In recent days and weeks, President Trump's trade negotiating agenda has set its sights on preventing transshipment of Chinese goods through third countries, in particular countries in Southeast Asia.

Leaders of Vietnam and China reaffirmed strong bilateral ties and agreed to boost cooperation, following a recently announced trade deal between Vietnam and the United States, which includes new tariffs that would target Chinese-origin goods transshipped through Vietnam.

China announced new restrictions on European Union medical device companies participating in its government procurement, a move Beijing described as a reciprocal response to similar measures adopted by the European Commission.

At a recent WTO meeting, China initiated a discussion of the U.S. "reciprocal" tariffs, with many other countries also weighing in.

Last week, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) concluded its 18-month anti-dumping investigation on EU brandy. Effective July 5, final anti-dumping duties of 27.7% to 34.9% will apply, though some companies will be exempted due to price undertakings.

(July 4 is a holiday in the U.S., so we are posting the newsletter today). This past week, CTM covered the following issues: * China-U.S. export control agreement details finalized * China's sanctions on Philippine politician * Seafood imports from Japan resumed * U.S. legislation repeals de minimis exemption

As the U.S. Senate and House work to agree on wide-ranging federal budget legislation, it looks increasingly likely that the final version will repeal the $800 de minimis duty exemption that was enacted in 2015, going a step further than the Trump administration's previous executive action to