Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Journal of Commerce reports that a working group of the U.N. Commission on International Law (UNCITRAL) was scheduled to meet in New York April 16-27, 2007 to begin the third reading of a draft agreement to cover cargo liability in ocean transportation. The U.S. delegation was seeking input from truckers, railroads, and shippers for both a new agreement and for the political battle to come - when Congress must be persuaded to ratify it. (JoC, 03/05/07, www.joc.com)
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1. U.N. Commission on Int'l Law Met in NY, Read Draft Agreement on Ocean Cargo Liability
2. China's Huge Labor Force and 1:8 Exchange Rate
The Journal of Commerce reported on various statistics regarding China and its economy including the following: (1) China's gross domestic product measured in terms of purchasing power parity was estimated at $10 trillion in 2006; (2) In 2006, its labor force was estimated at 798 million; and (3) China's exchange rate is US$1 to about 8 yuan. (JoC, 06/04/07, available at www.joc.com)
3. EPA Allocates Allowances for Import and Production of Class I ODSs
The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule, effective June 12, 2007, allocating essential use allowances for import and production of Class I stratospheric ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) for calendar year 2007. Essential use allowances enable a person to obtain controlled Class I ODSs as part of an exemption to the regulatory ban on the production and import of these chemicals. (EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0159; FRL-8325-5, FR Pub 06/12/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-11319.pdf)
4. BIS Temporarily Denies Certain Export Privileges for Activities Related to Export Without License
The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued an Order denying certain export privileges for 180 days from June 12, 2007 against Cirrus Electronics dba Cirrus Electronics LLC; Cirrus Electronics Pte Ltd.; Cirrus Electronics Marketing (P) Ltd.; Parthasarathy Sudarshan; Mythili Gopal; Akn Prasad; and Sampath Sundar for activities related to the export of items without the required license to organizations in India that are on the Entity List as set forth in the Export Administration Regulations. (BIS Order, FR Pub 06/12/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-2899.pdf)
5. ITA Issues U.S. Export Fact Sheet for April 2007
The International Trade Administration has issued a fact sheet containing April 2007 export statistics and a spotlight on trade within the Western Hemisphere. ITA reports, among other things, that U.S. exports of goods and services grew by 10.8% year-to-date, and that Congressional passage of free trade agreements with Colombia, Peru, and Panama, and implementation with Costa Rica, will add markets with a gross domestic product of more than $260 billion to U.S. free trade partnerships in the Americas. (Fact sheet, released 06/08/07, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_003024)
6. CBP is Seeking Comments on Information Collections
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
| Agency | Information Collection | Comments Due |
|---|---|---|
| CBP 1 | Israel Free Trade Agreement | 07/11/07 |
| CBP 2 | Alternative Inspection Services/FAST Commercial Driver Application | 07/11/07 |
| CBP 3 | Regulations Relating to Recordation and Enforcement of Trademarks and Copyrights | 07/11/07 |
| CBP 4 | Importation of Ethyl Alcohol for Non-Beverage Purposes | 07/11/07 |
CBP 1 Information Collection (FR Pub 06/11/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-11213.pdf
CBP 2 Information Collection (FR Pub 06/11/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-11214.pdf
CBP 3 Information Collection (FR Pub 06/11/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-11216.pdf
CBP 4 Information Collection (FR Pub 06/11/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-11218.pdf