Sri Lanka recently put in place a temporary tariff reduction for imported corn, but USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service expects the move to have minimal impacts on U.S. corn because Indian corn prices are lower. The new duty, imposed under a “Special Commodity Levy,” reduces the tariff on corn from 75 Sri Lankan Rupees per kilogram to 25 per kilogram, or about .076 cent, for about six months from Aug 18.
Japan activated its safety net measure for exporters that have been affected by foreign import restrictions on the country's marine products in response to Japan's release of nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean (see 2308220022). Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said it will aid small and medium-sized exporters along with micro-enterprises by offering loans to companies that are experiencing sales declines, according to an unofficial translation of a Nov. 15 notice. China in August began suspending imports of aquatic products, such as seafood and seaweed, from Japan (see 2308220022).
Indonesia recently imposed higher import tariffs on certain cosmetics, bicycles, watches, and iron and steel products, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Nov. 6. The new measures will place a 10% to 15% duty on cosmetic imports, a 25% to 40% duty on bicycle imports, a 10% duty on watches and up to a 20% duty on iron and steel products. As part of the changes, Indonesia also is requiring e‑commerce companies and other online vendors to share certain information on imported goods with the country’s Directorate General of Customs and Excise, including the names of the company and seller and the “specifications and quantity of imported goods,” HKTDC said.
Japan's Ministry for Economy, Trade and Industry on Nov. 8 released an updated set of frequently asked questions regarding the customs clearance process for electronic export licenses and paper licenses, according to an unofficial translation. The ministry said certain paper applications must be postmarked by June 30. The FAQs also offer guidance on customs clearance procedures involving the Nippon Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System.
Japan sanctioned nine people and one entity under its terrorist sanctions regime for their links to Hamas, the Ministry of Finance announced, according to an unofficial translation. The designations target three Palestinian nationals, four Jordanian nationals, one Sudanese national and one Egyptian national. It also sanctioned Buy Cash Money and Money Transfer Company.
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry recently updated its list of common "high-priority" goods barred from being exported to Russia, according to an unofficial translation. The items on the list, updated Oct. 20, include electronics parts, such as integrated circuits and transistors, wireless equipment and cameras. The full list has 45 types of goods, sorted into four tiers based on the level of importance to the Russian government. The move comes about one month after the U.S. and others expanded their list of common high-priority items that exporters and others should closely monitor for potential diversion to Russia (see 2309200031).
South Korea will look to Tanzania, in addition to ramping up domestic production, to secure graphite as a result of China's impending export controls on the critical mineral (see 2310200030), South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said this month, according to an unofficial translation. The agency said it will need to continue to monitor the situation and will look to "secure additional response capabilities" by supporting domestic artificial graphite production and securing long-term supply contracts with "private companies with mines in third countries such as Tanzania."
Australia and China officially agreed to resolve World Trade Organization disputes over Chinese duties on Australian wine and Australian duties on Chinese wind towers, China’s Commerce Ministry said Oct. 22. The two sides “conducted friendly consultations under the WTO framework on WTO dispute” and “have reached consensus on properly resolving them,” a ministry spokesperson said, according to an unofficial translation. “We are willing to work with Australia to continue to meet each other halfway through dialogue and consultation, and jointly promote the stable and healthy development of bilateral economic and trade relations.”
Japan is assessing whether China’s recent export restrictions on certain graphite products (see 2310200030), a key material used to produce batteries for electric vehicles, violated World Trade Organization rules, the country’s chief cabinet secretary told reporters last week, according to an audio translation released by Japan. Japan is “scrutinizing the impact” of the restrictions and is seeking more information from Beijing about the “intention and purpose” of the controls, the secretary said. “Based on WTO international rules, if an unfair measure is taken against Japan, then we have to take appropriate measures based on rules.”
China on Oct. 20 announced new export controls on certain graphite products, placing restrictions on a key material used to produce batteries for electric vehicles. The country's Ministry of Commerce will require companies to secure export licenses for high-purity, high-strength artificial graphite materials and their products, along with natural flake graphite and its products, according to an unofficial translation of a notice.