Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
According to The Journal of Commerce (JoC), rules of origin under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) are so complex that many companies are forgoing NAFTA benefits, as they feel that the duty savings under NAFTA are not worth all the effort of compliance, such as obtaining manufacturers' affidavits from each supplier. (JoC, dated 02/16/04-02/22/04, www.joc.com)
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1. Companies Forgo NAFTA Benefits Due to Complex Rules of Origin
2. Senate to Take Up Issue of ETI Replacement Bill
The Washington Trade Daily (WTD) reports that the Senate Majority Leader has stated that the Senate will take up legislation to repeal the Extra-Territorial Income (ETI) tax break. However, this will not be done in time to prevent the European Union (EU) from imposing trade sanctions. (WTD Pub 02/25/04, www.washingtontradedaily.com)
3. China Approves Final Safety Certificates for Key US Agricultural Products
The USTR and US Department of Agriculture have issued a joint press release stating that China's Ministry of Agriculture has approved permanent safety certificates for several biotechnology crops: Roundup Ready soybeans and two corn and two cotton products, which is good news for the U.S. farmer. (USDA/USTR press release, dated 02/23/04, available at http://www.ustr.gov/releases/2004/02/2004-02-23-china_ag.pdf )
4. CITA Corrects List of Category 659pt. HTS Numbers in its Notice Announcing the 2004 Textile and Apparel Quotas for Taiwan
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has issued a notice correcting its October 20, 2003 Federal Register notice which listed the 2004 textile and apparel quotas for Taiwan. CITA is correcting that notice in order to amend the list of HTS numbers excluded from Taiwan Category 659pt. by adding seven Category 659H (man-made fiber headgear) HTS numbers that were inadvertently omitted. (FR Pub 02/18/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-3462.pdf.)
5. FMC Extends Comment Period on Proposed Rule to Amend NVOCC Bonding Provisions to Reflect U.S.-China Maritime Agreement
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has published in the Federal Register a notice extending until February 27, 2004 (from February 20, 2004) the comment period on its proposed rule to amend its regulations governing proof of financial responsibility for ocean transportation intermediaries. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/23/04 news, 04022305, for previous BP summary of this comment period extension.) (FR Pub 02/25/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-4071.pdf.)
6. President's Export Council to Meet March 17, 2004 in Washington, DC
The President's Export Council will be holding a full Council meeting on March 17, 2004 in Washington, DC in order to discuss topics related to export expansion. This meeting will include discussion of trade priorities and initiatives, the World Trade Organization, President's Export Council subcommittee activity, and proposed letters of recommendation. (FR Pub 02/25/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-4124.pdf.)