Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
According to The Washington Post and a National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) press release, on September 9, 2004 a group of industry, farm, and labor groups, seeking to put pressure on the Bush Administration before the Presidential election, petitioned the government to accept a Section 301 petition against China's currency policies. The Washington Post reports that the groups are accusing China of manipulating its currency to gain trade advantages against U.S. firms. (WP dated 09/09/04, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8529-2004Sep9.html; NCTO press release, www.ncto.org/newsroom/pr200407.asp.)
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1. Groups Ask Administration to Accept Section 301 Petition on China's Currency Policies
2. Port Canaveral Closed Until Further Notice as Result of Hurricane Frances
The Journal of Commerce Online reports that Port Canaveral, just north of the landfall of Hurricane Frances, has announced that it will be closed until further notice. The article notes that a Port Canaveral press release states that this closure applies to all types of vessels, including recreational as well as cruise and cargo, and that a full inspection of the harbor and approaches and emergency dredging must be completed before the harbor can be reopened. (JoC Online dated 09/08/04, www.joc.com.)
3. Fed Ex Corp's Chairman to Lead Business Roundtable Security Task Force
Shippers' NewsWire reports that Fred Smith, chairman and president of FedEx Corp., has been named as chairman of the Business Roundtable's Security Task Force. According to the article, the task force was created after the 2001 terrorist attacks to help the private sector partner with government to protect the U.S.' critical infrastructure against threats of terrorism. (SNW dated 09/08/04, www.americanshipper.com.)
4. IRS Proposed Rule on Tax Treatment for Stapled Foreign Corporations
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a proposed rule concerning the definition and tax treatment of a stapled foreign corporation, which generally is treated for tax purposes as a domestic corporation under section 269B of the Internal Revenue Code. Comments are due by December 6, 2004 and a public hearing is scheduled for December 15, 2004. (FR Pub 09/07/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-20244.pdf)
5. FTC Final Rule on Ranges of Comparability for Dishwashers, Etc.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a final rule, effective December 8, 2004, concerning ranges of comparability for standard and compact dishwashers, and central air conditioners and heat pumps. In addition, the FTC is making a minor correction to the water heater range tables published on July 14, 2004. (See ITT's Online Archives 07/23/04 news, 04072399 7, for BP summary of FTC's July 14, 2004 notice.) (FR Pub 09/09/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-20404.pdf)