Trade and Manufacturing Monitor

News and insight from our international trade practice group

DDTC aligns technical data export rules with BIS rules, simplifying technical data controls

Late last month, the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls issued a long-awaited interim final rule regarding what qualifies as the export, re-export, or transfer of technical data (a “controlled event”) under the…

United States and China Finally Agree to “Phase One” Deal

Last week, the United States and China reached an agreement on the long-awaited “phase one” trade deal. The deal, originally announced in October, will include tariff reductions by the United States and a $200 billion…

“Historic” USMCA Agreement Signed

On December 10, the U.S., Mexican, and Canadian governments signed an updated United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (“USMCA”) in Mexico City. The new agreement comes on the heels of months of additional negotiations…

Congress Passes Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act

Last week, Congress sent to the President’s desk a bill supporting pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019, sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), passed the Senate by…

EU Traders’ Holiday Cheer in Short Order

The holiday season is nearly upon us, yet things in the trade world are not so jolly. The United Kingdom (UK) eked out a slight gain in the third quarter to avoid a recession. In the fourth quarter, the usual High…