Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Office of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release stating that the World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body has found in favor of the U.S. in a challenge of Mexico's antidumping (AD) duties on U.S. long grain white rice and several provisions of Mexico's trade laws. (USTR release, dated 11/29/05, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2005/November/United_States_Wins_WTO_Challenge_Against_Mexican_Rice_Duties_Trade_Laws.html )
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1. US Wins WTO Challenge Against Mexican Rice Duties and Trade Laws
2. USTR Announces New Special Textile Negotiator
The Office of USTR has issued a press release announcing that Scott Quesenberry will join USTR as the Special Textile Negotiator, beginning Monday, December 5, 2005. Quesenberry replaces David Spooner, who, according to Washington Trade Daily, has been nominated as the next Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Import Administration. (USTR release, dated 11/29/05, at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2005/November/USTR_Portman_Announces_New_Special_Textile_Negotiator.html ; WTD, dated 11/30/05, www.washingtontradedaily.com )
3. WTO: Least-Developed Countries Have Till July 2013 to Apply IPR Rules
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has issued a press release announcing that least-developed countries have been given an extension until July 1, 2013 to provide certain protection for trademarks, copyright, patents, and other intellectual property specified in the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement). Prior to this extension, least-developed countries were to have implemented such protections by January 1, 2006. (WTO press release, dated 11/29/05, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres05_e/pr424_e.htm)
4. USDA Reduces Poultry Import Restrictions on British Columbia
According to Shippers' NewsWire, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reduced import restrictions that were placed on poultry from British Columbia on November 19, 2005. The restrictions were put in place after a strain of avian influenza was detected in commercial ducks. The quarantine area for poultry imports has now been modified to a five-kilometer zone within British Columbia. (Shippers' NewsWire Pub 11/29/05, www.americanshipper.com)
5. BIS Regulations and Procedures Technical Advisory Committee Meeting
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has announced that the Regulations and Procedures Technical Advisory Committee (RPTAC) will meet on December 6, 2005 in Washington DC. The agenda for this meeting includes an update on missile technology controls, Iraq and Libya country policy, regulations, etc. (BIS notice, FR Pub 11/23/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-23254.pdf.)
6. State Department Announces Upcoming Telecommunications Meeting
The State Department has issued a notice announcing an upcoming meeting of the U.S. International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC). According to the State Department, ITAC will meet on December 15, 2005 in Washington, DC to discuss matters related to the recently concluded World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). (Public Notice 5215, FR Pub 11/28/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/E5-6617.pdf.)