Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Journal of Commerce reports that regionalization of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a piece of unfinished business that has the import community on its toes at year-end. According to the article, DHS' plans for regionalization are still in the works and that the trade community will be consulted before it takes effect. The article notes that DHS will make no changes until Congress returns in January 2005 and that DHS must report to Congress 15 days before its makes any major management changes. (JoC dated 12/20/04, www.joc.com.)
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1. Import Community Worries About DHS Regionalization
2. NCTO Says Chinese Apparel Prices Significantly Below U.S./World Prices
The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) has issued a press release announcing that it has released statistics showing that China is exporting trousers, shirts, and underwear and other apparel at 76% below U.S. producer prices and 58% below the prices of other exporting countries for the same garments. (NCTO press release, dated 12/15/04, available at http://www.ncto.org/newsroom/pr200414.asp.
4. Major Ports on Indian Sub-Continent Resumed Operations on Dec. 27, 2004
The Journal of Commerce Online (JoC Online) has reported that major ports in the Indian sub-continent resumed operations late Monday, December 27, 2004 following tsunamis. According to JoC Online, no large-scale damage was reported at the Indian ports of Chennai and Tuticorin or at Colombo, Sri Lanka. However, the smaller Sri Lankan ports of Galle, Trincomalee, Kankasanturai, and Point Pedro will remain shut for damage assessments and until staff returns to work. (JoC Online Pub 12/28/04, www.joc.com)
5. NIST Requests Recommendations for Focus Areas in Upcoming U.S.-China Workshop
The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued a notice requesting the submission of recommendations for focus areas in a prospective U.S.-China Workshop on Standards and Conformity Assessment. Recommendations must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on January 15, 2005. (D/N 041119324-4324-01, FR Pub 12/17/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-27646.pdf)
6. FTC Final Rule Adjusts Certain Federal Civil Penalties for Inflation
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a final rule which, effective January 21, 2005, makes adjustments to certain civil penalty amounts within the FTC's jurisdiction, as required by law. The FTC explains that these adjustments reflect inflation since the penalty amounts were last adjusted. (FR Pub 12/22/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-27980.pdf)
7. Review Initiated on Impact of Proposed FTA with UAE on U.S. Employment
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR's) Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) has announced that the USTR and Department of Labor are initiating a review of the impact of the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on U.S. employment, including labor markets. Written comments are due by noon on February 16, 2005. (FR Pub 12/21/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-27819.pdf)
8. USTR Initiates Environmental Review of Proposed FTA with UAE
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced that, through the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC), it is initiating an environmental review of the proposed U.S.-UAE free trade agreement (FTA). The TPSC is requesting written comments by February 25, 2005 on what should be included in the scope of the review. (FR Pub 12/22/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-28023.pdf)