Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Editor's page in the weekly Journal of Commerce opines that although the voluntary C-TPAT program has achieved much by responding swiftly to the change in national priorities that followed September 11, it may be time to move on, and work toward formalizing regulations for C-TPAT. The editorial adds that regulations may be needed as it makes little sense to require the use of smart containers through a voluntary C-TPAT program, as there is no guarantee firms will adopt them. (JoC, January 19-25, 2004, www.joc.com )
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1. Joc Editor Says that Regulations May Be Needed for C-TPAT
2. U.S. Wins Key Issues in WTO Appeal of Canadian Softwood Lumber Dispute
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release stating that the World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body has found in favor of the U.S. on key elements in a dispute between Canada and the U.S. on softwood lumber. At issue was a practice used by Canadian provinces to provide low-cost timber to Canadian timber companies. (See ITT's Online Archives or 05/16/03 news, 03051625, for most recent BP summary of this WTO dispute.) (USTR Press Release, dated 01/19/04, available at http://www.ustr.gov/releases/2004/01/04-03.pdf)
3. USTR to Visit Dominican Republic During 1st Round of FTA Talks
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) was scheduled to travel to the Dominican Republic on January 14, 2004 during the first of three negotiating rounds of free trade agreement (FTA) talks with that country. According to a USTR press release, the negotiations are designed to integrate the Dominican Republic into the recently completed negotiations with the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) countries. (USTR Press Release 2004-02, dated 01/13/04, available at http://www.ustr.gov/releases/2004/01/04-02.pdf)
4. NMFS Lifts Primary Embargo on Yellowfin Tuna from El Salvador
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a notice of affirmative finding which sources explain lifts the primary embargo imposed on yellowfin tuna from El Salvador in October 2000. NMFS states that this affirmative finding, which is effective December 31, 2003, will allow yellowfin tuna harvested in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean in compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program (IDCP) by El Salvadorian-flag purse seine vessels or purse seine vessels operating under El Salvador's jurisdiction to be imported into the U.S. (I.D. 122303E, FR Pub 01/06/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/09jan20040800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-233.pdf)
5. USTR States that Preliminary Results of ATPA Annual Review Delayed
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice stating that the preliminary results of its 2003 Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) Annual Review will be announced on March 31, 2004 (from December 1, 2003), with publication of the results in the Federal Register on or about that same date. According to the notice, several of the petitions filed requested the review of certain practices in certain beneficiary developing countries regarding compliance with ATPA eligibility criteria. (FR Pub 12/30/03, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/pdf/03-31927.pdf
6. USTR Solicits Comments on U.S.-Australia FTA Interim Environmental Review
On behalf of the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC), the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice seeking comments on the interim environmental review of the proposed U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The interim environmental review is available at www.ustr.gov/environment/environmental.shtml and comments were requested by January 16, 2004; however, comments received after January 16, 2004 will be taken into account in the preparation of the review of the final agreement. (FR Pub 12/30/03, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/pdf/03-32076.pdf)