Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
According to washingtonpost.com, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) company, Dubai Ports World, that was attempting to take over the management operations [of certain terminals] at six U.S. ports, has announced that it will divest itself of all American interests. According to the article, it was not immediately clear how the divesture would be handled or what U.S. company would take over the operation. (03/09/06, www.washingtonpost.com )
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1. Dubai Ports World to Divest Itself of American Holdings
2. Two House Members Introduce Bill to Require Scans for U.S. Bound Containers
The Journal of Commerce Online reports that two members of the House have filed legislation, the "Sail Only if Scanned" (SOS) Act, that would prohibit ocean carriers from loading containers at a foreign port unless they go through x-ray or gamma-ray scanners and radiation detectors. (JoC Online, dated 03/09/06, www.joc.com )
3. House and Senate Pass Ukraine PNTR Bill
On March 9, 2006, the Senate passed H.R. 1053, a bill that authorizes the President to extend permanent nondiscriminatory treatment (permanent normal trade relations (NTR) treatment) to the products of the Ukraine. The House passed H.R. 1053 on March 8, 2006. (Library of Congress web site, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:HR01053:@@@L&summ2=m&; USTR press release on House passage of H.R. 1053 available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/March/USTR_Portman_Applauds_Swift_Passage_of_Ukraine_Bill_in_House.html.)
4. U.S. Announces Intention to Negotiate FTA with Malaysia
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing the intent of the Bush Administration to negotiate a free trade agreement (FTA) with Malaysia. According to the press release, FTA negotiations will begin after the expiration of a 90-day consultation period with Congress. The USTR has also posted "Trade Facts" for Malaysia, as well as a presentation on the economic and strategic benefits of U.S.-Malaysia FTA. (USTR press release, dated 03/08/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/March/United_States,_Malaysia_Announce_Intention_to_Negotiate_Free_Trade_Agreement.html; Trade Fact, dated March 2006, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Fact_Sheets/2006/asset_upload_file434_9120.pdf; U.S.-Malaysia FTA presentation, dated 03/08/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Fact_Sheets/2006/asset_upload_file802_9121.pdf.)
5. NOAA Seeks Comments on Use of Treated Wood in Aquatic Environments
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a notice on behalf of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announcing the release of two reports regarding the use of treated wood products in aquatic environments. Comments are due by 5 p.m. PST on May 2, 2006. (Reports are available at http://swr.nmfs.noaa.gov/ by scrolling down and finding the appropriate link to each report, FR Pub 03/03/06, at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-3048.pdf)
6. USTR Seeks Comments on Scope of Environmental Impact of a Korea FTA
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice on behalf of the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) initiating an environmental review of a free trade agreement (FTA) between the U.S. and Korea. Comments should be received no later than March 31, 2006. (FR Pub 03/03/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-2995.pdf)
7. APHIS Issues Draft Exotic Fruit Fly Strategic Plan for FY 2006 - 2010
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a notice announcing the availability of its draft Exotic Fruit Fly Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2006-2010. APHIS states that it will consider all comments received on or before March 20, 2006. This draft strategic plan is available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/ep/ff/ffstrategicplan0206.pdf(D/N APHIS-2006-0007, FR Pub 02/17/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-2307.pdf)
8. PHMSA Corrects Date for Seattle Hazmat Enforcement Meeting
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has issued a correction to its January 2006 notice announcing a series of public meetings addressing enhanced hazmat transportation authority contained in the Hazardous Materials Safety and Security Reauthorization Act of 2005. The January 2006 notice incorrectly stated that the Seattle meeting will begin at 3 p.m. on March 15, 2006; however, the meeting will instead begin at noon on March 15, 2006. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/30/06 news, 06013015, for BP summary of PHMSA's January 2006 notice.) (D/N PHMSA-05-22356, FR Pub 02/13/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-1317.pdf)
9. BIS Assesses Civil Penalty, Revokes Export Privileges for Orcas Int'l
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a notice announcing that it has assessed a civil penalty of $19,800 and revoked for a period of four years the export privileges of Orcas International Inc. of Flanders, NJ. BIS states that Orcas was found to have conspired to export toxins to North Korea without the required license. (FR Pub 03/09/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-2239.pdf)