Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
In a speech at the Border Trade Alliance Annual Conference, former Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Admiral James Loy spoke about the things that the Department of Homeland Security has done to enhance U.S. security. According to Admiral Loy, DHS has expanded hours of operations at key entry points, such as Otay Mesa, to accommodate local travel needs of border residents; DHS plans to add seven more Free and Secure Trade (FAST) lanes on the U.S.-Mexico border in the coming months; and DHS wants the percentage of U.S. bilateral trade cleared through FAST lanes (currently 15%) to increase significantly in the next year. (Admiral Loy's speech, dated 02/14/05, available at http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=4357.)
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1. Loy Outlines DHS Accomplishments to Border Trade Alliance
2. TSA Plans to Complete Field Test on Alternative Methods of Identifying Hazmat Shipments
Shippers' NewsWire reports that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) plans to soon complete a field test on alternative methods for identifying hazardous materials (hazmat) shipments to emergency response personnel. According to Shippers' NewsWire, these efforts arise out of concern that external hazmat placards may serve as potential advertisements to terrorists. (Shippers' NewsWire Pub 02/03/05, www.americanshipper.com)
3. USTR Fact Sheet on Sugar in the DR-CAFTA
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a Fact Sheet regarding sugar in the U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA). Among other things, the USTR states that in the first year, increased sugar market access for Central America and the Dominican Republic under the DR-CAFTA will amount to about 1.2% of current U.S. sugar consumption, growing very slowly over 15 years to about 1.7% of current consumption. (Fact Sheet, dated 01/26/05, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Fact_Sheets/2005/Fact_Sheet_on_Sugar_in_CAFTA-DR.html)
4. ITA Announces Informational Meeting on 3Rs Int'l Industry Symposium
The International Trade Administration (ITA) has announced that the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing at the Department of Commerce will host an informational meeting on March 2, 2005 in Washington D.C., regarding the 3Rs (reduce waste, reuse, and recycle) International Industry Symposium which will be hosted by the Government of Japan in Tokyo on April 28, 2005. (FR Pub 02/18/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-3304.pdf)
5. USTR Announces Meeting of Automotive Equipment and Capitol Goods Advisory Committee
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced that the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Automotive Equipment and Capitol Goods (ITAC-2) will hold a partially open meeting on March 16, 2005 in Las Vegas, NV in order to discuss free trade agreements, World Trade Organization (WTO) talks, etc. (FR Pub 02/22/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-3237.pdf)
6. Int'l Telecommunication Advisory Committee Meeting
The State Department announced that the International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) was to meet on January 27, 2005 in Washington, D.C. to discuss matters related to the ITU Council's Ad Hoc Group on Cost Recovery for Satellite Network Filings that will take place on March 21 and 22, 2005 in Switzerland. (State P/N 4930, FR Pub 01/13/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-742.pdf)
7. State Dept's Shipping Coordinating Committee Meeting
The State Department announced that the Shipping Coordinating Committee (SHC) was to conduct an open meeting on February 8, 2005, in Washington, D.C. in preparation for the 48th session of the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment (DE) to be held at England on February 21-25, 2005. (Public Notice 4931, FR Pub 01/13/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-743.pdf)