Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
American Shipper reports that on November 19, 2005, the House of Representatives passed the Deficit Reduction Act (H.R. 4241), which included a provision to repeal the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act (known as the Byrd Amendment). The article notes that H.R. 4241 will now go to a House-Senate conference, and that opposition to the Byrd Amendment's repeal remains strong in the Senate. (ShipperNewsWire, dated 11/21/05, www.americanshipper.com )
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1. House Votes to Dump Byrd Amendment
2. President Bush Transmits U.S.-Bahrain FTA Legislation to Congress
On November 17, 2005, President Bush transmitted to Congress legislation and supporting documents to implement the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (FTA). See ITT's Online Archives or 11/16/05 news, 05111699, 2 for BP summary on the Senate Finance Committee's approval of recommendations on proposed legislation to implement the U.S.-Bahrain FTA, with link to summary on the House Ways and Means Committee's informal approval of a draft Bahrain FTA bill.) (Presidential message to Congress, dated 11/17/05, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/11/20051117-3.html.)
3. USTR Announced Launch of West Africa Cotton Improvement Program
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced the launch of the West Africa Cotton Improvement Program (WACIP) aimed at the cotton sectors of Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, and Senegal. According to USTR, WACIP will focus on various actions, including the establishment of a West African regional training program for ginners, improved linkages between U.S. and West African agricultural research organizations involved with cotton, etc. (USTR press release, dated 11/10/05, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2005/November/US_Announces_Launch_of_West_Africa_Cotton_Improvement_Program.html.)
3. U.S. and Canada Reach Full Open-Skies Aviation Agreement
The Washington File reports that the U.S. and Canada have reached a full Open Skies aviation agreement that will permit unrestricted service by the airlines of each country to, from, and beyond each other's territory. The agreement is expected to formally take effect in September 2006. (Washington File, dated 11/15/05, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2005&m=November&x=20051115161557GLnesnoM0.9502985&t=wh/wh-latest.html)
5. EU Readies Itself on AD Action Against Footwear Imports from China, Etc.
Tdctrade.com reports that the European Union (EU) is preparing to adopt antidumping measures against leather and reinforced shoes from mainland China, after having found 'compelling evidence of dumping." The article states that these measures will also affect the industries in Vietnam and India. (tdctrade.com, available at http://www.tdctrade.com/alert/eu0523.htm )
6. BIS Announces Settlement Agreements for Various EAR Violations
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued press releases announcing that it has reached settlement agreements with the following companies regarding certain alleged violations of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (see press releases for complete details):
| Company | Alleged Violation | Civil Penalty | Press Release |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcoa Europe SA (AESA)- Switzerland | Violated antiboycott provisions (failing to report receipt of Israel boycott request in timely manner) regarding sales to UAE | $6,000 | 10/24/05 |
| Sermatech International, Inc. (PA) | Exported technical data regarding coating, brazing, and repair welding on components of gas turbines to South Korea with an expired export license | $17,500 | 10/24/05 |
| Sirchie Fingerprinting Labs, Inc. (NC) | Unauthorized exportation of crime control equipment to China | $400,000 | 10/05/05 |
| Sunford Trading, Ltd. (Hong Kong) | Unlicensed export of an industrial vacuum furnace to China | $33,000 | 09/26/05 |
| Price Brothers (UK) Limited (United Kingdom) | Unlicensed reexports of U.S.-origin machinery spare parts to Libya | $101,500 | 09/26/05 |
| Bell Lumber and Pole Company (MN) | Unlicensed export of unprocessed Western red cedar to Canada | $10,400 | 09/26/05 |
In addition, each company has received a denial of export privileges for a certain time period (Sirchie: five years), (Sunford: three years).
See ITT Online Archives or 09/01/05 news, 05190199 5, for BP summary of BIS order imposing export sanctions on Sunford Trading, Ltd.
These and other BIS press releases are available at www.bis.doc.gov/news/index.htm
7. Justice Dept. Announces Charges/Actions on Export Violations
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued press releases announcing certain export violations and an alleged export violation committed by companies or individuals, and the actions taken by the Department of Commerce (see press releases for complete details):
| Company or Individual | Violation/ Alleged Violation/Action | Press Release |
|---|---|---|
| John H. Carrington of Raleigh, NC | Allegedly exported crime control equipment to China without required authorization | 10/05/05 |
| Ning Wen of Manitowoc, WI | Convicted of nine counts of conspiring to export more than $500,000 in restricted electronic components to China | 09/21/05 |
| LPPAI, Ltd. dba PA, Inc. (TX) | Pled guilty to attempted export of specialty alloy pipes to Iran without a license | 09/15/05 |
| Manten Electronics, Inc. (NJ) | Pled guilty to charges that four company owners/operators used their business to illegally transfer sensitive national-security controlled items to research institutes in China | 09/13/05 |
See ITT Online Archives or 10/11/05 news, 05101199 7, for BP summary of BIS order denying certain export privileges of John H. Carrington.
See ITT Online Archives or 08/03/05 news, 05080339 6, for BP summary of BIS notice denying export privileges to Ning Wen and two other companies and three other individuals.
These and other DOJ press releases are available at www.bis.doc.gov/news/index.htm