of which 158 are Contracting Parties to the HS Convention). The new HS2022 edition makes some major changes to the Harmonized System with a total of 351 sets of amendments covering a wide range of goods moving across borders. Here are some of the highlights:

Adaption to current trade through the recognition of new product streams and addressing environmental and social issues of global concern are the major features of the HS 2022 amendments.

Visibility will be introduced to a number of high profile product streams in the 2022 Edition to recognise the changing trade patterns. Electrical and electronic waste, commonly referred to as e-waste, is one example of a product class which presents significant policy concerns as well as a high value of trade, hence HS 2022 includes specific provisions for its classification to assist countries in their work under the Basel Convention. New provisions for novel tobacco and nicotine based products resulted from the difficulties of the classification of these products, lack of visibility in trade statistics and the very high monetary value of this trade. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly referred to as drones, also gain their own specific provisions to simplify the classification of these aircraft. Smartphones will gain their own subheading and Note, which will also clarify and confirm the current heading classification of these multifunctional devices.

Major reconfigurations have been undertaken for the subheadings of heading 70.19 for glass fibres and articles thereof and for heading 84.62 for metal forming machinery. These changes recognize that the current subheadings do not adequately represent the technological advances in these sectors, leaving a lack of trade statistics important to the industries and potential classification difficulties.

One area which is a focus for the future is the classification of multi-purpose intermediate assemblies. However, one very important example of such a product has already been addressed in HS 2022. Flat panel display modules will be classified as a product in their own right which will simplify classification of these modules by removing the need to identify final use. Health and safety has also featured in the changes. The recognition of the dangers of delays in the deployment of tools for the rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases in outbreaks has led to changes to the provisions for such diagnostic kits to simplify classification. New provisions for placebos and clinical trial kits for medical research to enable classification without information on the ingredients in a placebos will assist in facilitating cross-border medical research. Cell cultures and cell therapy are among the product classes that have gained new and specific provisions. On a human security level, a number of new provisions specifically provide for various dual use items. These range from toxins to laboratory equipment.

Protection of society and the fight against terrorism are increasingly important roles for Customs. Many new subheadings have been created for dual use goods that could be diverted for unauthorized use, such as radioactive materials and biological safety cabinets, as well as for items required for the construction of improvised explosive devices, such as detonators.

Goods specifically controlled under various Conventions have also been updated. The HS 2022 Edition introduces new subheadings for specific chemicals controlled under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), for certain hazardous chemicals controlled under the Rotterdam Convention and for certain persistent organic pollutants (POPs) controlled under the Stockholm Convention. Furthermore, at the request of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), new subheadings have been introduced for the monitoring and control of fentanyls and their derivatives as well as two fentanyl precursors. Major changes, including new heading Note 4 to Section VI and new heading 38.27, have been introduced for gases controlled under the Kigali Amendment of the Montreal Protocol.

The changes are not confined to creating new specific provisions for various goods. The amendments also include clarification of texts to ensure uniform application of the nomenclature. For example, there are changes for the clarification and alignment between French and English of the appropriate way to measure wood in the rough for the purposes of subheadings under heading 44.03.

CPSC to Attend Tent Flammability Meeting

On January 30, 2020, Allyson Tenney, Consumer Product Safety Commission Directorate for Laboratory Sciences, is scheduled to attend ASTM International F08.22-Camping Softgoods and Tent Flammability Task Group Meeting at the Embassy Suites, Denver Downtown Convention Center in Denver, Colorado. For more information contact Allyson Tenney at atenney@cpsc.gov or 301-987-2769 or ASTM International at www.astm.org.

Knee and Elbow Pad Contract Awarded

Alamo Strategic Manufacturing, San Antonio, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $8,625,000 modification (P00005) exercising the first one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-19-D-1122) with two one-year option periods for knee and elbow pads. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity contract. Locations of performance are Texas, Puerto Rico and Massachusetts, with a Jan. 30, 2021, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

FTC Publishes Inflation-Adjusted Fines for Violations of the Textile and Wool Acts

On January 14, 2020, the Federal Trade Commission published in the Federal Register (85 FR 2014) Adjustments to Civil Penalty Amounts

The Federal Trade Commission ("FTC" or "Commission") is implementing adjustments to the civil penalty amounts within its jurisdiction to account for inflation, as required by law.

The following adjusted amounts will take effect on January 14, 2020:

  • Section 5(l) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 45(l) (unfair or deceptive acts or practices)--Increase from $42,530 to $43,280;
  • Section 5(m)(1)(A) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 45(m)(1)(A) (unfair or deceptive acts or practices)--Increase from $42,530 to $43,280;
  • Section 5(m)(1)(B) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 45(m)(1)(B) (unfair or deceptive acts or practices)--Increase from $42,530 to $43,280;
  • Section 10 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 50 (failure to file required reports)--Increase from $559 to $569;
  • Section 6(b) of the Wool Products Labeling Act, 15 U.S.C. 68d(b) (failure by wool manufacturers to maintain required records)--Increase from $559 to $569;
  • Section 3(e) of the Fur Products Labeling Act, 15 U.S.C. 69a(e) (failure to maintain required records regarding fur products)--Increase from $559 to $569;
  • Section 8(d)(2) of the Fur Products Labeling Act, 15 U.S.C. 69f(d)(2) (failure to maintain required records regarding fur products)--Increase from $559 to $569;

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Army and Air Force Clothing Contract Awarded

Puerto Rico Apparel Manufacturing (PRAMA) Corp., Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, has been awarded a maximum $11,856,002 modification (P00012) exercising the first one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-19-D-1127) with four one-year option periods for various types of coats and trousers. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Location of performance is Puerto Rico, with a Jan. 31, 2021, performance completion date. Using military services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Friday, January 10, 2020

Comment Period Open for MTB Petitions

On January 10, 2020, the U.S. International Trade Commission published in the Federal Register (85 FR 1327) American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2016: Notice of Publication of Petitions For Duty Suspensions and Reductions and Related Disclosure Forms, and Notice of Request for Comments on Those Petitions and Disclosure Forms.

As required by section 3(b)(3) of the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2016, the Commission has published on its website at https://mtbps.usitc.gov the petitions for duty suspensions and reductions and related disclosure forms (hereafter collectively referred to as ``petitions'') that were filed according to requirements. The Commission is now requesting that members of the public submit comments to the Commission on those petitions by the close of business on February 24, 2020. All comments must be submitted via the Commission's designated secure web portal. The Commission will not accept comments submitted in paper or in any other form or format.

January 10, 2020: Date of publication on the Commission's website of petitions for duty suspensions and reductions, and opening date for filing comments concerning those petitions.

February 24, 2020, 5:15 p.m., EST: Closing date and time for the submission of comments on the petitions.

Polyester Textured Yarn From the People's Republic of China and India: Countervailing Duty Orders

On January 10, 2020, the Department of Commerce published in the Federal Register (85 FR 1301) Polyester Textured Yarn From the People's Republic of China and India: Countervailing Duty Orders.

-------------------------------------------------------
                                           Subsidy rate
   Country         Company                  (percent)
-------------------------------------------------------
China...... Fujian Billion                     
             Polymerization Fiber
             Technology Industrial Co., Ltd.   32.18
            Suzhou Shenghong Fiber Co., Ltd.  473.09
            Suzhou Shenghong Garmant          
                 Development Co.              472.51
            All Others.................        32.18
India...... JBF Industries Limited.....        21.83
            Reliance Industries Limited         4.29
            All Others.................         4.65
-------------------------------------------------------

Polyester Textured Yarn From India and the People's Republic of China: Amended Final Antidumping Duty Determination for India and Antidumping Duty Orders

On January 10, 2020, the Department of Commerce published in the Federal Register (85 FR 1298) Polyester Textured Yarn From India and the People's Republic of China: Amended Final Antidumping Duty Determination for India and Antidumping Duty Orders.

                         India
----------------------------------------------------------
                                Estimated    Cash deposit
                                weighted-   rate (adjusted
                                average      for export
      Exporter or producer      dumping      subsidy
                                margin       offset(s))
                               (percent)     (percent)
----------------------------------------------------------
JBF Industries Limited......... 47.98          43.85
Reliance Industries Limited.... 17.98          13.85
All Others..................... 17.98          13.50
----------------------------------------------------------

                         China
----------------------------------------------------------
                                Estimated    Cash deposit
                                weighted-   rate (adjusted
                                average      for export
      Exporter or producer      dumping      subsidy
                                margin       offset(s))
                               (percent)     (percent)
----------------------------------------------------------
Jiangsu Hengli Chemical Fiber.. 76.07        65.39
China-Wide Entity.............. 77.15        66.47
----------------------------------------------------------

Thursday, January 9, 2020

MTB Update

The petition filing phase of the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) petition process is over. Here’s what’s next:
  • The USITC received more than 4,000 petitions seeking temporary duty suspensions or reductions during the recent filing phase. USITC staff is reviewing the filings and posting petitions that meet statutory filing criteria on a rolling basis on the MTB Petition System (MTBPS) portal, here.
  • The next step in the MTB process is the public comment phase, during which interested parties and the public can review all posted petitions and file comments for Commission consideration.
  • The public comment period will open on January 10, 2020, and run through February 24, 2020. All comments must be filed through the MTBPS portal during this 45-day comment period.
  • Comments will be visible to the public on the MTB portal.

Defense Logistics Agency Fiscal Year 2019 Annual History

Thanks to Steve Warner at the BeaverLake6 Report for passing on the Defense Logistics Agency Fiscal Year 2019 Annual History report today. There's a section on Clothing & Textiles that gives the highlights of the year. It begins on page 51 of the 450 page report and include the following items:

(a) In October 2019, the Clothing and Textile supply chain provided over 17,000 Operational Camouflage Pattern utility uniforms to Airmen at Aviano Air Base, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina and MacDill AFB, Florida.

(b) The new Berry Amendment compliant Athletic Footwear Shoes were rolled out to Air Force & Coast Guard recruits on January 1st and to Navy recruits on April 1st.

(c) Clothing and Textiles’ special measurements team created a custom Marine Corps dress coat for retired Marine Sergeant Major John L. Canley, a Medal of Honor recipient. Canley received the Medal of Honor from President Donald Trump on October 17, 2018, for his heroic actions in Vietnam in 1968.

(d) The new female Marine dress uniforms were provided to over 3,000 Female Recruits at Marine Corp Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina during the 1st and 2nd quarter of 2019. The first class of approximately 129 recruits were fitted and tailored for their November graduation.

(e) Supply chain leaders and the Troop Support commander hosted industry representatives from the National Council of Textile Organizations, Warrior Protection & Readiness Coalition and the American Apparel and Footwear Association to encourage open and candid dialogue about innovative ways to provide support to the warfighter.

(f) A contract was awarded valued at $15.5M for 216,240 Navy Coveralls, Utility, Improved Flame Resistant Version (IFRV), Class I, Type II, Dark Blue 3392. This item is the supply chains highest backordered item and the exigency buy was required to help meet the Navy’s revised forecasted demand of 33K per month, which was more than double their initial forecasted demand of 15K per month.

(g) Clothing and Textile leaders observed the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) return on March 6 for Army Staff Sergeant Steven McQueen, whose helmet was struck in the back by a 7.62x54mm Russian round at a distance of about 20 feet while deployed to Afghanistan.

(h) Joseph Szwec, a contracting officer in the Clothing and Textile supply chain was selected to serve as the Deputy Commander for Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support Team-Kuwait beginning August 2019.

(i) In partnership with LMI, the Clothing and Textile supply chain conducted training on the new Supply Request Package (SRP) Tool designed under the Military Unique Sustainment Technology effort. The intent of the new tracking system is to extend SRP process visibility and traceability as we work to support our customers. The new workflow system went live March 1, 2019.

(j) The first article testing requirement for Leading Technology Composites (LTC) under its new long term contract for the Enhanced Side Ballistic Inserts (ESBI) was waived and first production lot authorized. The ESBI is a Personal Protection Equipment, Critical Safety Item that provides armor piercing rifle round protection for our ground troops. DLA holds the only contract in the DoD for ESBI.

(k) A contract awarded valued at $26,380 for max quantity 50,130. Marine Corps and Coast Guard Sweaters 2 March, as the Submarine Forces (SUBFOR) plans to bring back the old submarine sweater as a heritage item.

(l) Clothing and Textiles in coordination with Navy leadership and industry partners introduced two new Navy items in support of the Navy Recruit Issue Bag: Athletic Footwear and the Navy’s new Cold Weather Parka (CWP) which replaced the Navy Peacoat and All Weather Coat (AWC), April 1.

(m) Clothing and Textiles filled 185 orders in support of Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Passover, and Easter holidays in April. Orders consisted of 2,028 bottles of wine or grape juice, 274,000 pieces of palm, 434 Jewish ceremonial Seder kits and 65 ounces of ashes. C&T coordinated with other DLA MSCs, forward deployed personnel and vendors to ensure100 percent of the Holiday items ordered were delivered to destinations within and outside of the continental U.S. including Japan and Iraq.

(n) The first DLA contract supporting the Marines with its new load bearing pack system was awarded for a total dollar value of $37M for max quantity 385K. This first time indefinite quantity contract has a one year base ordering period with two one year options designed to provide sustained support for the Marines infantry load bearing needs for years to come.

(o) The C&T Product Specialists and Resolution Specialists have made substantial progress on closing Quality Notifications (QN) for suspended stock, supply discrepancies and product quality deficiencies. At the beginning of calendar year 2019, there were $1.96 million in QNs with suspended stock. As of the end of May, there are $698,000 for suspended stock, a 65% reduction. In addition, over 70% of all QNs are now closed with a positive impact on sales of $10.3 million to date.

(p) C&T responded to an urgent request for OCP uniform coats & trousers and tan t-shirts from the Navy Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center (ECRC) to outfit 25 Navy deployers within four days. Because the unit was not an authorized user of the uniform, the C&T Customer Account Specialist took immediate action to expeditiously address user authorization issues, input requisitions into the system, coordinate overnight shipment from the 3PL to complete the task one day ahead of schedule. The customer was very appreciative of the extra efforts to ensure they met their mission assignment.

(q) In partnership with industry, the box for the Medal of Freedom was recently re-designed, and the first shipment of the new boxes have been received. The original box was handpicked by Jacquelyn Kennedy, and had a mahogany finish with blue and white matting inside the box. Due to shortages of the wood used for the box, a re-design was necessary. The Institute of Heraldry worked with the Medal of Freedom vendor Ira Green to develop several prototypes. These prototypes were sent to the White House, and presented to First Lady Melania Trump for review and decision. After several revisions, the First Lady selected a final design. The new box has black matting which highlights the medal itself and make it “pop.”

Shifts in U.S. Merchandise Trade, 2018

The U.S. International Trade Commission has published its annual examination of trends in U.S. trade describing the global macroeconomic conditions for the year, as well as changes within 10 industry sectors and a number of possible reasons for these changes. The report also contains a "special topic" chapter, which details certain trade actions in 2018 and the trade shifts that occurred following these actions.

Contents

Part I: Introduction

Part II: Country Shifts

Part II provides interactive graphics for shifts in trade between the United States and five key trading partners:

The Commission selected Canada for the interactive graphics because it was the United States’ second-largest trading partner based on exports plus imports in 2018. Likewise, the Commission selected South Korea because it had the largest increase in its trade balance with the United States (exports minus imports). Finally, the Commission selected China, Mexico, and Japan because these countries registered the largest absolute or relative increase in U.S. exports or imports in 2018.

Part III: Sector Shifts

Part III analyzes shifts in trade for the following 10 industry sectors:

Part IV: Special Topic:

Changes to Country Eligibility for AGOA

On December 26, 2019, the President signed Proclamation 9974 To Take Certain Actions Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act and for Other Purposes.

Cameroon Central African Republic, The Gambia, and Niger are removed from the list of beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries.

Guinea-Bissau and Niger are added to the list of lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries, however Niger can enjoy this designation until they have established effective visa systems and related customs procedures.

Textile Articles on Latest List of China 301 Exclusions

On January 6, 2020, the Office of the United States Trade Representative published in the Federal Register (85 FR 549) Notice of Product Exclusions: China’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation.

The list includes 68 items of which ten are textile products:

(7) Woven fabric of 100 percent textured polyester filaments, dyed, weighing more than 170 g/m\2\, measuring not more than 310 cm in width (described in statistical reporting number 5407.52.2060)

(8) Woven fabric of synthetic filament yarn containing 85 percent or more by weight of textured polyester filaments, dyed, measuring 249 cm in width, weighing more than 170 g/m\2\ (described in statistical reporting number 5407.52.2060)

(9) Woven dupioni fabric wholly of non-textured dyed polyester filaments, weighing not more than 170 g/m\2\, measuring not more than 310 cm in width (described in statistical reporting number 5407.61.9930)

(10) Woven fabric wholly of polyester, dyed, not flat, containing non-textured polyester filaments, weighing not more than 170 g/m\2\, measuring not over 310 cm in width (described in statistical reporting number 5407.61.9930)

(11) Woven fabric wholly of polyester, dyed, containing non-textured polyester filaments, weighing more than 170 g/m\2\, measuring not over 310 cm in width (described in statistical reporting number 5407.61.9935)

(12) Woven fabric containing by weight 47 percent of nylon and 53 percent of polyester, dyed, containing textured filaments, weighing not more than 170 g/m\2\, measuring greater than 274 cm in width (described in statistical reporting number 5407.72.0015)

(13) Woven dyed fabrics wholly of spun polyester, weighing more than 240 g/m\2\ and measuring not more than 310 cm in width (described in statistical reporting number 5512.19.0090)

(14) Woven dyed 3-thread twill fabrics containing by weight 65 percent of polyester and 35 percent of cotton staple fibers, not napped, weighing more than 200 g/m\2\ and exceeding 310 cm in width (described in statistical reporting number 5514.22.0020)

(15) Storage containers of twisted paper rope, each measuring not less than 8 cm but not more than 39 cm in length, not less than 8 cm but not more than 39 cm in width and not less than 9 cm but not more than 57 cm in height (described in statistical reporting number 5609.00.4000)

(16) Woven dyed embroidery fabrics containing by weight 55 percent of polyester and 45 percent of nylon, weighing less than 115 g/m\2\ and measuring 289 cm in width (described in statistical reporting number 5810.92.9080)

Extension of Particular Exclusions Granted Under the March 2019 Product Exclusion Notice From the $34 Billion Action Pursuant to Section 301

On December, 2019, the Office of the United States Trade Representative published in the Federal Register (84 FR 72102) Request for Comments Concerning the Extension of Particular Exclusions Granted Under the March 2019 Product Exclusion Notice From the $34 Billion Action Pursuant to Section 301: China’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation.

Effective July 6, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed additional duties on goods of China with an annual trade value of approximately $34 billion as part of the action in the Section 301 investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. The U.S. Trade Representative initiated the exclusion process in July 2018 and granted multiple sets of exclusions. The second set of exclusions was granted in March 2019, and are scheduled to expire on March 25, 2020. The U.S. Trade Representative has decided to consider a possible extension for up to 12 months of particular exclusions granted in March 2019. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) invites public comment on whether to extend particular exclusions.

DATES: January 15, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. ET: The docket (USTR-2019-0024) will open for submitting comments on the possible extension of particular exclusions.

February 15, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET: To be assured of consideration, submit written comments by February 15, 2020.

CBP Announces 2020 Trade Symposium

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announce the 2020 Trade Symposium will be held March 10-11 in Anaheim, California.

ITC Determination in Polyester Yarn Dumping Case Filed by Unifi and Nan Ya

On January 9, 2020, the International Trade Commission published in the Federal Register (85 FR 1183) Polyester Textured Yarn From China and India [Investigation Nos. 701–TA–612–613 and 731–1429–1430 (Final)]

On the basis of the record developed in the subject investigations, the United States International Trade Commission (``Commission'') determines, pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930 (``the Act''), that an industry in the United States is materially injured by reason of imports of polyester textured yarn from China and India, provided for in subheadings 5402.33.3000 and 5402.33.6000 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, that have been found by the U.S. Department of Commerce (``Commerce'') to be sold in the United States at less than fair value (``LTFV''), and to be subsidized by the governments of China and India.

The Commission instituted these investigations effective October 18, 2018, following receipt of petitions filed with the Commission and Commerce by Unifi Manufacturing, Inc., Greensboro, North Carolina; and Nan Ya Plastics Corp. America, Lake City, South Carolina.