USTR Recommends Section 301 Tariffs for Nicaragua Products
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced today, Oct. 20, it has determined under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act that Nicaragua’s acts, policies, and practices related to abuses of labor rights, abuses of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and dismantling of the rule of law are unreasonable and burden or restrict U.S. commerce.
As a result of this determination, USTR issued a report which details evidence and findings supporting the Section 301 determination. The report is available here.
Specifically, USTR is proposing a range of actions, including but not limited to suspension, withdrawal, or prevention of application of benefits of the Dominican Republic-Central America-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (CAFTADR) to Nicaragua, and additional duties of up to 100% on some or all products of Nicaragua.
As set out in the Federal Register notice, the public is invited to provide written comments by Nov. 19 on the proposed action. A docket for comments regarding the investigation will be available here.
The NCBFAA Customs Committee and Counsel of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., will continue to monitor this USTR action and possibility of Section 301 tariffs for Nicaragua products, including Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidance, to our members as received.
