Search Results for keywords:"U.S. Trade Representative"

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has decided that Turkey's Digital Services Tax (DST) is unfair and discriminates against U.S. businesses, causing problems for U.S. trade. The tax targets companies based on digital services and revenue criteria, disadvantaging American companies. This conclusion came after an investigation and consultations with Turkey, during which public opinions and expert advice were considered. The USTR plans to take further actions under Section 301 of the Trade Act in response to these findings.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is seeking public comments on unfair trade practices by other countries. This initiative follows directives set out in the America First Trade Policy Presidential Memorandum and the Presidential Memorandum on Reciprocal Trade and Tariffs. Comments should specifically address non-reciprocal trade arrangements and the harm they cause to the U.S. The deadline for submitting comments is March 11, 2025, and submissions should explain the impact of these practices on U.S. interests, supported by quantified harm like opportunity costs.

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has announced a revision to the list of eligible countries for its Telecommunications and Electric Program purchases. Japan has been added to this list, and the update aligns with the November 2023 list issued by the U.S. Trade Representative. This list defines which countries can be treated similarly to U.S. products under the "Buy American" provision of the Rural Electrification Act. The new eligibility list is available through a specified USTR link, and further details can be obtained by contacting designated RUS officials.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice regarding Spain's Digital Services Tax (DST), which they believe is unfair and discriminatory against U.S. digital companies. The tax, which Spain enacted to collect fees on certain digital services, is seen as a burden on U.S. commerce and is actionable under Section 301 of the Trade Act. After an investigation and consultations with Spain, the USTR determined that Spain’s DST discriminates against specific U.S. companies and contradicts international tax principles. This ruling will lead to further proceedings to decide potential actions against Spain.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has announced the trade levels of sugar and syrup products from several countries, which affect their eligibility for duty-free entry under various trade agreements. For the 2025 calendar year, Chile, Morocco, the Dominican Republic, and Peru have negative trade surpluses, meaning their goods cannot enter the U.S. duty-free. Meanwhile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Colombia, and Panama have varying positive trade surpluses and can export limited quantities to the U.S. without tariffs, based on predetermined quotas.

The United States International Trade Commission has ended its investigation into the impact of the Canada-EU Trade Agreement on the U.S. lobster industry. This decision follows a letter from the U.S. Trade Representative revoking the request for the investigation, as the European Union recently removed tariffs on imported lobsters, which eliminated the need for such a report. The investigation was originally requested in July 2020, but officially terminated on December 23, 2020. The Commission will not be releasing a report on this matter.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative announced that the United Kingdom (UK) can continue exporting under the U.S. tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) designated for European Union (EU) member countries in 2021. This decision comes after the UK's departure from the EU, which was finalized on December 31, 2020. These quotas, described in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, specifically include certain quotas for dairy products. The U.S. Trade Representative can adjust these quotas, and the UK is allowed to designate importers for cheese and other products as it has in previous years.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative has determined that Austria's Digital Services Tax (DST) is unfair or discriminatory towards U.S. companies and negatively impacts U.S. commerce. The DST applies a 5% tax on certain large companies' digital advertising revenues within Austria. The U.S. Trade Representative found that the tax discriminates against American digital companies and contradicts principles of international taxation. As a result, they plan to take further actions under Section 301 of the Trade Act to address these issues.

The U.S. International Trade Commission has ended its investigation into the effects of trade on U.S. workers and underserved communities. Originally requested by the U.S. Trade Representative in January 2023, this investigation was terminated after the request was withdrawn on February 4, 2025. Consequently, the Commission will not produce the previously planned report titled "Distributional Effects of Trade and Trade Policy on U.S. Workers, 2026 Report." This decision was made under the authority granted by the President and in accordance with the Tariff Act of 1930.

The U.S. Trade Representative has concluded that Vietnam's actions and policies related to currency valuation are problematic for U.S. commerce. They determined that Vietnam's management of its currency, particularly through excessive foreign exchange market interventions, gives it an unfair advantage in international trade. These practices were found to be unreasonable, burden or restrict U.S. trade, and therefore can be addressed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The U.S. is considering further actions to address these issues.