Japan initiated an expiry review of its antidumping duties on electrolytic manganese dioxide from China, the Ministry of Finance announced in a March 8 notice. Finance, along with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, launched the review after receiving a petition from Tosoh Hyuga Corp. and Tosoh Corp. The review will take one year during which the ministries will make a decision on whether to extend the duties, currently ranging from 34.3% to 46.5%, based on the likelihood of dumping recurring if the duty orders expire.

The Singapore Customs TradeNet will undergo system maintenance March 19 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time, it said March 3. Singapore Customs advises users to avoid submitting applications during this time. This is in addition to the usual 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday maintenance.

China's Ministry of Commerce said this week the U.S. should immediately reverse its decision to add several Chinese entities to its Entity List (see 2303020083). The ministry said the move was "typical economic bullying" and China will take "necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies," according to an unofficial translation. The Entity List designations are an "excuse to practice unilateralism and protectionism," the ministry said.

Myron Brilliant, who leads the international division at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, asked Ambassador Nicholas Burns where the economic relationship with China is heading -- it's a trillion dollars worth of business, Brilliant noted, even with American businesses' concerns about discriminatory regulations and the effects of state-owned enterprises.

China's Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products held an export control compliance forum on Feb. 23, the Ministry of Commerce announced, according to an unofficial translation. Commerce Vice Minister Wang Shouwen said the Chinese government will look to further strengthen its guidance and assistance to businesses subject to export controls to safeguard their interests. He said the Chinese government actively backs international cooperation in export controls while promoting trade in controlled items.

India recently proposed simplifying and adjusting its customs duties, including by reducing the number of basic duty rates on goods that aren’t textiles or agricultural items from 21 to 13, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Feb. 21. The country also proposed cutting duties on chimney heat coils from 20% to 15%, increasing rates on electric kitchen chimneys from 7.5% to 15%, decreasing duties on TV panel parts to 2.5% and decreasing rates for “acid grade fluorspar” and “crude glycerine.” Proposed duty changes also could affect inputs for shrimp feed, mobile phones, metals and rubber. An exemption for electric vehicle battery manufacturing chemicals also has been proposed.

USDA is accepting applications from exporters for its upcoming trade mission in Japan, the agency's Foreign Agricultural Service said last week. The June 5-8 trade mission will offer U.S. agribusinesses the “potential to increase or expand their sales to Japan,” the agency said. The mission will travel to Tokyo and Osaka and will feature meetings between U.S. businesses and potential Japanese buyers. USDA said “strong opportunities” exist in Japan for exporters of meat, meat products, tree nuts, dairy products, condiments, sauces, fresh vegetables, processed fruit, egg products, beer, distilled spirits, wine and consumer-oriented goods. Applications are due Feb. 27.

China and Ecuador wrapped up negotiations over a free trade agreement Feb. 16, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced, according to an unofficial translation. China said the FTA will promote sustained and stable trade and investment between the two countries. Both parties will look to sign the agreement as soon as possible, it said.

China’s commerce ministry this week announced penalties and trade restrictions on U.S. defense companies Lockheed Martin and Raytheon over their arms sales to Taiwan. The measure placed Lockheed and Raytheon Missiles and Defense, a Raytheon subsidiary, on China’s so-called Unreliable Entity List and prohibits them from “engaging in import and export activities related to China,” according to an unofficial translation of a Feb. 16 ministry notice.

Singapore announced excise duty revisions for various tobacco and cigarette products, Singapore Customs announced. The tariff changes took effect Feb. 14. In most cases, there is an increase in the duties.