U.S. Officially Blasts China's Shipbuilding Takeover Scheme – Tariffs Next?

2026-19399, Fiscal Year 2027 Tariff-Rate Quota Allocations for Raw Cane Sugar

The U.S. Trade Representative is setting the 2027 sugar import limits, giving specific amounts to countries like Argentina and Australia. This update adds nearly 56,000 metric tons of raw cane sugar to the existing quotas, effective September 23, 2026. Importers and sugar suppliers should watch these changes as they impact how much sugar can enter the U.S. at lower tariffs during the year starting October 1, 2026.

2026-17925, Notice of Conforming Amendments to Product Exclusions: China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation

Effective July 1, 2026, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) implemented certain changes to statistical reporting categories in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). As a result of these changes, USTR is making conforming amendments to four product exclusions associated with the Section 301 investigation of China Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation.

2026-15181, Notice of Actions in Section 301 Investigations of Acts, Policies, and Practices of Various Economies Related to the Failure of Each Economy To Impose and Effectively Enforce a Prohibition on the Importation of Goods Produced With Forced Labor

The United States Trade Representative (Trade Representative) has determined under Section 301(b) and Section 304(a) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (Trade Act), that in each of 60 investigations, certain of the acts, policies, and practices of the economy at issue are actionable and that action by the United States is appropriate. In accordance with the specific direction of the President, the Trade Representative is taking actions in each of these investigations by imposing tariffs on all products of the investigated economy, with certain exemptions as provided in Annexes I and II to this notice (Notice). Consistent with the specific direction of the President, for an economy that imposes a forced labor import prohibition, has committed to impose and enforce such a prohibition through an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), or has imposed a partial regime with the effect of preventing the importation of certain forced labor goods, the Trade Representative has determined 10 percent is the appropriate rate of Section 301 duties, with specific economies subject to a 10 percent rate net of a product's most-favored-nation (MFN) duty. For every other economy, and in accordance with the specific direction of the President, the Trade Representative has determined 12.5 percent is the appropriate rate of Section 301 duty, with specific economies subject to a 12.5 percent rate net of a product's MFN duty. The Trade Representative has also determined, consistent with the specific direction of the President, to establish, when feasible, tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) for Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia, based on each economy's importation of U.S. inputs, to encourage the importation by each of these economies of U.S. cotton and textile goods, in order to reduce reliance on inputs from other sources that are more likely to contain forced labor inputs.

2026-15050, Fiscal Year 2027 Tariff-Rate Quota Allocations for Raw Cane Sugar, Refined Sugar, and Sugar-Containing Products

The U.S. Trade Representative is setting the sugar import limits for Fiscal Year 2027, from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027. This affects countries exporting raw cane sugar, refined sugar, and sugar-containing products to the U.S., with specific amounts allocated to each. These changes start July 24, 2026, and help keep sugar imports fair and predictable while following international trade rules.

2026-14542, Notice of Action: Brazil's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Digital Trade and Electronic Payment Services; Unfair, Preferential Tariffs; Anti-Corruption Enforcement; Intellectual Property Protection; Ethanol Market Access; and Illegal Deforestation

The U.S. is slapping a 25% tariff on many Brazilian imports starting July 22, 2026, because Brazil’s rules on digital trade, tariffs, anti-corruption, intellectual property, ethanol access, and deforestation aren’t playing fair. This move affects businesses importing from Brazil and aims to push Brazil toward fairer trade and better environmental practices. Some products get a pass, but most will feel the pinch at the checkout.

2026-13177, Request for Comments and Notice of Public Hearing Concerning the Annual Review of Country Eligibility for Benefits Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act for Calendar Year 2027

The U.S. Trade Representative is reviewing which sub-Saharan African countries can get special trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for 2027. They want your thoughts and will hold a public hearing in July 2026 to decide who stays on the list. This affects African countries’ access to U.S. markets and could impact trade and money flow next year.

Previous: 2025-01537, Xubex Community Pharmacy; Decision and Order

Xubex Community Pharmacy in Florida lost its DEA registration because it was seen as a danger to public health. The pharmacy didn’t ask for a hearing to defend itself, so the suspension became final. This means Xubex can’t legally handle controlled substances anymore, effective immediately, impacting their business and customers.

Next: 2025-01542, Notice of Lodging of Proposed First Modification to Consent Decree Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act

The Department of Justice is updating a 2012 agreement with Bradley Mining and the Elem Tribe to change how a trust manages land near the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine in California. The update adjusts money and trustee pay to keep the land cared for and moves some land parcels to the U.S. to benefit the Elem Tribe. People have 30 days from January 23, 2025, to share their thoughts on these changes.