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Rep. Smith announces passage of bill to revoke diplomatic immunities of HKETOs

U. S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) has announced that the House of Representatives has passed his bill to remove diplomatic immunities from Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETOs). This move is part of the "China Week" effort to address economic aggression and espionage by the Chinese Communist Party.


Scheduling conference for Asbury Automotive Group set for September

A scheduling conference is set to take place before Administrative Law Judge Dania L. Ayoubi in the matter concerning Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., et al. The case is filed under Docket 9436.


Former DEA agent: the cartels and China ‘will continue to take advantage of the USA open border’

Derek Maltz Sr., former Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) director, said that Mexican drug cartels and China will continue their "deadly operations" by exploiting the open border. Maltz shared his statement in a Sept. 2 post on X.


The Drug Enforcement Administration: ‘New record of fentanyl pills seized’ in Utah, ‘flooding in' from Mexican cartels

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reported a new record of 800,000 fentanyl pills seized in Utah over the past six months. These pills have been "flooding in" from Mexican cartels, according to a statement shared by the DEA on September 9 via X.


2,700 migrants arrested in Tucson sector during the week of Sept. 6

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Sector Chief John R. Modlin announced the arrests of 2,700 migrants in the Tucson sector in the first week of the month, in a Sept. 6 post on X.


Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco marks 30th anniversary of Violence Against Women Act

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco delivered remarks on September 13, 2024, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The event highlighted the critical work done by leaders, advocates, and survivors in addressing gender-based violence.


DoD announces additional awards under Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program

The Department of Defense announced 12 additional awards to bioindustrial firms via the Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program (DBIMP). This announcement brings the DBIMP to 25 awards to date, totaling $42 million.


Retail sales rise again as inflation eases: report

Retail sales increased again in August as consumer demand and easing inflation overcame slower job growth, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, released today by the National Retail Federation.


U.S. hosts digital innovations meeting for female entrepreneurs in ASEAN

The U.S. Department of State hosted the Digital Innovations for Female Entrepreneurs in ASEAN Meeting (DIFEM) in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) on September 11-12, 2024, as part of the U.S.-ASEAN Connect Digital Economy Series. The DIFEM event supports Lao PDR’s ASEAN chair year efforts to meet 2024 priority economic deliverables by addressing financial gaps among micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and supporting the adoption of the Roadmap on Digital Trade Standards in ASEAN.


Proposed changes under Project 2025 raise concerns for American rural communities

Project 2025, a plan aiming to alter America's system of checks and balances, has raised concerns regarding its potential impact on rural communities. The proposal seeks to transfer power from the general populace to politicians, judges, and corporations. Here are some specific ways Project 2025 could affect rural Americans.


Consumer Technology Association responds to new tariffs and de minimis rule changes

The following statement is attributed to Gary Shapiro, CEO of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), regarding trade and tariff announcements from the White House and the U.S. Trade Representative:


Fordham Antitrust Law and Policy Conference to feature Lina M. Khan

Chair Lina M. Khan will participate in a fireside chat with Eleanor Fox and Joseph Ostoyich at the 51st Annual Fordham Antitrust Law and Policy Conference.


California man convicted for paying $2.9M in kickbacks for addiction treatment referrals

A federal jury convicted a California man this week for paying illegal kickbacks for patient referrals to his addiction treatment facilities located in Orange County, California.


ITI urges targeted approach in potential de minimis policy changes

Today, global tech trade association ITI released a statement from its President and CEO Jason Oxman in response to the White House’s new actions on de minimis policy.


U.S. Department proposes new rules supporting expanded tribal general welfare

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to implement section 139E of the Internal Revenue Code, established by the Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act of 2014. This Act allows Tribal governments to provide non-taxable assistance and benefits to Tribal members, which are excluded from their gross income for federal income tax purposes.


Moolenaar comments on new measures affecting de minimis exemptions

WASHINGTON D.C. - Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) released a statement today following the Biden Administration's decision to reduce the number of packages entering the United States via the de minimis exemption. The new measure prohibits packages from receiving the exemption if they are also subject to Section 201 or 301 tariffs. The de minimis exemption allows packages with a retail value of $800 or less to enter the United States without being subject to duties or taxes and with limited information provided to authorities.


Commerce Secretary announces measures against surge in de minimis shipments

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo released a statement following the Biden-Harris Administration's announcement of new actions to address the significant increase in the use of the de minimis exemption, particularly from Chinese e-commerce platforms. The measures aim to protect American consumers, workers, retailers, importers, and manufacturers.


ITI urges end to Section 301 tariffs amid new USTR announcement

Today, global tech trade association ITI released a statement from its President and CEO Jason Oxman in response to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)’s announcement on Section 301 tariffs.


United States files suit against Florida corporation for alleged transshipment of Chinese aluminum wire

The United States has initiated a civil lawsuit against Repwire LLC, a Florida-based corporation involved in importing wire and cables. The lawsuit alleges that Repwire made false statements to customs officials regarding the importation of aluminum wire into the country. Named as defendants in the suit are Repwire’s manager, Jose Pigna, and its insurer, American Alternative Insurance Corporation.


Biden-Harris administration announces new executive actions targeting surge in de minimis shipments

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), particularly U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is at the forefront of new executive actions announced by the Biden-Harris Administration aimed at protecting American consumers, workers, retailers, importers, and manufacturers. These actions address the surge in small packages claiming the de minimis exemption.