Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Wall Street Journal reports that despite the threat of steep tariffs and other trade barriers, retailers are still flocking to China to buy garments. Some hope to buy before more protectionist barriers kick in on some clothing categories. Others plan to source in China during "window periods," the time after one safeguard quota ends, and another on the same category begins. The article adds that foreign buyers should have more room to buy from China in 2006, as quotas imposed in 2006 would be calculated from a larger 12-month base, due to the sharp rise in imports during the first five months of 2005. (WSJ, dated 05/27/05, www.wsj.com )
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1. Unfazed by Barriers, Retailers Flock to China for Clothes
2. ITC Report on Probable Economic Effect of Duty-Free Entry for Goods from GSP Countries, Etc.
The International Trade Commission (ITC) has released a public version of its confidential report on the probable economic effect of providing duty-free treatment to certain products from Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)-eligible countries, in connection with the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR's) 2004 GSP Annual Review. According to ITC sources, the public version of this report does not contain the ITC's advice due to national security reasons. These sources also state that most HTS modifications resulting from this review are expected to take effect July 1, 2005. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/18/05 news, 05021815, for BP summary of the ITC's institution of this investigation, including a list of the subject products' HTS numbers.) (ITC Press Release No. 05-056, dated 05/19/05, available at http://www.usitc.gov/ext_relations/news_release/2005/er0519cc1.htm; Public version of report, Inv. No. 332-466, Publication 3772, dated May 2005, available at http://hotdocs.usitc.gov/docs/pubs/332/pub3772.PDF)
(In April 2005, the ITC instituted a similar investigation (No. 332-467) for four products from certain GSP-eligible countries. ITC sources note that this "special" investigation was instituted primarily due to the December 2004 tsunami. These sources also state that its public report for this investigation is expected to be released on May 31, 2005, and that most HTS modifications resulting from this review are expected to take effect July 1, 2005. See ITT's Online Archives or 04/20/05 news, 05042015, for BP summary of the ITC's institution of this "special" investigation, including a list of the subject products' HTS numbers.)
3. GAO Issues Report & Correspondence on Arms Export Control Problems
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a report on the arms export control system in the post-9/11 environment and correspondence to the Chairman of the House Committee on International Relations concerning certain vulnerabilities and inefficiencies with respect to arms export control in the post-9/11 security environment. The report (GAO-05-234, dated February 2005) is available at http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-234 and the correspondence (GAO-05-468R, dated 04/07/05) is available at http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-468R
4. FSIS/FDA Proposed Rule on General Principles for Establishing, Revising, or Eliminating Food Standards
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have issued a proposed rule which would establish a set of general principles that would be used by the agencies in considering whether a petition to establish, revise, or eliminate a food standard will be the basis for a proposed rule. Comments are due by August 18, 2005. (D/N 95-051P and 1995N-0294, FR Pub 05/20/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-9958.pdf)
5. President Proclaims May 15 - 21, 2005 as World Trade Week
The President has issued a proclamation designating May 15-21, 2005 as "World Trade Week." According to the President, this observance was intended to provide an opportunity to recognize the benefits of free and fair trade. (White House release, dated 05/12/05, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/05/print/20050512-8.html)