Argentina recently introduced a new import monitoring system to help “ensure the predictability and traceability of import operations,” the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Oct. 21. The new Import System of the Argentine Republic, which replaced the old Comprehensive Import Monitoring System, will allow for “greater control in the traceability of the entire operation,” the report said. The new system will apply to importers registered in the Special Customs Registries “in relation to definitive importations for consumption,” the report said, and declarations are valid for a renewable period of 90 days from the date they are cleared by Argentina’s government agencies. The old system had a renewable period of 180 days.

Florida lawmakers who have asked U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to start a Section 301 investigation on unfair support for Mexican produce exports are forum shopping after "prior U.S. government investigations have found that Mexican imports have not injured that segment of the U.S. industry," wrote 24 trade groups, mostly agriculture exporters, but also the National Retail Federation and Retail Industry Leaders Association.

Brazil and Canada recently announced antidumping and countervailing duty actions on products from mainland China, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Sept. 23.

Canada, Peru and Brazil recently announced antidumping and countervailing duty actions and decisions on certain products from mainland China, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Sept. 16.

CBP and Brazil's customs authority, Receita Federal, are mutually recognizing each other's Authorized Economic Operator programs with a Mutual Recognition Arrangement.

Brazil recently added 399 items to its list of foreign capital goods and information technology and telecommunications goods subject to duty-free treatment under its Ex-Tarifario regime, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Sept. 16. The 333 added capital goods are classified in Harmonized System chapters 82, 84, 85, 86, 89 and 90, while the 66 added IT and telecom goods are classified in chapters 84, 85 and 90. Duty-free treatment lasts through Dec. 31, 2025. Brazil also removed 43 items from the list, and made “various changes” to its list of automotive parts that qualify for an import duty exemption, HKTDC said.

Electric vehicle manufacturing and supply chain resilience in semiconductors continued as major topics in the U.S.-Mexico High-Level Economic Dialogue, and pharmaceutical supply chain resilience is now also on the agenda, according to a joint statement after the HLED in Mexico City Sept. 12.

Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Jayme White emphasized the importance of Mexico blocking the import of goods made with forced labor, the importance of a science- and risk-based regulatory approval process for agricultural biotechnology, implementation of labor reform and the importance of hearing from stakeholders as new regulations are developed, according to a readout of his Aug. 23 meeting with Mexico's Under Secretary for Foreign Trade, Luz Maria de la Mora. The Mexican government didn't release a readout of what was discussed during the video call.

Mexico and Brazil recently announced antidumping duty actions and decisions on certain products from mainland China, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Aug. 19.

Canada reminded industry that its temporary ban on certain imported handguns took effect Aug. 19, limiting the availability of certain import licenses for gun buyers (see 2208080023). The temporary measure is meant to “slow the run on handguns” until the country’s proposed national handgun "freeze" on sales and ownership takes effect, Canada said.