Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Nine Proposed FTAs are Under Negotiation or Pending Implementation

2. State Department's International Economic Policy Committee to Meet

The State Department has issued a notice stating that the Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy (ACIEP) will hold a public meeting on March 2, 2004 in Washington, DC in order to discuss transparency and anti-corruption efforts, China's economic growth, public-private partnerships, and subcommittee updates. (Public Notice 4607, FR Pub 02/17/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-3382.pdf)

3. OFAC Identifies 10 Entities for Cuban Embargo Violations, Blocks Assets

The State Department's Washington File has reported that the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has identified ten entities owned or controlled by the government of Cuba or Cuban nationals that are in violation of the U.S. embargo on trade with, or travel to, Cuba. OFAC states that nine of the ten are travel companies specializing in Cuba travel and one is a gift forwarder to Cuba. The Washington File reports that the Treasury Department is taking action to ensure that all property of these entities that is in the possession of persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction is blocked and no persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction may engage in any transactions with these entities unless authorized by OFAC. (Washington File Pub, dated 02/09/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=February&x=20040209161846GLnesnoM0.1415369&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)

4. Recent CPSC Press Releases on Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued separate press releases (dated 12/02/03 - 12/15/03) announcing that the following companies, in cooperation with the CPSC, are voluntarily recalling (or updating an earlier recall on) the products listed below: (Press releases available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereldec03.html.)