Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The State Department's Washington File has reported that trade officials from the 34 democratic nations of the Western Hemisphere were unable to craft a common and balanced set of rights and obligations for the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and agreed to recess on February 6, 2004. According to the Washington File, a U.S. trade official has stated that FTAA negotiations are set to resume in March. (Washington File Pub, dated 02/09/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=February&x=20040209170029ASrelliM0.971554&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)
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1. FTAA Talks Recess in Mexico and Are Set to Resume in March
2. U.S. and Kuwait Prepare for Free Trade Agreement Negotiations
Washington Trade Daily has reported that during the week of February 9, 2004, the U.S. and Kuwait took a first step toward negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA), which is expected to commence "in a few months" and be completed in a year. The article states that the Kuwaiti Minister of Commerce and Industry has said that the other Gulf Cooperation Countries (Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) will eventually dock onto a U.S.-Kuwait/U.S.-Bahrain FTA. (WTD dated 02/11/04, www.washingtontradedaily.com.)
3. Rep. Pelosi Clarification Calls For Screening of 100% of Containers
The Journal of Commerce (JoC) has reported that House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi did not intend to call for inspection of 100% of import containers coming into the U.S. in the Democratic response to the President's State of the Union Address. According to JoC, Pelosi later clarified her remark by stating that she meant 100% screening of such containers. (JoC Pub, dated 02/09/04-02/15/04, www.joc.com)
4. FMCSA Reports that Truckers Calling its Hotline Are Focused on Complying with New HOS Rules
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a press release stating that an initial review released January 27, 2004 shows that truckers contacting the FMCSA are committed to following new hours-of-service rules, but still have questions about changes made to the old regulations. FMCSA also states that anecdotal reports show that drivers are finding the new rules are not causing the types of problems predicted by some. (FMCSA Press Release 2-04, dated 01/27/04, available at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/contactus/press/2004/012704.htm)
5. Senator Baucus Expresses Concerns Over Process for Including the Dominican Republic in CAFTA
A Senate Finance Committee press release states that Sen. Max Baucus has sent a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) outlining his concerns about the process surrounding possible inclusion of the Dominican Republic into the U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). The Senator's concerns stem from the fact that Congress is expected to be formally notified of the President's intention to sign CAFTA despite the fact that an agreement has not been completed with the Dominican Republic. Under the Trade Act of 2002, Congress has 90 days to review an agreement before it is signed. (Senate Finance Committee Press Release, dated 02/09/04, available at http://finance.senate.gov/press/Bpress/2004press/prb020904.pdf)
6. WCO Announces New Asia/Pacific Secretariat Will Combat IPR Crime
The World Customs Organization (WCO) has issued a press release announcing that a new Secretariat has recently been set up in the Asia/Pacific region, under the WCO Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Strategic Group with the aim of combating IPR crime more effectively at the border in that region. (WCO Press Release, dated 02/06/04, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/ie/En/Press/press.html)
7. FDA Final Rule Prohibits Sale of Dietary Supplements Containing Ephedra
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a final rule, effective April 12, 2004, which prohibits the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids (ephedra). The FDA states that this final rule declares such dietary supplements adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act because they present an unreasonable risk of illness or injury. (D/N 1995N-0304, FR Pub 02/11/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-2912.pdf)
8. FMC Posts Two Petitions for an Exemption from NVOCC Tariff Publishing Requirements
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has recently posted to its Web site the text of two petitions that were filed with the FMC by the Danzas Corporation (dba Danmar Lines Ltd., Danzas AEI Ocean Services, and DHL Danzas Air and Ocean) and by BDP International, Inc. for an exemption from non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) tariff publishing requirements. Comments on these petitions are due on or before February 13, 2004. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/04/04 news, 04020415, for BP summary of the FMC notices announcing the filing of these two petitions.) (P1-04 and P2-04 are available at http://www.fmc.gov/Docket%20Log/Docket%20Log%20Index.htm)
9. SABIT Funds for Training Business Executives, Scientists from Eurasia
The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued a notice announcing the availability of funds for the Special American Business Internship Training Program (SABIT), for training business executives and scientists from Eurasia (see notice for list of eligible countries). According to the ITA, applications must be received by 5 p.m. EST on April 23, 2004, and all awards will be made by September 30, 2004. (D/N 040129030-4030-01, FR Pub 02/05/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-2457.pdf)