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.

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Dates: 2026-02-02 to 2026-02-08

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Markup of 12 Bills (House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade): The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade will meet for a markup of 12 bills on February 10, 2026, at 3:15 p.m. in Rayburn 2123.
• Multiple Legislative Topics Including Critical Minerals (House Rules Committee): On February 9, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in Capitol H-313, the House Rules Committee will consider H.R. 2189, H.R. 3617 (Critical Minerals Supply Act), and H.R. 261.
• Workplace Safety and AI (House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections): On February 11, 2026, at 3:15 p.m. in Rayburn 2175, the subcommittee will hold a hearing: “Building an AI-Ready America: Safer Workplaces Through Smarter Technology.”

Federal Government News

U.S.-India Joint Statement Announces Framework for Interim Trade Agreement

The United States and India jointly announced a framework for an Interim Agreement on reciprocal trade, reaffirming ongoing broader Bilateral Trade Agreement negotiations that began in 2025. Under the framework, India will reduce tariffs on U.S. industrial goods, food, and agricultural products, while the U.S. will reciprocate on Indian goods such as textiles, chemicals, and machinery, with plans to remove tariffs on certain items including pharmaceuticals and aircraft parts. Both sides will address non-tariff barriers, including India's restrictions on U.S. medical devices, ICT products, and agricultural imports, and set rules of origin to direct benefits to the respective countries. India committed to purchase $500 billion in U.S. energy, aircraft, technology, and metals over five years, with further expansion in technology products and supply chain cooperation. They agreed to advance digital trade and technical standards negotiations, aiming to sign the Interim Agreement and conclude a full trade deal.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Final Determination on Circumvention of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders for Circular Welded Carbon Quality Steel Pipe

The Department of Commerce issued a final affirmative determination finding that imports of circular welded carbon quality steel pipe completed in Oman using Chinese-origin hot-rolled steel circumvent existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on such pipe from China. The final determination applies on a country-wide basis. New certification requirements for importers and exporters have been established. Entries that do not meet these requirements may be subject to suspension of liquidation and cash deposits at the China-wide antidumping rate of 85.55 percent and countervailing rate of 39.01 percent. These actions cover entries since November 19, 2024, and will remain effective until further notice.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Commerce Issues Final Affirmative Determination in Antidumping Investigation on Certain Monomers and Oligomers from Taiwan

The Department of Commerce found that certain monomers and oligomers from Taiwan are being, or likely to be, sold in the U.S. at less than fair value, with margins for mandatory respondents and all others set at 130.23 percent. Critical circumstances were determined to exist, affecting entries since June 11, 2025. Suspension of liquidation instructions have been issued, and if the International Trade Commission issues a final injury determination, antidumping duties will be imposed at these rates. The investigation applies to specific multifunctional acrylate and methacrylate monomers and acrylated bisphenol-A epoxy-based oligomers, as described in the notice.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Foreign-Trade Zone Requested Production Activity: Intel Foundry (Semiconductor Products) in New Mexico

Intel Foundry Corporation has notified the Foreign-Trade Zones Board of proposed production activities in FTZ 110 (Subzone 110E), covering facilities in Rio Rancho and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Proposed outputs include photomasks, electronic integrated circuits, and other semiconductor components. Inputs listed range from industrial gases and chemicals to packaging materials and electronic components, many subject to duties (from duty-free up to 6.5%) and various trade actions depending on country of origin. Public comment on the notification is open through March 18, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Requests Input for e-Manifest Advisory Board Charge Questions and Users Conference Topics

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a public notice soliciting input on potential charge questions for its e-Manifest Advisory Board as well as possible topics for an e-Manifest System industry users conference. Stakeholders may submit recommendations on operational, regulatory, policy, and technical matters related to the hazardous waste electronic manifest system. Comments are due by March 9, 2026. The agency states it will determine which questions and topics to advance and notes the Advisory Board provides non-binding advice.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Federal Mechanical Insulation Act (H.R. 3474)

The Federal Mechanical Insulation Act (H.R. 3474) was placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 411. The bill addresses federal policy for mechanical insulation in energy applications.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act of 2025 (H.R. 1355)

Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act of 2025 (H.R. 1355) has been placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 410. The measure pertains to energy conservation programs.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act (H.R. 1343)

Federal Broadband Deployment Tracking Act (H.R. 1343) was placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 415. It focuses on tracking progress of broadband infrastructure deployment.

Sources: www.congress.gov

DIGITAL Applications Act (H.R. 1665)

H.R. 1665, the DIGITAL Applications Act, was placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 416. The bill addresses digital applications and policy for science and technology.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act (H.R. 1588)

H.R. 1588, Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act, was reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce (H. Rept. 119-486, Part I). It aims to facilitate deployment and use of digital applications.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• U.S. Manufacturing Is in Retreat and Trump’s Tariffs Aren’t Helping: Wall Street Journal covers U.S. manufacturing contraction and the effects of tariffs on sector competitiveness.
• Why U.S. Car Companies Want to Make Giant Batteries: New York Times reports on automakers' investments in domestic battery manufacturing to secure electric vehicle production.
• Idemitsu and partners to build natural graphite anode supply chain: Reuters details a consortium's effort to develop a domestic graphite anode supply chain for battery production in Asia.
• EU efforts to diversify critical raw material imports fail so far, auditors say: Reuters examines a report on the EU's ongoing reliance on limited sources for critical raw material imports.

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