Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
According to World Customs Organization (WCO) sources, the WCO Secretariat is preparing a new publication that will present all of the amendments to the Nomenclature appended to the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (Harmonized System or HS) that are scheduled to enter into force on January 1, 2007. WCO sources state that the amendments will be commented on individually, item by item, and all of the amended legal texts will be reproduced and their background, nature and scope will be briefly explained. According to these WCO sources, publication of the document is expected in late 2005/early 2006.
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1. WCO to Issue Explanatory Text on 2007 HS Amendments in Late 2005/Early 2006
(See ITT's Online Archives or 04/25/05 and 04/26/05 news, 05042505 and 05042610, for BP summaries of the International Trade Commission's (ITC's) preliminary report (Inv. No. 1205-6) on the proposed 2007 amendments to the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). The ITC is scheduled to submit its final report to the President on March 15, 2006.)
2. Judge Postpones Hearing on Closing Border to Canadian Cattle, Etc.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reports that, in light of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals July 14 lifting of the preliminary injunction on the USDA's final rule on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) minimal risk regions, a Montana judge postponed a July 27, 2005 hearing into whether the U.S. border should be permanently closed to Canadian cattle. According to CBC, the judge postponed the arguments from R-CALF because the Appeals Court had yet to issue its opinion and therefore the judge had yet to determine whether further hearings are necessary. It should be noted that the Appeals Court has now issued its opinion. (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/19/05 news, 05071920, for BP summary on the lifting of the injunction.) (CBC article, dated 07/20/05, available at http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/07/20/rcalf050720.html; Appeals Court Opinion, filed 07/25/05, available at http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/ca9/newopinions.nsf/3A12983071711CF4882570490055E969/$file/0535264.pdf?openelement)
3. EU Closes Border to Chinese-Made Sweaters to Avoid Overfilling Quota
The Wall Street Journal reports that on July 21, 2005 the European Union (EU) closed its borders to Chinese-made sweaters in order to avoid overfilling the quota which was imposed by the EU in June 2005. The article notes that European sources have indicated that another two or three other categories are expected to reach their quota limit by late August 2005. (WSJ dated 07/22/05, www.wsj.com.)
4. U.S. Offers Funding for Security and Safety at Moroccan Port of Tangier
According to the State Department's Washington File, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has awarded a grant of $374,000 to the Tangier Mediterranean Special Agency to fund technical assistance for security for international shipping at the port of Tangier. (Washington File, dated 07/25/05, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2005&m=July&x=20050725151712cpataruK0.5095484&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html.)
5. USTR Holds Talks on Softwood Lumber With Canadian Foreign Minister
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that on July 18-20, 2005, USTR Portman and Canada's Foreign Minister met in Washington for discussions on the potential for resolution of the softwood lumber dispute. Both sides intend to use the coming weeks for further consultations with stakeholders and will seek to meet again to discuss this dispute in Ottawa by late August 2005. (USTR Press Release, dated 07/20/05, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2005/July/USTR_Portman_Canadian_Trade_Minister_Peterson_Statements_on_Current_Lumber_Talks.html)
6. DOL Seeks Info on Efforts to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor
The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a notice requesting information on the efforts of certain countries to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. DOL explains that this information will be used in the preparation of an annual report on certain trade beneficiary countries' implementation of international commitments to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. Information should be submitted by 5 p.m. on August 19, 2005. (FR Pub 07/25/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-14566.pdf)
7. Homeland Security Advisory Council to Hold Teleconference on August 10
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a notice announcing that on August 10, 2005, the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) will hold a teleconference for the purposes of receiving a report and recommendations from the HSAC Private Sector Information Sharing Task Force which will report on the topic of information sharing with the private sector. Following the Task Force report, the HSAC will hold deliberations and discussions among HSAC members. (DHS notice, FR Pub 07/25/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-14603.pdf.)
8. President's Export Council's Export Administration Subcommittee to Meet
The President's Export Council Subcommittee on Export Administration will hold a partially open meeting on September 22, 2005 in Washington, DC. The agenda for the public portion of this meeting includes a Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and Export Administration update, Export enforcement update, etc. (BIS notice, FR Pub 0/21/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-14414.pdf.)