Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Maritime Security Bill Resurrected in House of Representatives

2. U.S. and EU Reach Agreement on Negotiations to End Large Civil Aircraft Subsidies

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. and the European Union (EU) have reached agreement on the terms of negotiation to end large commercial aircraft subsidies. According to the press release, the U.S. and EU have agreed that negotiations should be concluded within three months and that during the negotiations there would be both a "subsidies standstill" and a "litigation standstill. In addition, both sides would refrain from taking additional steps in the World Trade Organization (WTO) process and from committing to any new government supports for large commercial aircraft. (USTR press release, dated 01/11/05, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2005/January/Statement_of_U.S._Trade_Representative_Robert_B._Zoellick_Regarding_U.S.-EU_Agreement_on_Terms_for_Negotiation_to_End_Subsidies.html.)

3. Study Documents Negative Impacts of U.S.-China Trade Deficit

The Washington File has reported that the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) has issued a new study which finds that the U.S.' growing trade deficit with China has had an increasingly negative impact on the U.S. economy, causing job losses that reach into the most technologically advanced industries in the manufacturing sector and affecting every state. (Washington File Pub 01/11/05, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2005&m=January&x=20050111173308asesuark0.7344934&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)

4. Ex-Im Bank Receives Application to Finance Export of Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment to China

The Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) of the U.S. has issued a notice announcing that it has received an application to finance the export of approximately $1.2 billion in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing equipment to dedicated foundries in China. According to the Ex-Im Bank, the U.S. exports will enable he dedicated 200 mm and 300 mm foundries to produce approximately 80,000 wafers per month of logic products. Comments were requested within 14 days of December 23, 2004. (FR Pub 12/23/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-28101.pdf)

5. Proclamation Extends Normal Trade Relations (NTR) Treatment to Armenia

President Bush has issued Proclamation 7860, which determines that Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 (Jackson-Vanik freedom of emigration requirements) no longer applies to Armenia, and extends normal trade relations (NTR) treatment to Armenia, effective January 7, 2005. (Proclamation 7860, FR Pub 01/12/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-770.pdf)

6. AMS Issues Corrections to Final Rule on U.S. Standards for Pistachio Nuts

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued corrections to its August 22, 2003 final rule which revised the U.S. Standards for Grades of Pistachio Nuts in the Shell and the U.S. Standards for Grades of Shelled Pistachio Nuts. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/29/03 news, 03082999 2, for BP summary of the final rule.) (D/N FV-98-304 C, FR Pub 12/23/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-28056.pdf)

1. FMC Reissues OTI Licenses

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has announced that it has reissued the following ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licenses:

(FMC notice, FR Pub 01/12/05, available at http://frwebgate1.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=551475191259200&WAISaction=retrieve)

1. FMC Revokes OTI Licenses

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has announced that it has revoked the following ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licenses, effective on the corresponding dates shown below:

(FMC notice, FR Pub 01/12/2005, available at http://frwebgate2.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=551785148097200&WAISaction=retrieve)

1. FMC Rescinds Orders that Previously Revoked OTI Licenses

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has announced that the orders revoking the following ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licenses are being rescinded:

(FMC notice, FR Pub 01/12/2005, available at http://frwebgate1.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=552059186388300&WAISaction=retrieve)

10. 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 (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs):

NVOCC-OTIs

Confianca Cargo & Logistics, LLC (FL)

1. A's Cargo, Inc. (CA)

Fleet Logistics, Inc. (CA)

Intlmove Inc. (FL)

Liner American Services Corp., dba

American Liner Services, dba L.A.S. (FL)

Yu Dong Logistics, Inc. (CA)

NVOCC/FF-OTIs

Riverside Logistics, Inc. (VA)

Cohesion Freight (USA) Inc. (NY)

Oceanair Logistics Corp. (FL)

Sun Express Int'l Inc. (NY)

FF-OTIs

LTR Associated Enterprises, Inc.,

dba RC Export Packers (CA)

Ship Overseas, Inc. (CA)

(FMC notice, FR Pub 01/12/2005, available at http://frwebgate1.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=552059186388100&WAISaction=retrieve)