Proclamation Published on Reduced Brazil Steel Quota, Annex Released

A recently announced reduction in quotas on Brazilian semi-finished steel results in a reduction in the annual quota amount of about 10%, according to an annex, released Sept. 1, to the president’s earlier proclamation. Originally implemented as part of a deal with Brazil for the country to avoid Section 232 steel tariffs, the adjustment for decreased U.S. steel demand causes the quota for subheading 9903.80.57, which covers steel blooms, billets and slabs, semi-finished, to fall on an annual basis to 3,155,137,048 kg, down 350,570,783 kg from the original deal. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has said that, in terms of remaining quota amounts for the year, the reduction amounts to a decline from 350,000 metric tons (350,000,000 kg) to 60,000 metric tons (60,000,000 kg) (see 2008310010). The annex also implements in new subheading 9903.80.62 an exemption from the decreased quota amounts for covered products already contracted for purchase, provided that the decrease would result in a disruption, among other conditions.