Weekly Trade Briefing: Sept. 13 – 17, 2021

Trade Update • September 17, 2021

Aweekly roundup of news reports, government announcements, and other information about current and emerging developments in international trade and customs compliance.

Customs Memorandum D11-11-3 Updated

Canada Border Service Agency has updated Memorandum D11-11-3 to clarify that an advance ruling for tariff classification will be issued for goods that may be classified under tariff items 9897.00.00 (goods manufactured or produced wholly or in part by prison labour) or 9898.00.00 (firearms and prohibited weapons, devices, ammunition, etc.). Additionally, those having difficulty determining whether goods may be classified under 9899.00.00 (prohibited books or other media, obscene materials, etc.) are now advised to the Prohibited Importations Unit at Headquarters in Ottawa for an advance review.

USTR Seeking Input for 2022 Trade Barrier Report

USTR is inviting comments prior to October 26, to assist in identifying significant barriers to U.S. exports of goods and services, U.S. foreign direct investment, and the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights for inclusion in the upcoming 2022 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers. The USTR lists 14 categories of trade barriers on which it is seeking input such as import policies, technical barriers, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, government procurement restrictions, and so on. Added to the list of trade barriers this year is the failure by a government to eliminate forced or compulsory labor.

APHIS Now Requires Additional Declaration for Canadian Strawberry, Rasberry, Blackberry, and Rose Plants

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has amended the entry requirements for the importation of Fragaria spp., Rosa spp., and Rubus spp. plants produced in Canada to prevent the introduction of the strawberry blossom weevil (Anthonomus rubi) into the United States. Effective September 14, Canadian strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, and rose plants for planting must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration stating that they have been certified by the National Plant Protection Organization of Canada as having been grown in pest-free conditions.

China Formally Applies to Join CPTPP

China on Thursday formally applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, according to a statement by its Ministry of Commerce. Commerce Minister Wang Wentao submitted China’s application to join the free trade agreement in a letter to New Zealand’s trade minister, Damien O’Connor, the Chinese ministry said. When asked to comment, Reuters reports the State Department as saying the U.S. “would expect that China’s non-market trade practices and China’s use of economic coercion against other countries would factor into CPTPP parties’ evaluation of China as a potential candidate for accession.”

Where Canada’s Three Major Parties Stand on Trade

Bloomberg breaks down the party platforms ahead of Monday’s election, including where they stand on trade issues. The Conservatives say they will pursue a deal with Australia, New Zealand, and the UK that could include free trade and the flow of capital investment between the partners. The Liberals promise to launch a new Asia-Pacific strategy to “deepen diplomatic, economic, and defence partnerships in the region” and negotiate new bilateral trade agreements while expanding foreign investment promotion and protection agreements. The NDP says it supports fair trade that “broadens opportunity” in all parts of the country and vows to defend Canadian workers in trade negotiations, protect supply management and “do more to defend” Canadian workers and communities from unfair trading practices