This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning most types of manufacturing activities (except agricultural, automotive, aerospace, food, and pharmaceutical), e.g. textile and apparel, chemical, electronics, wood and paper, metals, plastics and rubber, packaging, and machining. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Manufacturing? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Mining and Oil & Gas.

Dates: 2026-01-17 to 2026-01-23

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

White House Issues NEPA Emergency Guidance for Federal Agencies

The Council on Environmental Quality issued updated guidance on National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures for emergencies on January 21, 2026. The directive equips federal agencies with step-by-step instructions to respond to events including wildfires, disease outbreaks, and economic crises, while maintaining NEPA compliance. CEQ emphasized the intention to balance expedient action with environmental review under legal frameworks. The guidance is informed by more than fifty years of NEPA implementation and targets alignment with administration priorities during declared emergencies.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Presidential Proclamation Adjusts Imports of Semiconductors, Manufacturing Equipment, and Derivative Products

On January 14, 2026, President Trump issued Proclamation 11002, adjusting imports of semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and derivative products under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. The proclamation immediately imposes a 25% ad valorem tariff on selected advanced computing chips and derivatives, effective January 15, 2026, with noted exemptions for chips used in domestic data centers, R&D, repairs, startups, consumer, civil industrial, and public sector applications. The administration is to continue trade negotiations aimed at strengthening the US technology supply chain, and future broader tariffs combined with a tariff offset program are expected following the outcome of these talks. The Secretary of Commerce will report on negotiation progress within 90 days.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Presidential Proclamation on Adjusting Imports of Processed Critical Minerals and Derivative Products

President Trump announced Proclamation 11001 on January 14, 2026, directing the Commerce Secretary and US Trade Representative to pursue negotiations on import modifications for processed critical minerals and derivative products (PCMDPs). The action, authorized under Section 232, follows findings that US reliance on imported PCMDPs—integral to defense, infrastructure, and consumer electronics—poses significant supply chain and price stability risks. The Administration may impose trade restrictions, including tariffs or price floors, if agreements are not reached. Monitoring of PCMDP imports and iterative reporting are mandated.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Intel Notifies Proposed Production Activity in Santa Clara Foreign-Trade Zone

Intel Foundry Corporation submitted notice for proposed semiconductor photomask production within Foreign-Trade Zone 18, Santa Clara, California, on January 14, 2026. Foreign-status inputs range from chemicals (calcium hydroxide, propane, trichloroethane, various acids) to sputtering targets of gallium, tantalum, titanium, and others. Some materials are subject to Section 1702, Section 232, and Section 301 tariffs based on origin, requiring privileged foreign status admission in the FTZ. Public comment is invited by March 2, 2026, with the notification available for inspection on the Board’s website.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Celanese Acetate LLC Files Notification for Cellulose Acetate Production in Virginia FTZ

Celanese Acetate LLC submitted a notification for proposed production activity at its Narrows, Virginia facility within FTZ 238. Finished outputs include cellulose acetate tow filament yarn and nonplasticized cellulose acetate flakes, with duty rates from 5.6% to 8.8%. High-purity wood pulp will be used as the foreign-status input, duty free, though subject materials from certain origins may be affected by Section 1702, Section 301 tariffs, or antidumping/countervailing duties. Comments are open through March 2, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

ITC Cancels Hearing on Antidumping and Countervailing Duties for Polypropylene Corrugated Boxes

The International Trade Commission announced on January 22, 2026, the cancellation of its scheduled hearing regarding antidumping and countervailing duty investigations for polypropylene corrugated boxes from China and Vietnam, following petitioners’ withdrawal of their request to appear. Parties are instructed to address Commission questions in posthearing briefs due January 28, 2026. The public record remains accessible via the Commission’s electronic docket.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Hardwood and Decorative Plywood from Indonesia: Preliminary Countervailing Duty Determination

On January 22, 2026, the Department of Commerce preliminarily determined that Indonesian producers and exporters of hardwood and decorative plywood receive countervailable subsidies, with rates ranging from 2.40% to 128.66%. Suspension of liquidation is directed for subject merchandise, and the final determination is aligned with the corresponding antidumping duty investigation to be issued by May 11, 2026 (unless postponed). Details on scope, methodology, and subsidy findings are available via public documents on the Commerce ACCESS system.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

ITC Institutes Formal Enforcement Proceeding on Synthetic Braiding Hair Packaging Orders

On January 22, 2026, the International Trade Commission initiated a formal enforcement proceeding concerning limited exclusion and cease-and-desist orders related to pre-stretched synthetic braiding hair packaging. The complaint from JBS Hair alleges that Vivace, Inc. continues to import infringing products in violation of prior remedial orders. The case will be presided over by the designated Chief Administrative Law Judge, with enforcement measures under review.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Department of Labor Seeks Comment on Main Fan Maintenance Information Collection

The Department of Labor submitted a Mine Safety & Health Administration sponsored information collection request for OMB review on January 22, 2026, regarding ventilation plans and main fan maintenance records. Mine operators are required to maintain proper ventilating systems and maintenance schedules. The public comment period is open until February 23, 2026, with details including an estimated annual burden of 4,496 hours and zero estimated annual other costs.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

State Department Reports to Congress on Iran’s Use of Raw/Semi-Finished Metals

On January 6, 2026, the State Department transmitted its semi-annual report to Congress under the FY13 NDAA (IFCA Section 1245). The determination shows Iran did not use designated raw or semi-finished metals as barter assets or as government assets but identified the use of Aluminum 5052 (including honeycomb form) in connection with Iranian nuclear, military, or ballistic missile programs for the period January–June 2025.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

New Source Review Permitting Improvement Act Advances in House

House Bill 161, the New Source Review Permitting Improvement Act, related to environmental protection, was ordered to be reported (amended) on January 21, 2026, by a vote of 28-23. The legislation pertains to permitting for new industrial sources and is progressing through committee.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• EU Aims to Fight Industrial Decline With ‘Made in Europe’ Law: The European Union is pursuing legislation to counter industrial decline with a focus on domestic manufacturing.
• An Un-MAGA Proposal to Bring Back American Manufacturing: One analyst examines luxury apparel’s role in revitalizing US manufacturing.
• US Plastics Pact charts progress toward 2030 targets: The US Plastics Pact issues a progress report on its industry-wide sustainability and recycling goals.
• Major factory construction projects to watch in 2026: The latest rundown of notable manufacturing facility construction initiatives for the current year.
• Right-To-Repair Bills Make A Comeback In 2026: Efforts to advance right-to-repair legislation for electronics, vehicles, and wheelchairs are renewed at state and federal levels.

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