Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Washington Trade Daily reports that Senate leaders have admitted that they had not made much progress over the Easter break to reduce the list of 80 amendments to the Extraterritorial Income Tax (ETI) repeal bill, which is needed in order to end escalating trade sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) in March 2004 after the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled that the tax break amounts to a prohibited export subsidy. (WTD dated 04/21/04, www.washingtontradedaily.com)
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1. Minimal Progress Reported on Senate ETI Repeal Bill
2. USTR Initiates Environmental Review for Proposed Panama FTA
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice announcing that, through the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC), it is initiating an environmental review of the proposed Panama free trade agreement (FTA). According to the USTR, the TSPC is requesting written comments on what should be included in the scope of the review. Such comments should be received no later than May 14, 2004. (FR Pub 04/12/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-8239.pdf)
3. FDA Issues April 2004 Update to the 2001 Food Code
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an update to the 2001 Food Code which contains editorial edits to incorporate an errata sheet, corrections since the original posting date, and edits for content accuracy. In addition, links were also added where references exist to other parts/sections of the Food Code, the Code of Federal Regulations, the U.S. code, and the Supplement to the 2001 Food Code. (Updated Food Code, dated April 2004, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/fc01-toc.html)
4. Comments Requested on Draft Paper on Commercial Law in Iraq
The Commerce Department's Office of the Chief Council for International Commerce is requesting comments on a draft paper on commercial law in Iraq, which has been added to its web site. (Draft paper available at www.osec.doc.gov/ogc/occic)
5. Foreign-Trade Zones Board Actions
The Foreign-Trade Zones Board (FTZB) has issued the following notices of recent FTZB actions:
| FTZ applicant | Company or action |
| Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council | application to establish general-purpose FTZ |
| Arkansas Department of Economic Development (FTZ 14) | L'Oreal USA, Inc. |
| Pensacola-Escambia County Promotion and Development Commission (FTZ 249) | General Electric Wind Energy and Energy Rentals |
FTZ notices (FR Pubs 04/13/04 and 04/19/04) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-8378.pdf and http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-8805.pdf
6. Various Agencies Seek Comments on Information Collections
The following is a list of various agencies that are seeking comments on the following information collections:
| Agency | Information Collection | Comments Due |
| FMCSA | Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program | 06/14/041 |
| ITA | President's "E" Award and the President's "E" Certificate of Service (ITA 725P) | 06/18/042 |
1 FR Pub 04/15/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-8499.pdf
2 FR Pub 04/19/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-8734.pdf