July 26, 2026 to August 01, 2026

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. Also consider subscribing to our Manufacturing - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

Section 301 Tariffs on Forced Labor—Wide-Ranging Measures Affecting Trade

The Office of the United States Trade Representative issued final determinations and actions under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 against 60 economies for failing to impose and enforce prohibitions on the importation of goods produced with forced labor. The action imposes tariffs of 10% on imports from certain economies such as Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, and 12.5% on others, with country-specific exemptions. Special tariff formulas apply to the European Union, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, and Taiwan, ensuring total duties align with trade agreements or are capped. In addition, a textile mechanism is being developed for Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia, including forthcoming tariff-rate quotas designed to incentivize the use of U.S. cotton and textile inputs. The action covers all products except a detailed set of exempted goods, such as essential raw materials. Products subject to Section 232 or existing antidumping or countervailing duties are not subject to these new measures. The tariff measures are effective from July 24, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Restricts Export of Critical Minerals Scrap and Waste

President Donald J. Trump signed a determination under Section 101 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, directing the Secretary of Commerce to restrict the export of recoverable critical minerals and materials (CMMs), including black mass, swarf, and end-of-life rare-earth permanent magnets, citing national defense needs. The memorandum defines eligible scrapped and waste materials, excludes copper scrap already covered, and authorizes forthcoming regulations. The measure is part of a broader strategy addressing the U.S. reliance on imports of strategic minerals.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Safeguard Tariff-Rate Quota Imposed on Quartz Surface Product Imports

A presidential proclamation establishes a four-year tariff-rate quota on quartz surface product (QSP) imports following a U.S. International Trade Commission finding of serious injury to domestic industry from import competition. The safeguard—effective August 15, 2026—sets annual quota allocations with rising out-of-quota tariffs, exempting certain countries not found to substantially contribute to the injury, including Canada, Mexico, Australia, several CAFTA-DR countries, and others. The Trade Representative is authorized to make adjustments if surges or circumvention occur. The action follows U.S. trade law and allows for termination or modification if conditions change.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

EPA Processes New Chemicals Notices and Test Data (April–May 2026)

The Environmental Protection Agency published its monthly update on new chemical substance notifications received under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) during April and May 2026. Notices include premanufacture, significant new use, and microbial commercial activity notices from chemical manufacturers and importers, along with test information and notices of commencement. The EPA lists substances’ names (or generic names if confidential), manufacturers, intended uses, and test data received. Comments on these submissions are due by August 27, 2026. EPA provides a docket and online tool for review status and determinations.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

PHMSA Incorporates 2025 ASTM F1973 Standard for Polyethylene and Polyamide Gas Pipeline Risers

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration confirmed the effective date for its Direct Final Rule updating 49 CFR Part 192 to incorporate the 2025 edition of ASTM F1973. The rule governs factory-assembled anodeless risers and transition fittings in PE, PA11, and PA12 gas distribution systems, supplanting references to the 2021 edition. The rule takes effect January 1, 2027, with no adverse comments received.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Increasing Opportunity For Reindustrialization Act

Bill 10006 was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. The bill proposes measures to support reindustrialization efforts nationwide, but further action will depend on committee review.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Recycling Infrastructure and Data Accountability Act Introduced

Bill 9987 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The legislation aims to address data collection and reporting for recycling infrastructure across the United States.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill to Exempt Certain Home Building Products from Recent Tariffs

Bill 9977, titled 'To exempt certain home building products from certain tariffs imposed on or after January 20, 2025, and for other purposes,' was referred to the House Committees on Ways and Means and Rules for further consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Recycled Plastic Content Traceability—Senate Bill

Senate Bill 5182, which establishes a federal working group for recycled plastic content traceability, was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Manufacturing Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill

Bill 9954 was referred to both the House Financial Services and Ways and Means Committees. The bill seeks to establish a sovereign wealth fund focused on manufacturing investments.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• How Diamonds, Paprika and Fertilizer Won Relief From Trump’s Tariffs: NYT reports on product-specific exemptions granted amid a broad expansion of Section 301 tariffs.
• Feeding the circular economy: The rise in upcycled food: Reuters covers growth in upcycled food use as part of broader circular economy trends.
• Vana Specialty Packaging Examines How Sustainable Packaging Materials Influence Packaging Performance, Manufacturing Efficiency, and Brand Objectives: A short review of how new packaging materials affect efficiency and brand goals.
• In record heat, a warming world has come to rely on China to stay cool: CNN describes how demand for air conditioning has raised the profile of China-made HVAC equipment in global markets.
• Indonesia moves to ease rare-earth checks bottleneck delaying alumina, nickel exports: Reuters details regulatory changes to expedite mineral exports affected by rare-earth content checks.

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