Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

Washington Trade Daily reports that Commerce Undersecretary for International Trade has stated that his department will take a hard look at the "threat-based" petitions the domestic textile groups are expected to submit for targeted China categories such as 347 and 348. The article notes that the undersecretary stated that evidence of surges is an important, but not a necessary condition of relief and that "threat" of market disruption by forcing shifts in production is another important factor. The undersecretary added that Commerce is working on guidelines for China safeguard petition reviewers. (WTD, dated 09/06/04, www.washingtontradedaily.com )

2. Stations that Guard the Nation's Land Borders to Get New Look

The Wall Street Journal reports that the federal government, without any fanfare, has begun to enhance, and in many cases, rebuild dozens of the 167 "land border ports of entry" to meet modern security and commerce needs. The article states that the effort includes an ambitious campaign to elevate these structures, such as the ones at Sweet Grass, Montana, and Champlain, NY. (WSJ 09/01/04, www.wsj.com)

2. Major U.S. Railroads Experiencing Delays and Freight Backlogs

According to American Shipper, major U.S. railroads say that worsening delays and freight backlogs may occur during peak shipping seasons in August and September 2004. The article adds that rail's service crisis has been magnified by market factors and operational breakdowns. (American Shipper, 09/04)

2. Testimony Before House Committee that CSI, C-TPAT Inadequately Funded

In testimony before a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Subcommittee, the State Department's Washington File reports that Steven Flynn from the Council of Foreign Relations expressed concern that the maritime transportation security measures being pursued by the Administration are not adequately resourced, and cited U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP's) Container Security Initiative (CSI) and Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) as examples. (Washington File article, dated 08/26/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/is/Archive/2004/Aug/26-656082.html. Flynn testimony, available at http://www.house.gov/transportation/ (under 08/25/04 in the Weekly Schedule section).

3. GAO Says DHS Does Not Have Effective Enterprise Architecture Blueprint

The General Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a report to a House subcommittee in which it makes certain recommendations for improving the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS') enterprise architecture. GAO believes that DHS does not yet have the necessary enterprise architectural blueprint to effectively guide and constrain its ongoing business transformation efforts, etc. GAO is recommending that the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clarify the expected relationship between agencies' enterprise architectures and the Federal Enterprise Architecture. (GAO-04-777, dated 08/06/04, available at http://searching.gao.gov/cs.html?url=http%3A//www.gao.gov/new.items/d04777.pdf&qt=gao-04-777&col=&n=1)

5. Trade Restrictions on CITES Specimens from Mauritania and Somalia

The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has announced that the U.S. has prohibited the import, export, and re-export of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)-listed specimens from/to Mauritania or Somalia, or CITES-listed specimens with an origin of Mauritania or Somalia, due to their failure to adopt, etc. required CITES legislation. FWS notes that Mauritania and Somalia are already under trade suspensions due to their failure to provide required annual reports. (FWS public bulletin, dated 08/02/04, available at http://www.le.fws.gov/PBMauritaniaSomalia.htm)

6. APHIS Proposed Rule on Certain Tuberculosis Import Requirements for Steers and Spayed Heifers

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a proposed rule that would require that steers and spayed heifers with any evidence of horn growth that are entering the U.S. meet the same tuberculosis testing requirements as sexually intact animals entering the U.S. Comments are due by October 25, 2004. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/20/04 news, 04082099 3, for BP summary of APHIS' withdrawal of an interim rule on this matter.) (D/N 03-081-3, FR Pub 08/24/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-19313.pdf)

7. TSA Launched Registered Traveler Pilot Program at LAX in July 2004

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a press release announcing that on July 22, 2004 it began the registered traveler pilot program at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in conjunction with United Airlines. Under the program, approved registered travelers will be directed to a designated checkpoint lane where they will provide their Registered Traveler Smart Card containing biometric information (a fingerprint and iris scan) for identity confirmation. (TSA Press Release 07/22/04, available at http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=44&content=09000519800bb3e1)

8. BIS' RPTAC to Meet in Washington, DC on September 14, 2004

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a notice announcing that the Regulations and Procedures Technical Advisory Committee (RPTAC) will meet September 14, 2004 in Washington, DC. RPTAC advises on the implementation of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and provides for continuing review to update the EAR as needed. (FR Pub 08/27/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-19593.pdf)

9. Recent CPSC Press Releases on Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued separate press releases (dated 08/03/04-08/27/04) announcing that the following companies, in cooperation with the CPSC, are voluntarily recalling the products listed below (Press releases available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html):