Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Shippers Associations Withdraw CAFC Petitions for Review of FMC's NVOCC Ruling

2. Concern Over Escalating U.S.-Mexico Border Violence

The Washington File reports that the U.S. ambassador to Mexico has expressed concern about escalating violence along the U.S.-Mexico border. According to the Washington File, most of the violence appears to be among drug traffickers; however, rising violence could have an adverse effect on cross-border exchange, tourism, and commerce in the region. (Washington File Pub 01/27/05, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2005&m=January&x=20050127124827AEneerG0.8047907&t=wh/wh-latest.html)

3. Federal Register Publication of USTR's List of Goods for Which Duties May Be Increased in Response to EU Restrictions on Rice

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has published in the Federal Register the list of goods notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO) for which the U.S. intends to raise duties for all "Column 1" countries, in response to the European Union's (EU's) restrictions on U.S. rice. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/02/05 news, 05020210, for BP summary of the USTR's press release on this matter.) (FR Pub 02/04/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-2196.pdf)

4. FMCSA Issues Addendum to Regulatory Impact Analysis for Proposed Rule on Hours of Service for Drivers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has published an addendum to its original Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) for its proposed rule on hours-of-service (HOS) for commercial motor vehicle drivers, in light of new Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requirements regarding RIAs. Comments continue to be due by March 10, 2005. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/28/05 news, 05012825, for BP summary of the proposed rule.) (D/N FMCSA-2004-19608; formerly FMCSA-1997-2350, FR Pub 02/04/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-2185.pdf)

5. Recent CPSC Press Releases on Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued separate press releases (dated 12/01/04-12/28/04) 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):