Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

November 18, 2004 |Top News

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing the Bush Administration's intent to negotiate free trade agreements (FTAs) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman. Major exports to these countries include machinery, aircraft, vehicles, and electrical machinery, while major imports include mineral fuel and woven apparel. (USTR Press Release, dated 11/15/04, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2004/November/U.S._Announces_Intent_to_Negotiate_FTAs_with_UAE_Oman.html)

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1. USTR Announces Intent to Negotiate FTAs With UAE and Oman

2. Shipping Lines, Container Lessors, Etc. Form Container Owners Association

Shipper's NewsWire has announced that shipping lines, container lessors, and other organizations involved in the operation of containers have formed a common association to cooperate on standards and other technical issues. According to Shipper's NewsWire, the "Container Owners Association" is based in London and held its inaugural meeting in Copenhagen on November 2, 2004. More information is available at www.containerownersassociation.org. (Shipper's NewsWire Pub 11/17/04, www.americanshipper.com)

3. U.S. Rejects WTO Report Ruling Against U.S. Internet Gambling Ban

The State Department's Washington File reports that the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) states that the U.S. has fundamentally rejected a November 10, 2004 World Trade Organization (WTO) report that found the U.S.' ban on international Internet gambling represents a violation of U.S. WTO commitments. The article indicates that the U.S. will appeal the November 10, 2004 report. (Washington File dated 11/10/04, available at

4. 70 Senators Send a Letter to Senate Leadership Supporting Passage of Miscellaneous Trade Bill

The Senate Finance Committee has issued a press release announcing that its Chairman and ranking member, with 68 colleagues have sent a bipartisan letter to Senate leaders urging final consideration and passage of the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 2004. According to the press release, the senators hope for final passage before the 108^th Congress ends as expected at the end of the week of November 15, 2004. (Senate Finance Committee press release, dated 11/15/04, available at http://finance.senate.gov/press/Gpress/2004/prg111504a.pdf. Senators' letter available at http://finance.senate.gov/press/Gpress/2004/prg111504alett.pdf.)

5. USTR Lists Petitions for 2004 ATPA/ATPDEA Review; Announces Status of 2003 Petitions Still Under Review

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has published a list of the September 2004 petitions for the 2004 annual review of the eligibility of countries for benefits of the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) as renewed and amended by the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act of 2002 (ATPDEA). The USTR has also announced the status of 2003 petitions that have remained under review. See notice for list of each petitioner and country. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/18/04 news, 04081815, for BP summary of the 2004 annual review announcement.) (FR Pub 11/15/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/15nov20040800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-25240.pdf)

6. NOAA Announces Continued Importation of Certain Tuna From Ecuador

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced that the affirmative finding for Ecuador has been renewed for the period of April 1, 2004 through March 31, 2005. This renewal allows the continued importation of yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna products harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP) by Ecuadorian-flag purse seine vessels or vessels operating under Ecuadorian jurisdiction with greater than 400 short tons (362.8 mt) carrying capacity. (FR Pub 11/15/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/15nov20040800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-25315.pdf)

7. FSIS Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection to Meet

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a notice that the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection will hold a public meeting on November 16-17, 2004 in Alexandria, VA regarding (1) The FSIS's Technical Service Center (TSC), (2) the FSIS's internal and external information sharing processes, (3) developing a data depository to help FSIS anticipate food borne hazards, (4) etc. (FR Pub 11/09/04; http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-24882.pdf )

[8. 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

L.C.L. Ocean Services, Inc. (FL)

Global Partner Logistics, Inc. (NJ)

N.C. Shipping, Inc. (CA)

Windsur Int'l Inc. (CA)

NVOCC/FF-OTIs

American Cruise-Aid Logistics, Inc. (FL)

Go Events Management, Inc. (NY)

LE International Inc. (CA)

North American International N.A., Inc. (IL)

TranLogistics, LLC (FL)

FF-OTIs

AGLO Inc. (FL)

APL Logistics Hong Kong, Limited (CA)

(FMC notices (FR Pubs 11/10/004) available at: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-25114.pdf )

9. CPSC Announces Johnson Health TechCo.and Horizon Fitness Inc.to Pay $500,000 Penalty

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a press release stating that Johnson Health Tech Co. Ltd. of Taiwan and Horizon Fitness Inc. of DeForest, WI have agreed to pay a $500,000 civil penalty to settle allegations that they violated federal reporting requirements by failing to timely inform the CPSC about problems with the control panel on its treadmills. (CPSC release 05-030, dated 10/29/04, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml05/05030.html)

10. CPSC Announces Sears, Roebuck and Co. to Pay $500,000 Penalty

The CPSC has issued a press release stating that Sears, Roebuck and Co. of Hoffman Estates, IL has agreed to pay a $500,000 civil penalty to settle allegations that it violated federal reporting requirements by failing to report of fuel leakage and fuel tank cracking with certain models of Craftsman rear-engine riding lawn mowers. (CPSC release 05-029, dated 10/29/04, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml05/05029.html)

11. CPSC Announces RRK Holdings Inc.to Pay $100,000 Penalty

The CPSC has issued a press release stating that RRK Holdings Inc. (formerly known as Roto Zip Tool Corp.) of Black Rock, WI has agreed to pay a $100,000 civil penalty to settle allegations that it violated federal reporting requirements by failing to timely inform the CPSC about problems with the handle on its power spiral saw. (CPSC release 05-022, dated 10/20/04, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml05/05022.html)

12. CPSC Announces Battat Inc. to Pay $125,000 Penalty

The CPSC has issued a press release stating that Battat Inc. of Plattsburgh, NY has agreed to pay a $125,000 civil penalty to settle allegations that it violated federal reporting requirements associated with its Bee Bop Band Drum Set. (CPSC release 05-029, dated 10/29/04, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml05/05029.html)