Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Washington Post reports that progress toward free trade is bogged down in Congress, due in large part to public concerns about the loss of jobs to foreign competition. According to the article, voter sentiment is running high against trade with low-wage countries and the Bush Administration is leery of trying for congressional approval of the U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) before the November election. The article opines that the only free trade agreements (FTAs) that stand a chance of getting through Congress in coming months are the U.S.-Australia FTA and the U.S.-Morocco FTA. (WP dated 04/23/04, www.washingtonpost.com.)
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1. Progress Toward Free Trade is Bogged Down in Congress Due to Job Loss Concerns, Etc.
2. U.S.-Bahrain FTA Negotiations Are Progressing Quickly
According to Washington Trade Daily, a U.S. trade official has reported that free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between the U.S. and Bahrain are progressing quickly, with a final agreement, containing "almost no exceptions," expected to be ready for signing well before the end of 2004. According to the article, a formal meeting between negotiators will occur in May 2004. (WTD dated 04/21/04, www.washingtontradedaily.com)
3. Ex-Im Bank Seeks Comments on Export Finance Application
The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. (Ex-Im Bank) has announced that it has received an application to finance the export of approximately $17 million of U.S. goods to a steel service center in Ukraine. According the Ex-Im Bank, the U.S. exports will enable the center to process approximately 150,000 metric tons per year of galvanized and painted steel, which will be mostly consumed in the Ukraine and Russian construction industries. Comments are due within 14 days of April 14, 2004. (FR Pub 04/14/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-8402.pdf)
4. RSPA Extends Compliance Date for New HMR Air Eligibility Marking
The Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) has extended the compliance date to October 1, 2006 (from October 1, 2004) for the air eligibility marking requirement, which was one of the amendments made by its July 31, 2003 final rule that revised the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to maintain alignment with international standards. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/08/03 news, 03080815, for BP summary of the July 31, 2003 final rule.) (D/N RSPA-03-13658 (HM-215E), FR Pub 04/19/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-8825.pdf)
5. FMC Lists Applicants for OTI Licenses
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice stating that the following companies have filed applications for license as non-vessel-operating common carrier-ocean (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs):
NVOCC-OTIs
North American Cargo Inc. (NY)
Crane Logistics Inc. (NY)
Wanda Shipping Company, Ltd. (NY)
RMI Global Logistics, Inc. (IL)
FF-OTIs
Technology Ventures Incorporated (MI)
Earthlink Cargo And Customs Service (CA)
Intercorp Forwarders, Ltd. (NY)
NVOCC/FF-OTIs
Transec International, Inc. (WA)
Rojay World Freight, Inc. (NY)
FMC notice (FR Pub 04/22/04) available at: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-9083.pdf