Commerce Department trade mission controversy

The Coalition of Domestic Folder Manufacturers Obtains Affirmative ITC Determination on Imports from China, India, and Vietnam

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 31, 2023

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. International Trade Commission voted unanimously that imports into the United States of paper file folders from China, India, and Vietnam are injuring domestic file folder manufacturers.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. International Trade Commission voted unanimously that imports into the United States of paper file folders from China, India, and Vietnam are injuring domestic file folder manufacturers.
  • The paper file folders at issue include manila, hanging fastener, classification, and expanding folders, as well as filing pockets, filing jackets, and filing wallets.
  • The Coalition of Domestic Folder Manufacturers (the "Coalition") is pleased with the final determinations by the Commission and Commerce Department.
  • The importation of subject paper file folders without the payment of countervailing and antidumping duties may result in severe civil or criminal penalties, including imprisonment.

NatureSweet Partners with Industry Leaders to Encourage the Department of Commerce to Keep Fresh Tomatoes Available, Affordable for American Consumers

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 26, 2023

A small group of domestic tomato producers is petitioning the Department of Commerce to terminate a longstanding trade agreement between the United States and importers of fresh tomatoes from Mexico.

Key Points: 
  • A small group of domestic tomato producers is petitioning the Department of Commerce to terminate a longstanding trade agreement between the United States and importers of fresh tomatoes from Mexico.
  • “The suspension agreement is critical to keeping specialty tomato varieties on American grocery store shelves,” says Skip Hulett, Vice President of General Counsel for NatureSweet.
  • Importers continue to play by the rules to deliver fresh, quality tomatoes to American families.
  • NatureSweet will continue to partner with industry leaders to encourage Commerce to reach a resolution that allows economies on both sides of the border to continue thriving.

Texas new home sales decline, yet market remains “strong and steady”

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 24, 2023

"The Texas new home market remains strong and steady," said Ben Caballero, America's No.

Key Points: 
  • "The Texas new home market remains strong and steady," said Ben Caballero, America's No.
  • In Texas' top four markets, last month's 3-month moving average new home price was $458,814 versus $460,060 in August.
  • According to the HomesUSA.com New Home Sales Index, the pace of new home sales peaked in three of the four major markets where Days on Market improved.
  • The report features 3-month and 12-month moving averages for six essential market data, including Days on Market, sales volume, sales prices, a sales-to-list price ratio, pending sales, and active listings.

American Producers of Aluminum Extrusions File Trade Petitions to Combat Illegal and Unfair Dumping and Subsidies from 15 Countries, Wiley Rein LLP Reports

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 4, 2023

The petitions demonstrate that aluminum extrusions producers in these countries are selling extrusions in the United States at less than fair value – dumped at rates up to 256% and distorting the U.S. market.

Key Points: 
  • The petitions demonstrate that aluminum extrusions producers in these countries are selling extrusions in the United States at less than fair value – dumped at rates up to 256% and distorting the U.S. market.
  • "For years, American extruders and workers have lost huge amounts of sales to unfairly traded, dumped and subsidized imports of aluminum extrusions," said Jeff Henderson, President of the Aluminum Extruders Council .
  • The petitions were filed concurrently with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC).
  • "We urge Commerce and the USITC to thoroughly investigate these unfair trade practices and effectively apply the trade laws to dumped and subsidized aluminum extrusions from the 15 countries subject to the petitions."

DHCD Announces Submission of Broadband Plans to Reach Universal Access for Virginians

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 27, 2023

RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development announced today the submission of the Initial Proposal Volume 2 to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which includes the adoption of public comment. The submission of the plans and initial proposals are the final step for Virginia to access its $1.48 billion federal allocation to deploy high-speed internet networks to areas without broadband.

Key Points: 
  • The submission of the plans and initial proposals are the final step for Virginia to access its $1.48 billion federal allocation to deploy high-speed internet networks to areas without broadband.
  • "In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, high-speed broadband access is not a luxury.
  • Once funding for universal broadband access is delivered, DHCD will focus on leveraging these investments through promoting affordability and improving adoption of this critical service.
  • "Broadband is indispensable in today's digital world," said Dr. Tamarah Holmes, Director of Broadband for DHCD.

Texas new home market is “finding its footing” as sales peak

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 21, 2023

“Considering the interest rate headwinds and market seasonality, Texas’ new home market is finding its footing,” said Caballero.

Key Points: 
  • “Considering the interest rate headwinds and market seasonality, Texas’ new home market is finding its footing,” said Caballero.
  • “By every measure – Days on Market, sales activity and average prices – new homes numbers are stabilizing yet remain impressive,” he added.
  • According to the HomesUSA.com New Home Sales Index, the pace of new home sales picked up in San Antonio, Houston and slightly in Austin as Days on Market improved.
  • The report features 3-month and 12-month moving averages for six essential market data, including Days on Market, sales volume, sales prices, a sales-to-list price ratio, pending sales, and active listings.

Calix Continues 24-Year Leadership in US Rural Broadband by Expanding Strategy To Include American Manufacturing, Ensuring Full Participation in the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 22, 2023

Calix was joined by government leaders United States Assistant Secretary of Commerce Alan Davidson and Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist.

Key Points: 
  • Calix was joined by government leaders United States Assistant Secretary of Commerce Alan Davidson and Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230922755256/en/
    Director of the Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives at NTIA, Dr. Jon Gant; Calix Chairman Carl Russo; Lt.
  • c/o Jabil
    Calix was founded in the United States (US) 24 years ago with an exclusive focus on enabling rural broadband service providers (BSPs).
  • Once the NTIA issues final guidance on BABA, Calix will share additional details of its programs with industry associations and customers.

Infinera Announces Suite of ICE-X Coherent Pluggables and Compound Semiconductor Components to Comply with Buy America Requirements

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Leveraging its domestic optical compound semiconductor fabrication facility in California and advanced testing and packaging facility in Pennsylvania, Infinera’s coherent optical solutions enable network operators to efficiently scale their networks, driving down cost per bit and power per bit while helping them meet Build America, Buy America requirements.

Key Points: 
  • Leveraging its domestic optical compound semiconductor fabrication facility in California and advanced testing and packaging facility in Pennsylvania, Infinera’s coherent optical solutions enable network operators to efficiently scale their networks, driving down cost per bit and power per bit while helping them meet Build America, Buy America requirements.
  • Infinera’s U.S.-based semiconductor production also provides improved supply chain security and resiliency.
  • Infinera’s suite of vertically integrated ICE-X intelligent coherent pluggables, based on the optical compound semiconductor indium phosphide, provide network operators the performance, scale, and efficiency critical to drive down network operating costs and to enhance service agility.
  • We remain committed to investing in and keeping optical semiconductor fabrication in the U.S.,” said David Heard, Infinera CEO.

Texas new home market remains “healthy”

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 21, 2023

In Texas' top four markets, last month's 3-month moving average new home price was $462,363 versus $462,307 in June.

Key Points: 
  • In Texas' top four markets, last month's 3-month moving average new home price was $462,363 versus $462,307 in June.
  • Caballero points out that new homes have significantly higher Days on Market or DOM than existing homes because most are listed while under construction.
  • The 3-month moving average for active listings in Texas' top four markets last month was 26,662 new homes versus 26,324 in June.
  • ( See Chart 4: Texas Sales-to-List Price Ratio )
    Based on local MLS data, pending new home sales decreased in all four Texas major markets last month.

U.S. Lumber Coalition Supports the Continued Strong Enforcement of the U.S. Trade Laws to Address Canada's Unfair Softwood Lumber Trade Practices

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 27, 2023

"The softwood lumber trade cases help offset Canadian lumber subsidies and dumping, allowing U.S. lumber manufacturers to compete in a fair market, invest in their businesses, and supply more U.S. lumber milled by U.S. workers to build U.S. homes," said Andrew Miller, Chairman of the U.S. Lumber Coalition and CEO of Stimson Lumber.

Key Points: 
  • "The softwood lumber trade cases help offset Canadian lumber subsidies and dumping, allowing U.S. lumber manufacturers to compete in a fair market, invest in their businesses, and supply more U.S. lumber milled by U.S. workers to build U.S. homes," said Andrew Miller, Chairman of the U.S. Lumber Coalition and CEO of Stimson Lumber.
  • "Failure to fully enforce the trade laws would only undermine long-term confidence in expanding U.S. sawmilling capacity and jobs in the American softwood lumber industry, which could cause significant supply disruptions for the U.S.
  • The U.S. industry remains open to a new U.S.–Canada softwood lumber trade agreement.
  • Until this happens, the U.S. Lumber Coalition fully supports the continued strong enforcement of the U.S. trade laws to address Canada's unfair softwood lumber trade practices.