USTR

The U.S. and the European Union on Friday announced a tariff agreement aimed at increasing trans-Atlantic market access, calling it the first such deal between Washington and Brussels in more than two decades.

Written feedback is due by Sept. 21.

The U.S. and China will hold a high-level check-in on the implementation of the phase-one trade deal in the “coming days,” the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

The phase-one trade agreement between the U.S. and China has been heralded as the lone remaining bright spot in the rapidly deteriorating U.S.-Sino relationship, but a six-month check-in between U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and his Chinese counterpart will not be held because the Trump administration is “frustrated” by the spread of the coronavirus, according to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.

As the administration begins to review long-awaited challenges brought under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s labor chapter, industry groups are calling for more transparency and clarifications to improve labor complaint-submission procedures under the chapter as well as those for a new rapid-response tool.

“The American people should not have to rely so heavily on foreign countries for personal protective equipment.”

Written comments will be solicited to inform an annual report to Congress, which is due in December.

Arizona lawmakers this week reaffirmed their opposition to any new trade remedies for seasonal growers, warning they would harm the state’s economy and “undermine” the spirit of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer this week discussed U.S.-Africa trade relations with Reps. Dwight Evans (D-PA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) as well as Philadelphia-area business representatives, Evans said in an Aug. 12 statement.