New Sanctions Targeting Iran’s Nuclear Program - U.S. Department of State

Today (4/9/25), the United States is sanctioning five entities and one individual based in Iran that support key entities managing and overseeing Iran’s nuclear program, including the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and the AEOI-subordinate Iran Centrifuge Technology Company (TESA).

Today’s action, which targets persons procuring or manufacturing critical technologies for TESA and AEOI, is taken in support of President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign on Iran.

The United States will continue to hold accountable those who seek to support Iran’s nuclear program, to include its proliferation-sensitive uranium enrichment activities.

The Department of the Treasury’s action was taken pursuant to Executive Order 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their supporters.
 

Treasury Department Takes Action to Unleash Financial Sector and Unburden Small Businesses through Elimination of Unnecessary, Duplicative, and Costly Regulations - U.S. Department of Treasury

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury), including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), will take immediate action to eliminate 15 rules and guidance materials. This is in addition to two rules recently rescinded by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).

The rules range from now-obsolete regulations dating back many years to regulations and guidance issued during the last Administration that placed significant burden on America’s small businesses. These efforts are just the latest deregulatory actions that follow Treasury’s prior announcement of an interim final rule to scale back FinCEN’s beneficial ownership information reporting requirements regulation, which is estimated to save American businesses more than $10 billion in first-year reporting costs and $9 billion per year each year after that and which FinCEN intends to finalize this year.

“Treasury’s planned actions are a part of President Trump’s bold agenda to unleash American prosperity by reining in burdensome regulations, in particular for small businesses that are the backbone of the American economy,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent.

Over the next several months, Treasury will continue to identify actions that will provide relief from burdensome and unnecessary IRS rules and unleash the regulated banking sector through thoughtful review of regulations and examination practices so that Americans can enjoy greater access to capital and reinvest in Main Street and our industrial base.
 

Federal Register Notices:

• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid From the People's Republic of China: Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination
• Polyester Textured Yarn From the People's Republic of China and India: Final Results of the Expedited First Sunset Reviews of the Countervailing Duty Orders
• 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid From India: Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination
• Circular Welded Carbon Quality Steel Line Pipe From the People's Republic of China: Continuation of Antidumping Duty Order and Countervailing Duty Order
• Certain Steel Nails From Malaysia: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and Final Rescission of Review; 2022-2023
• Sales at Less Than Fair Value; Determinations, Investigations, etc.: 2,4-Dicholorphenoxyacetic Acid From the People's Republic of China: Final Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value
• 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid From India: Final Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended Investigation; Opportunity To Request Administrative Review and Join Annual Inquiry Service List; Correction
• Large Power Transformers From the Republic of Korea: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2022-2023
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Certain Crafting Machines and Components Thereof; Notice of a Commission Determination Not To Review an Initial Determination Amending the Complaint and Notice of Investigation and Extending the Target Date
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Diffusion-Annealed, Nickel-Plated Flat-Rolled Steel Products From Japan: Continuation of Antidumping Duty Order
• Melamine From India: Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders
• Certain Softwood Lumber Products From Canada: Preliminary Results and Partial Rescission of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2023
• Certain Superabsorbent Polymers from the Republic of Korea: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2022-2023
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Freight Rail Couplers and Parts Thereof From the People's Republic of China: Rescission of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2023
• Sales at Less Than Fair Value; Determinations, Investigations, etc.: Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products From South Africa: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Postponement of Final Determination, and Extension of Provisional Measures
• Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products From Brazil: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Postponement of Final Determination, and Extension of Provisional Measures
• Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products From Canada: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Postponement of Final Determination, and Extension of Provisional Measures
• Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products From the Republic of Türkiye: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Postponement of Final Determination, and Extension of Provisional Measures
• Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products From the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Postponement of Final Determination, and Extension of Provisional Measures
• Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products From Australia: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Postponement of Final Determination, and Extension of Provisional Measures
• Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products From Mexico: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Postponement of Final Determination, and Extension of Provisional Measures
• Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products From the Netherlands: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Postponement of Final Determination, and Extension of Provisional Measures
• Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products From the United Arab Emirates: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Postponement of Final Determination, and Extension of Provisional Measures
• Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Products From Taiwan: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, Postponement of Final Determination, and Extension of Provisional Measures
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Strontium Chromate From Austria and France
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Agreement Suspending the Antidumping Duty Investigation on Sugar From Mexico: Preliminary Results of the 2022-2023 Administrative Review
• Hard Empty Capsules From India: Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and Alignment of Final Determination With Final Antidumping Duty Determination; Withdrawal
• Agreement Suspending the Countervailing Duty Investigation on Sugar From Mexico; Preliminary Results of the 2023 Administrative Review
• Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled Into Modules, From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results and Partial Rescission of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and Preliminary Determination of No Shipments; 2022-2023
• Mobile Access Equipment and Subassemblies Thereof From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Results and Rescission, in Part, of the Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2022
• Granular Polytetrafluoroethylene Resin From India: Preliminary Results of the Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2023
• Overhead Door Counterbalance Torsion Springs From India: Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and Alignment of Final Determination With Final Antidumping Duty Determination; Correction
• Non-Oriented Electrical Steel From Japan: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2022-2023
   

United States Seeks Mexico's Review of Alleged Denial of Workers’ Rights at Aludyne Automotive Mexico City, S.A. de C.V. - U.S.  Trade Representative

WASHINGTON — The Office of the United States Trade Representative has invoked the Rapid Response Labor Mechanism (RRM) in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to review whether workers at Aludyne Automotive Mexico City, S.A. de C.V. (Aludyne), located in Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico, are being denied the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining. The United States has suspended liquidation of tariffs on goods from the Aludyne facility, which manufactures auto parts.

Background

The United States Trade Representative and the Secretary of Labor co-chair the Interagency Labor Committee for Monitoring and Enforcement (ILC). On March 3, 2025, the ILC received an RRM petition from the Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Industria Metalica, Acero, Hierro, Conexos y Similares (STIMAHCS), a Mexican union affiliated with the Frente Autentico del Trabajo (FAT). The petition alleges that Aludyne violated workers' right to union representation by attempting to replace union leaders, restricting participation in worker committees, penalizing union negotiators, and interfering in union activities through threats, reprisals, and intimidation. The ILC reviews RRM petitions that it receives, and the accompanying information, within 30 days.

After conducting this review, the ILC determined that there is sufficient, credible evidence of a denial of rights enabling the good faith invocation of enforcement mechanisms. As a result, the United States Trade Representative has submitted a request to Mexico that Mexico review whether workers at Aludyne are being denied the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining. Mexico has 10 days to agree to conduct a review and, if it agrees, 45 days from today to complete the review.

A copy of the request for review can be found here.

A copy of the letter to the Secretary of the Treasury can be found here.

Information about previous requests can be found here.
 

CBP Issues Withhold Release Order on Taepyung Salt Farm - U.S. Customs & Border Protection

Agency will detain imports of sea salt products produced using forced labor

WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) against Taepyung Salt Farm based on information that reasonably indicates the use of forced labor in violation of 19 U.S.C. § 1307 in the production of the company’s sea salt products yesterday. Effective immediately, CBP personnel at all U.S. ports of entry will detain sea salt products sourced from Taepyung Salt Farm in South Korea.

CBP identified the following International Labour Organization forced labor indicators during its investigation of Taepyung Salt Farm: abuse of vulnerability, deception, restriction of movement, retention of identity documents, abusive living and working conditions, intimidation and threats, physical violence, debt bondage, withholding of wages, and excessive overtime.

“The fight against forced labor is a top priority for CBP,” said CBP Acting Commissioner Pete Flores. “Products made with forced labor do not belong in the United States.”

The WRO against Taepyung Salt Farm is the latest action CBP has taken to address forced labor and other human rights abuses around the world.

“Combatting forced labor in our supply chain is one of many ways we work to ensure an even playing field for law-abiding American businesses,” said Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner of CBP Office of Trade Susan S. Thomas.

With the issuance of this WRO, CBP currently oversees and enforces 52 WROs and nine Findings under 19 U.S.C. § 1307.

Companies who use forced labor to produce goods create unfair competition for law-abiding businesses who cannot compete with goods that are sold below market value, threatening the American economy. The International Labour Organization estimates that nearly 28 million workers are under conditions of forced labor worldwide.

19 U.S.C. § 1307 prohibits the importation of “all goods, wares, articles, and merchandise mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part in any foreign country by convict labor or/and forced labor, or/and indentured labor under penal sanctions… including forced or indentured child labor.” When CBP has information reasonably indicating that imported goods are made by forced labor in violation of 19 U.S.C. § 1307, the agency will order personnel at U.S. ports of entry to detain shipments of those goods. Importers of detained shipments may seek to destroy or export their shipments or seek to demonstrate that the merchandise is admissible.

CBP receives allegations of forced labor from a variety of sources including government agencies, media, non-government organizations, and members of the public. Any person or organization that has reason to believe merchandise produced with forced labor is being, or is likely to be, imported into the United States can report detailed allegations by contacting CBP through the e-Allegations Online Trade Violation Reporting System or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT.
 

CBP Finds Invasive Wood Boring Insect in Port Huron Railyard - U.S. Customs & Border Protection

Asian Long Horn beetle discovered during examination of cargo from Romania

PORT HURON, Mich. – One unlucky--and highly invasive—wood boring bug was intercepted by CBP agriculture specialists at a Port Huron railyard, March 17.

Live Asian Long Horn beetle (ALB) was discovered during an inspection of cargo from Romania, and the presence of frass—solid insect waste—was a telltale sign of more robust insect activity. Further examination revealed live ALB larvae.

The ALB has not been encountered in the Port Huron area since November 2021, marking more than three years without detection of the destructive invasive species.

“Our nation's agriculture industry is constantly at risk from pests and disease not known to occur in the U.S.,” said Area Port Director Jeffrey Wilson. “This interception by our highly skilled agriculture specialists showcase our continued commitment to safeguarding American agriculture and protecting public health.”

The ALB is an invasive species that can cause significant damage to various hardwood trees, including maples. It is a major concern in North America due to its potential to disrupt forest and urban ecosystems. It can cause significant economic damage by killing valuable shade and park trees, as well as injuring or killing forest trees of economic value.

“This discovery underscores the vital role our agriculture specialists play in protecting the nation’s natural resources and economy. The Asian Long Horned Beetle is a destructive invasive species that threatens our forests and urban landscapes,” said Director of Field Operations Marty Raybon. “Every successful interception, like this one, prevents potential devastation to our hardwood trees and reinforces our commitment to keeping invasive pests from harming our environment and economy.”

The invasive specimens were found amid wood pallets that were stamped in a manner consistent with heat treatment. Because untreated wood packaging material (WPM) poses a significant risk of introducing non-native pest and pathogens to new environments, such treatment, as outlined by the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures of the International Plant Protection Convention, is the international standard for the safe use and reuse of WPM, which includes pallets, crates, and cargo supports.

While the marking on the WPM appeared to be legitimate, it is suspected that the actual heat treatment process may not have been executed properly. 
 

CBP Launches Innovative International Remote Baggage Screening Initiative to Enhance Security and Streamline Travel - U.S. Customs & Border Protection 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Customs and Border Protection is proud to announce the implementation of a groundbreaking process to enhance the efficiency of international travel. The new International Remote Baggage Screening initiative allows for passengers arriving in the U.S. from foreign airports to continue to their connecting flights without the need to re-check their bags, unless specifically referred by CBP for further inspection. This streamlined process aims to reduce wait times and improve the overall travel experience for passengers.

CBP personnel can now view the same checked baggage x-ray images captured at the foreign international airport and review them remotely before the aircraft lands. This proactive approach enables CBP to assess potential security risks more effectively and expedites the processing of arriving flights. The IRBS initiative does not change the current Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening requirements or process for checked baggage.

CBP is currently testing and working alongside American Airlines for its daily flight from Sydney International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport and expects to be operational beginning April 9, 2025. The initiative will expand to other routes and airlines in the future. This collaboration highlights CBP’s dedication to improving security protocols while facilitating the flow of international travelers through select U.S. Ports of Entry.

“As part of our innovation efforts in air travel, CBP is leveraging technology to enhance baggage inspections to further secure and streamline travel,” said Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Diane J. Sabatino. “The International Remote Baggage Screening initiative is a significant step forward in modernizing our processes and providing a secure and seamless experience for international travelers.”

Secure and efficient processing of U.S. citizens, trusted travelers, and visitors to the U.S. is critical for economic and national security of the United States which cannot be accomplished exclusively with facility improvements, personnel, or stakeholder improvements. CBP’s Airport Modernization plans on enhancing security and traveler experience through multifaceted technology innovation in the CBP Federal Inspection Station. The IRBS initiative is part of CBP’s Airport Modernization plan..