October 11, 2026 to October 17, 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
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

EPA Extends TSCA Compliance Deadlines for Trichloroethylene (TCE)

The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed revisions to compliance deadlines under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for trichloroethylene (TCE). Processing and industrial use deadlines shift from December 18, 2026, to December 31, 2027, offering a longer transition period for facilities transferring byproduct TCE between plants. Phaseout reduction of TCE feedstock used in HFC-134a production is also extended to the end of 2027, reflecting updated demand projections tied to critical infrastructure and national security. The EPA estimates a cost savings of $0.62-0.65 million due to the extensions, with deferred health benefit impacts. Safety Data Sheets must be updated within 30 days of the final rule publication to show revised dates. Public comments are invited for alternative deadlines and expedited implementation options.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Commerce Guidance on 'U.S. Content' for USMCA Tariffs

On October 14, the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security released guidance to U.S. Customs and Border Protection regarding the assessment of 'U.S. content' for tariff purposes under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). This guidance implements Presidential Proclamation 11032, adjusting tariffs for imports of aluminum, steel, and copper from Canada and Mexico. 'U.S. content' is defined as the value of parts wholly obtained, produced, or substantially transformed domestically, along with the value of steel melted and poured, aluminum smelted and cast, and copper smelted and cast in the U.S., if not already included. The guidance applies to products entered from October 14, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Final Affirmative Determinations for High Purity Dissolving Pulp from Brazil and Norway

The Department of Commerce issued final affirmative determinations regarding high purity dissolving pulp (HPDP) imports. For Brazil, HPDP was found sold at less than fair value, resulting in a 6.50% dumping margin and a 6.40% cash deposit rate for Bracell Bahia Specialty Celulose S.A., with final countervailing duties set at 9.37%. For Norway, Borregaard AS received a 6.51% dumping margin. The investigations cover pulp with an alpha cellulose percentage of 90% or higher and brightness of at least 90%. Both investigations await a U.S. International Trade Commission determination of material injury; duty orders and deposit requirements will be issued if injury is confirmed.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

Scheduling of USITC Five-Year Reviews for Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet

The U.S. International Trade Commission scheduled full five-year reviews to determine whether revoking countervailing and antidumping duty orders on common alloy aluminum sheet from sixteen countries would result in continued or renewed material injury to U.S. industry. The review period is extended up to 90 days due to complexity. Key dates are: staff report release on March 1, 2027; in-person hearing on March 18, 2027; deadlines for briefs and comments spanning March and April 2027. Disclosure of business proprietary information is permitted under protective order.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FDA Finalizes Guidance on Postapproval Manufacturing Changes for Biosimilars

The Food and Drug Administration published final guidance addressing postapproval manufacturing changes for biosimilar and interchangeable biosimilar products under the Public Health Service Act. This guidance elaborates on the recommended type and nature of information applicants should provide for such manufacturing changes, consistent with International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) Q5E principles. It supersedes previous guidance from Q&A I.20 in 'Questions and Answers on Biosimilar Development and the BPCI Act.' The guidance is effective October 13, 2026, and applies to applicants seeking supplementary approval for changes in product dosage form or strength.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Court Decision on Forged Steel Fluid End Blocks from Italy

The U.S. Court of International Trade issued a final judgment in Ellwood City Forge Company v. United States regarding forged steel fluid end blocks (FEBs) from Italy. The Department of Commerce amended the dumping margin for Lucchini Mame Forge S.p.A. from 2.97% to 7.55% following remand, excluding two additional producers from the CV profit calculation and adjusting the benchmark for input prices. No revised cash deposit instructions will be issued as Lucchini is subject to a superseding rate from later reviews. Liquidation is enjoined pending appeals.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Preliminary Results for Steel Nails from Malaysia and Oman, and PET Film from India

Commerce released preliminary administrative review results for steel nails from Malaysia and the Sultanate of Oman (July 2024-June 2025) and countervailing duty review for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film from India (January-December 2024). Malaysia's Region International and Region System Sdn. Bhd. received a 2.01% dumping margin, with reviews rescinded for 40 companies. Oman Fasteners received a 0.00% margin; Gulf Nails LLC was assigned the 9.10% all-others rate, with 15 companies rescinded from review. For India, SRF Limited received a 3.98% subsidy rate, with reviews rescinded for nine companies. Cash deposits and assessment instructions will follow after final outcomes. Interested parties may submit briefs, comments, and hearing requests within prescribed timelines.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

President Trump Announces Montana, Arizona, and Georgia Manufacturing Investments

President Trump made separate visits to Montana, Arizona, and Georgia, discussing administration achievements in manufacturing, private investment, and energy. Highlights include Janicki Industries' $800 million campus in Great Falls, Montana; large-scale investments in Arizona (TSMC $200 billion, EVelution Energy $850 million, Amkor Technology $2 billion); and commitments in Georgia from Pirelli, Siemens, UCB, GE Appliances, and Thermo Fisher Scientific spanning billions in new facilities and thousands of jobs. Associated initiatives addressed rural healthcare funding, energy sector reforms, and critical mineral production.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Projects Highlight Promise, Hurdles in U.S. Manufacturing Revival: Industry projects demonstrate renewed manufacturing activity alongside persistent challenges.
• Opinion | U.S. Manufacturers Need Permitting Reform: Commentary argues that regulatory permitting remains a significant obstacle for manufacturers.
• As pressure on forests mounts, fashion and paper brands turn to alternative fibres: Companies in fashion and paper sectors are exploring alternative fiber sources amid ongoing resource pressures.
• Tariffs on Metals, Autos Mire Down U.S.-Mexico Trade Talks: Metal and auto tariffs complicate ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Mexico.
• US manufacturing output rises in September: September figures show an increase in U.S. manufacturing output.
• Canadian steelmakers offset some US tariff pain with domestic demand: Canadian steel producers sustain operations by relying on domestic demand amid U.S. tariffs.
• COMMENTARY: Aluminium's calm belies lingering supply-chain stress: Analysis notes that calm aluminum markets mask persistent supply chain challenges.

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