On Thursday, June 4, the Washington International Trade Association held a webinar on COVID-19 and USMCA: The Pandemic and Implementation of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The panelists discussed the entry into force of the USMCA on July 1. Topics included a period of penalty-free adjustment and transition for the automotive industry in preparation for implementation, the delays caused by Covid-19 … Read more
On Tuesday, May 19th the U.S. Chamber of Commerce held a webinar on Protecting Supply Chains During Coronavirus. The webinar featured a series of panelists discussing the future of supply chains, safeguarding medical supply chains, and DHS efforts to manage the crisis. The first panel featured representatives from the trade industry discussing methods for supporting … Read more
On July 1, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will enter into force. CBP recently announced the opening of a new USMCA Center to assist in implementation of the agreement. The center will allow CBP to communicate with the trade community at large, “including traders, brokers, freight forwarders and producers” on operational, legal, and other coordination … Read more
Air Cargo and the Facilitation of Essential Trade As the coronavirus outbreak continues, trade remains an essential activity. Air cargo plays an important role in the international trade of essential items such as medicine, medical equipment, and food. Prior to the outbreak, about 40% of annual global air cargo was transported via passenger aircraft. Due … Read more
Customs plays a key role in mitigating the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring the efficient and expeditious flow off essential goods such as medical equipment and food supplies across the border. On April 27, the International Chamber of Commerce and the World Customs Organization issued a joint statement calling for “a coordinated … Read more
On April 15, the Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations (COAC) held its quarterly meeting. Each subcommittee had the opportunity to present its recommendations to CBP. The Intelligent Enforcement Subcommittee began by sharing updates and recommendations on Intellectual Property Rights, counterfeit goods, and e-commerce. Additionally, the Forced Labor Working Group discussed proof of admissibility for forced … Read more
El 2020 será el peor año para el intercambio comercial internacional, en los 25 que tiene de existir la Organización Mundial del Comercio. En su informe anual, la institución multilateral señaló que la crisis ocasionada por el covid-19 podría ser un punto de quiebre para la producción globalizada. De acuerdo con la OMC, casi todas … Read more
As COVID-19 continues to spread, the secure, efficient trade of legitimate medical equipment and other essential goods becomes even more vital. CBP is working to facilitate trade and ensure that essential items continue to make their way across the border. A well-established customs broker in Laredo, Texas, said that “CBP has been pro-trade and understands … Read more
En días recientes, la imposición de barreras al intercambio de suministros médicos, por parte de más de cincuenta países, se ha convertido en una nueva amenaza para el comercio multilateral. Además, algunas naciones han denunciado prácticas desleales de oficiales y particulares para apropiarse de dispositivos de protección hospitalaria escasos a nivel global. De acuerdo con … Read more
On March 26, the Washington International Trade Association (WITA) and the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) held an online webinar on trade policy in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Panelists included: Wendy Cutler, vice president of ASPI and former negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Simon Evenett, Professor of International Trade … Read more