Uncle Sam Investigates Germany for Not Paying Enough for New Drugs

2026-20615, Request for Comments on the Effect of the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and the Proposals To Expand Coverage on U.S. Trade

The EU started charging importers for the carbon pollution in certain products like steel and aluminum on January 1, 2026. This affects U.S. producers, workers, and exporters who sell to the EU, especially in industries like cement and fertilizer. The U.S. government wants your thoughts by November 9, 2026, to help decide how to respond as the EU plans to add more products to this carbon tax system.

2026-20510, Continuation of Actions: China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation

The U.S. is keeping its trade actions against China’s unfair tech and innovation practices in place after reviewing them. American industries that benefit from these actions asked to continue them, so the rules won’t end on their 2026 anniversaries. These actions could still change, but for now, they protect U.S. businesses from unfair competition and help keep innovation fair.

2026-20511, Notice of Conforming Amendment to Product Exclusion: China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation

Starting July 1, 2026, the U.S. updated some product categories tied to tariffs on certain Chinese goods related to technology and innovation. This change means the U.S. Trade Representative is adjusting product exclusions to keep things fair and clear for businesses affected by these rules. Customs will soon share how to handle these updates at the border, so importers should stay tuned!

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.

Previous: 2026-12668, Test of the New Electronic Informal Entry Process for Mail

Starting September 22, 2026, U.S. Customs is testing a new electronic way to handle small packages coming through international mail. This new process, called Informal Mail Entry, affects anyone sending or receiving mail shipments and aims to make customs faster and clearer, especially since duty-free rules for items under $800 are paused. The test will run until further notice, and feedback is welcome throughout.

Next: 2026-12672, Hours of Service of Drivers: Association of American Railroads and American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association; Application for Exemption Renewal

The FMCSA is giving railroads a temporary 4-month pass to ignore some strict driving hour limits so their workers can handle unexpected events outside normal shifts. This affects railroad employees who drive and helps keep trains running smoothly without breaking the usual 14-hour and weekly hour rules. The exemption starts June 19, 2026, and costs or long delays are avoided while the FMCSA reviews a longer 5-year renewal request.