Yesterday, our Beau Jackson, Robert Stang and Linda Tiller joined manufacturers, distributors and service providers in Kansas City for a discussion about the impact of tariffs on the business community. This insightful program included economic, industry and legal perspectives on current trade conditions and the various implications of recently-imposed tariffs. Pictured at right, Beau
China
November Trade Law Newsletter
Husch Blackwell announces its November Trade Law Newsletter on key issues and announcements related to International Trade and Supply Chain.
October Trade Newsletter
Husch Blackwell announces its monthly trade update on key issues and announcements related to International Trade and Supply Chain.
Petition Summary: Large Diameter Welded Pipe from Canada, Greece, India, China, Korea, and Turkey
On January 17, 2018, the American Line Pipe Producers Association filed a petition for the imposition of antidumping and countervailing duties on imports of Large Diameter Welded Pipe from Canada, Greece, India, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, and the Republic of Turkey.
Petition Summary: Stainless Steel Flanges From China And India
On August 16, 2017, the Coalition of American Flange Producers, composed of Core Pipe Products, Inc. and Maass Flange Corporation, filed a petition for the imposition of antidumping duties and countervailing duties on imports of Stainless Steel Flanges from the People’s Republic of China and India.
Petition Summary: Carton-Closing Staples From China
On March 31, 2017, Petitioners North American Steel & Wire, Inc./ISM Enterprises filed a petition for the imposition of antidumping duties on imports of Carton-Closing Staples from the People’s Republic of China.
SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION
The scope of this investigation is carton-closing staples. Carton-closing staples are fastening devices used to secure or close the flaps of corrugated and solid paperboard cartons and boxes. Carton-closing staples are manufactured from steel wire, and commonly have a copper-coating or a zinc (galvanized) coating. Carton-closing staples manufactured from stainless steel wire are also covered.
Classic Catch 22? Dilemma of Foreign Companies Faced With Comply with US Subpoena and Possible Foreign Sanctions or Violate Subpoena and Possible Domestic Sanctions
On Wednesday, Judge Richard Sullivan of the Southern District of New York relieved the Bank of China from an order issuing $50,000 of daily fines for failing to comply with two subpoenas for information on account holders accused of selling goods counterfeit “Gucci” goods. The matter provides an interesting case study of at least one dilemma facing foreign companies doing business in the United States – whether to comply with a US-issued subpoena knowing that compliance would break foreign law.
Formaldehyde Issues Regarding Wood Products Put Companies at Risk
On Sunday, March 1, 2015, CBS newsmagazine “60 Minutes” ran a lengthy piece reported by Anderson Cooper regarding accusations that Lumber Liquidators imported laminated flooring products that did not meet the standards set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for levels of formaldehyde. The focus of the story was on Lumber Liquidators, but the issue is likely to affect almost every importer of flooring and other wood products from China.
During the segment, Cooper referenced various lawsuits that are pending against Lumber Liquidators alleging that the company failed to meet CARB standards in California for formaldehyde. Cooper interviewed the CEO of Lumber Liquidators, Robert Lynch. Lynch said the company has a good system in place and checks carefully to make sure that CARB standards are met.
After making this statement, Lynch was shown a video interview of the plant manager of a Chinese plant that manufactures products for Lumber Liquidators. In the video, the plant manager plainly states that the flooring did not meet CARB standards. The journalist narrating the video adds that visits made to two other plants that manufacture flooring for the company revealed that the company’s flooring failed to meet the standards.
Should Your Company Look at Reshoring its Operations?
There was a time when the decision to offshore manufacturing operations to an emerging market was an easy business decision. However, the past decade has many companies questioning that business model. Rising labor costs, uncertain supply chains, labor unrest and the costly and lengthy delivery time for manufactured goods coming from Asia has exponentially increased the cost to offshore manufacturing.