USTR Section 301 Action’s New Maritime Fee Structure against China

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) introduced a new maritime fee structure in April 2025 to counter China’s dominance in the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors while promoting U.S. shipbuilding. The initiative stems from a Section 301 investigation, prompted by five U.S. labor unions in March 2024, which concluded that China’s state subsidies and policies unfairly…

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[ Trade War SITREP: 13-16 April 2025 ] CHINA SIGNS 40 AGREEMENTS W VIETNAM; Trump to help car industry; decoupling continues…

KEYSTONE DEVELOPMENT US probes into imports of pharmaceuticals and semiconductors Federal Register filings reveal probes into imports of pharmaceuticals and semiconductors as part of a bid to impose tariffs on both sectors on grounds that extensive reliance on foreign production of medicine and chips is a national security threat. The filings announce 21-day public comment periods…

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USA remove tariffs on a series of computing and semi-conductor related products

U.S. Customs and Border Protection released a bulletin late on 11 April 2025 EDT that a series of product categories will be excluded from the 2 April 2025 reciprocal tariff list. The list of affected products are: These codes primarily cover electronics, semiconductors, and related components, reflecting products critical to technology and manufacturing sectors. DPA…

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[ PBS ] House passes Republican bill requiring voters provide proof of U.S. citizenship

The House passed one of Republicans’ signature issues for the year on Thursday, approving legislation to require proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote for federal elections, one of President Donald Trump’s top election-related priorities. Nearly all Democrats lined up against the bill and warned that it risks disenfranchising millions of Americans who do…

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China increase retaliatory tariff to 84% from 34%

On April 9, 2025, the U.S. implements the additional 50% tariff as promised, raising the total tariff rate on Chinese imports to 104% (20% from February, 34% from April 2, plus 50% on April 9). China in response had also raised another 50% tariff, mirroring US tariff action. DPA believe that we are now heading…

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China totally playing into Trump’s hands.

China issued retaliatory tariffs against Trump’s “Liberation Day Reciprocal Tariff” – as a result, Trump had announced that they will impose additional 50% tariff on China, effective April 9th 2025 if China do not retract their tariff. China totally playing into Trump’s hands. I just want to say early: the aim is to embargo China…

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