Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Washington Trade Daily (WTD) reports that the free trade negotiations that began with Bahrain in January 2004 are nearly half completed, with an negotiations possibly being completed as early as June. The WTD states that the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) believes Kuwait, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) could possibly dock into this agreement. (WTD Pub 03/04/04, www.washingtontradedaily.com)
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1. Bahrain FTA Could be Reached by June 2004
2. USDA Announces Mexico Will Resume Trade in U.S. Beef Products
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a statement that on March 3, 2004 Mexico announced it was reopening its border to U.S. beef products. The statement notes that Mexico is the U.S.' second largest export market for beef and beef products. (USDA Release No. 0093.04, dated 03/03/04, available at http://www.usda.gov/Newsroom/0093.04.html)
3. U.S. and EC Sign Mutual Recognition Agreement on Marine Equipment
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. and European Community (EC) have signed a mutual recognition agreement on marine equipment. According to the USTR, this agreement will facilitate transatlantic trade for certain designated products. (Press Release 2004-13, dated 02/27/04, available at http://www.ustr.gov/releases/2004/02/04-13.pdf)
4. APHIS Final Rule on Imports of Unshu Oranges from Japan
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a final rule, effective April 1, 2004, which adopts an interim rule (with two changes) that amended its regulations to allow Unshu oranges grown on certain Japanese islands to be imported without fumigation if the distribution of the fruit within the U.S. is limited to non-citrus-producing states. (See ITT's Online Archives or 03/10/03 news, 03031099 2, for BP summary of interim rule.) (D/N 02-108-2, FR Pub 03/02/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-4600.pdf)
5. APHIS Prohibits Imports of Certain Steers & Spayed Heifers from Mexico
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a final rule, effective April 1, 2004, that amends its regulations to prohibit the importation of Holstein cross steers and Holstein cross spayed heifers from Mexico due to the high incidence of tuberculosis. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/10/03 news, 03061099 5, for BP summary of the proposed rule.) (D/N 00-112-2, FR Pub 03/02/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-4598.pdf)
6. Termination of NAFTA Binational Panel Review of Carbon and Certain Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Canada
The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued a notice announcing that as of February 25, 2004, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Binational Panel Review of the ITA's final affirmative countervailing (CV) duty determination for carbon and certain alloy steel wire rod from Canada is terminated. (Secretariat File No. USA-CDA-2002-1904-08, FR Pub 03/01/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-4422.pdf)
7. Recent CPSC Press Releases on Recalls
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued separate press releases (dated 02/03/04 - 02/27/04) 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.)
8. E&B Giftware Agrees to $100,000 Penalty for Failing to Report Candle Hazard
CPSC has issued a press release announcing that E&B Giftware LLC of New York, has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $100,000 to settle allegations that it violated federal reporting requirements associated with certain outdoor torch candles. (CPSC press release 04-089, dated 02/27/04, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereldec03.html)