Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Washington Trade Daily reports that the outlook for Congressional consideration of the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has improved as the Speaker of the House of Representatives has indicated that he will no longer stand in the way of the FTA. According to the article, the House is expected to consider U.S.-Australia FTA implementing legislation sometime in summer 2004. (See ITT's Online Archives or 05/20/04 news, 04052005, for BP summary on the signing of the U.S.-Australia FTA.) (WTD dated 05/19/04, www.washingtontradedaily.com .)
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1. House Expected to Consider U.S.-Australia FTA in Summer 2004
2. ITA Issues Update on Hearing for the U.S.-China JCCT Working Group
The International Trade Administration (ITA) has posted to its Web site an update on the June 3, 2004 public hearing to identify topics and issues for the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) working group on structural issues. Among other things, the update contains a corrected fax number for submitting intents to testify. (See ITT's Online Archives or 05/05/04 news, 04050540, for BP summary of this working group's establishment.) (ITA update, dated 05/19/04, available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/us-china-jcctwg/us-china-jcctwg-index.html.)
3. USTR Announces $1 Million Contribution for WTO Technical Assistance
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. will contribute $1,000,000 for trade-related technical assistance (TRTA) to the World Trade Organization (WTO). According to the USTR, this latest contribution will bring total U.S. TRTA for the Doha Development Agenda to almost $4,000,000 since the launch of negotiations in November 2001. (Press Release 2004-41, dated 05/14/04, available at http://www.ustr.gov/releases/2004/05/04-41.pdf)
4. USTR Statement on EU Acceptance that Agricultural Export Subsidies Must be Abolished
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a statement in which he welcomes the European Union's (EU's) announcement that it will, as part of the Doha negotiations, accept that all countries must set an end date for the abolition of agricultural export subsidies. The USTR added that the U.S. has already offered to eliminate U.S. export subsidies. (Statement dated 05/10/04, available at http://www.ustr.gov/releases/2004/05/2004-05-10-statement-doha.pdf)
5. President Continues National Emergency With Respect to Burma
The President has issued a notice, dated May 17, 2004, which continues for one year the national emergency originally declared in Executive Order 13047 on May 20, 1997 with respect to Burma. This notice also extends related measures adopted on that date, including a prohibition on new investment in Burma by U.S. persons. (FR Pub 05/19/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-11476.pdf)
6. Labor Department Issues 2003 Report on Worst Forms of Child Labor
The Labor Department's Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) has released its third annual report on the worst forms of child labor, in response to a child labor reporting requirement under the Trade and Development Act of 2000. (ILAB news release, dated 05/11/04, available at http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/ilab/ILAB2004826.htm)
7. FSIS Extends Compliance Date on Pizza Labeling for Certain Manufacturers
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has extended the compliance date (in part) until July 31, 2004 (from October 22, 2003) for its final rule, which, among other things, requires certain labeling of "pizza" products containing a meat or poultry component as part of the product name. FSIS states that the extended compliance date applies to those manufacturers of packaged pizzas that have not changed the formulation of their products since the final rule became effective and that continue to use their current label designs without change. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/01/03 news, 03080199 4, for BP summary of final rule.) (D/N 01-018E, FR Pub 05/18/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/19may20040800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-11215.pdf)
8. BIS Order Denies Export Privileges of Arian for Ten Years
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued an order which denies the export privileges of Arian Transportvermittlungs GmbH (Arian) of Germany for 10 years, in connection with allegations that Arian reexported, and caused the transport of, certain computers and encryption software from Germany to Iran without a license. (D/N 03-BIS-06, FR Pub 05/18/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/19may20040800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-11210.pdf)