Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Trade Negotiators to Discuss IPR Protection Progress With China

2. U.S. Seeks to Eliminate Global Tariffs on Medicines and Medical Devices

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. joined Switzerland and Singapore in introducing a proposal that would eliminate the tariffs imposed on the trade of medicines and medical devices. According to the press release, almost $33 billion in pharmaceuticals and $23 billion in medical equipment are still traded subject to duty, predominantly by developing countries. (USTR Press Release, dated 02/27/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/February/United_States_Seeks_to_Eliminate_Global_Tariffs_on_Medicines_Medical_Devices.html)

3. Dubai Ports World's Delays Take Over

The Washington File reports that the White House has welcomed a decision by Dubai Ports World (DP World) to delay taking over management of certain terminals in six U.S. seaports. A pending March 2, 2006 deal would place the company in a position to operate certain port terminals in New York City, Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Orleans, and Miami. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/27/06 news, 06022730 and 06022799 2, for BP summaries of the details of this transaction and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's suit to stop this sale, respectively.) (Washington File Pub 02/24/06, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=February&x=20060224172052berehellek0.9098932&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)

4. U.S. to Issue E-Passports to American Public by End of 2006

The Washington File reports that the U.S. is issuing electronic passports as part of a pilot program for diplomatic passports, and plans to issue U.S. e-passports to the American public at all domestic passport agencies by the end of 2006. According to U.S. State Department officials, the e-passport is the same as a traditional passport with the addition of a small integrated circuit (or chip) embedded in the back cover-combining face recognition and chip technology-in order to facilitate international travel for U.S. citizens while enhancing border security. (Washington File Pub 02/27/06, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/usinfo/Archive/2006/Feb/27-11590.html)

5. FDA & FSIS Meeting Regarding Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will sponsor a public meeting on March 6, 2006 in College Park, MD to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items to be discussed at the 38th Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants (CCFAC), which will be held in the Hague, the Netherlands, April 24-28, 2006. (FSIS Press Release, dated 02/13/06, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_021306_01/index.asp)

6. FSIS Meeting Regarding Codex Committee on General Principles

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced that it will be sponsoring a public meeting on March 21, 2006 in order to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions that will be discussed at the 23rd Session of the Codex Committee on General Principles of the Codex Alimentarius Commission which will be held in Paris on April 10-14, 2006. (FSIS notice, FR Pub 02/27/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-2683.pdf.)

7. FMC Lists OTI Applications

The FMC has issued a notice announcing that the following companies have filed applications for non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) ocean transportation intermediary (OTI), NVOCC and ocean freight forwarder (FF) OTI, or FF OTI licenses:

FMC notice (FR Pub 02/15/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-2162.pdf.