Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Shippers'NewsWire reports that Islamist terrorist organizations have allegedly warned several major Asian shipping companies of possible attacks, according to newspapers in Asia. However, one Korean shipping company commented that Korean newspapers "erroneously reported" that the terrorist organizations had warned nine Korean shipping companies, when in fact the warning messages were addressing major shipping companies worldwide that include American, Danish, Taiwanese and French ones. (American Shipper Shippers'NewsWire, 07/14/04, ShippersNewsWire@americanshipper.com )
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1. Alleged Terrorist Threat to Shipping
2. China Cancels Pfizer's Patent for Viagra's Active Ingredient
Reuters has reported that China's State Intellectual Property Office overturned the patent on Viagra. According to Reuters, Chinese regulators cancelled Pfizer's patent for "sildenafil citrate", the active ingredient in Viagra, following complaints from Chinese generic drug makers who wanted to make their own versions of the drug without paying licensing fees to Pfizer. (Reuters Pub 07/08/04, available at http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=reutersEdgeNews&storyID=543633§ion=finance)
3. U.S. and China Resolve WTO Dispute on China's Tax Refund for Certain Semiconductors
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. and China have agreed on a resolution to their World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute regarding China's tax refund policy for integrated circuits. The USTR states that the resolution will ensure full market access and national treatment for U.S. integrated circuits in China. (USTR Press Release No. 2004-57, dated 07/08/04, available at http://www.ustr.gov/releases/2004/07/04-57.pdf)
4. U.S. and Oman Sign Trade and Investment Framework Agreement
The State Department's Washington File reports that the U.S. and Oman have entered into a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) that is aimed at strengthening economic ties between the two countries and opening channels of communication for discussing a more comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) in the future. (Washington File Pub 07/07/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=July&x=20040707173738ndyblehs0.1659662&t=xarchives/xarchitem.html)
5. BIS Settles Charges of Illegal Exports of Nuclear Pulse Generators to India
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a press release announcing that BNC Corp. (aka Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation) of San Rafael, CA agreed to a $55,000 civil penalty and a five-year denial of export privileges to settle charges that it made unlicensed exports of nuclear pulse generators to India in violation of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). (BIS press release, dated 06/28/04, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2004/BerkeleyNuc_June04.htm)
6. BIS Settles Charges of Illegal Exports of Chemicals to Hong Kong
BIS has issued a press release announcing that Atotech USA Inc. of Rock Hill, SC agreed to pay a $14,000 civil penalty to settle charges that it exported chemicals to Hong Kong without the required license, in violation of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). (BIS press release, dated 06/28/04, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2004/Atotech_June.htm)