Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The House Ways and Means Committee has issued a press release announcing that on May 17, 2007, a bipartisan group of 42 lawmakers filed a Section 301 petition calling on the U.S. Trade Representative to take strong action to end China's continued undervaluation of its currency, and to consider taking action against the undervalued Japanese yen. The press release notes that members of Congress filed similar requests with the Bush Administration in September 2004 and April 2005. (Committee press release, dated 05/17/07, available at http://waysandmeans.house.gov/news.asp?formmode=release&id=515.)
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1. Lawmakers File Section 301 Petition Against Unfair Currency Manipulation
2. BNSF "Green" Proposals for New Near-Dock Rail Transfer Yard in LA/LB
The Journal of Commerce reports that BNSF Railway has made certain "green" proposals in order to secure its approval for the construction of a proposed near-dock rail transfer yard near the Los Angeles/Long Beach port. BNSF plans to use modern low-emission trucks that the railroad will control, which will meet the emission standards contained in the LA/LB Clean Air Protection Plan. Also, the proposal calls for the trucks to be equipped with global-positioning tracking devices that would allow BNSF to enforce a routing plan designed to minimize the impact on residential communities. (JoC, dated 05/14/07, available at www.joc.com)
3. USTR Reports Increase in Trade Between U.S. and Sub-Saharan Africa
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a press release announcing that it has submitted its 2007 Comprehensive Report on U.S. Trade and Investment Policy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa and Implementation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), noting that two-way trade between the U.S. and sub-Saharan African countries increased 17% in 2006 over 2005, among other things. (USTR press release, dated 05/18/07, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2007/May/2007_AGOA_Report_Shows_Growth_in_US_Africa_Trade.html)
4. President's Export Council to Hold Open Meeting June 7, 2007
The International Trade Administration has issued a notice announcing an open meeting of the President's Export Council on June 7, 2007 in Washington, DC to discuss topics related to export expansion, including trade priorities and initiatives, subcommittee activity, and proposed letters of recommendation to the President. (FR Pub 05/18/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-9578.pdf)
5. U.S.-China Dialogue to Cover Energy, Currency, Trade, Etc. on May 22-23
The Washington File reports that the U.S. and China will meet for the second time as part of a biannual Strategic Economic Dialogue from May 22-23 in Washington, DC. U.S. officials will focus on energy, currency, and trade as well as shifting China from export-driven growth toward consumption-driven expansion, reforms of the Chinese financial sector, intellectual property rights protection, and air services, etc. (Washington File Pub 05/18/07, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2007&m=May&x=20070518183526saikceinawz0.8316004)
6. ITA Holds Explanatory Meeting for MDCP Competition June 6, 2007, Solicits Proposals by July 13, 2007
The International Trade Administration has issued a notice announcing a public meeting on June 6, 2007 in Washington, DC to discuss the project awards available under its the Market Development Cooperator Program, with proposals due by July 13, 2007. See notice for details on eligibility, cost-sharing requirements, selection process, etc. (ITA D/N 070510110-7111-01, FR Pub 05/18/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-2484.pdf)
7. OMB Approves FDA Information Collection on Cosmetic Labeling Regs
The Food and Drug Administration has issued a notice announcing that the Office of Management and Budget has approved a Food and Drug Administration information collection entitled "Cosmetic Labeling Regulations". The OMB approval is set to expire on May 31, 2010. (FDA Information Collection, FR Pub 05/16/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-9436.pdf