Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has posted a statement expressing disappointment regarding the collapse of recent Doha Round negotiations in Potsdam. According to MSNBC, the World Trade Organization's four biggest powers (G4) - the U.S., India, Brazil, and the European Union - left negotiations early after failing to break a six-year logjam between rich and poor countries over eliminating barriers to trade in farm produce and manufactured goods. (USTR's statement, dated 06/21/07, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2007/June/Statement_from_USTR_Ambassador_Susan_C_Schwab_USDA_Secretary_Mike_Johanns_on_Doha_Round.html. MSNBC article, dated 06/22/207, available at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19368605/)
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1. U.S. Disappointed with Outcome of Latest Doha Round Negotiations
2. Congress May Have to Break Stalemate on Mandatory AES
Shippers' NewsWire reports that Congress may have to referee aspects of the 18-month impasse between the Department of Homeland Security and the Census Bureau over proposed regulations for mandatory filing of export declarations (mandatory Automated Export System). Regarding confidentiality of export information, DHS Deputy Secretary Jackson implied that if the White House sides with DHS, it could seek a legislative exception that allows for blanket sharing of export data for national security purposes. (SNW, dated 06/21/07, www.americanshipper.com)
3. U.S., Vietnam Sign Trade and Investment Framework Agreement
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. and Vietnam signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) on June 21, 2007 that will create a platform on which to further expand and deepen bilateral trade and investment ties between the two countries. (USTR press release, dated 06/21/07, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2007/June/United_States_Vietnam_Sign_Trade_Investment_Framework_Agreement.html)
4. U.S., Georgia Sign Trade and Investment Framework Agreement
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. and Georgia have signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement that will provide a forum to address trade issues and will help build trade and investment relations between the two countries, and which mandates the formation of a joint U.S.-Georgia Council on Trade and Investment which will address a wide range of trade and investment issues including trade capacity building, intellectual property, labor, and environmental issues. (USTR press release, dated 06/20/07, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2007/June/United_States_Georgia_Sign_Trade_Investment_Framework_Agreement.html)
5. AAPA to Hold Port Security Seminar and Expo on July 18-20 in Boston
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) will be holding a port security seminar and expo in Boston on July 18-20, 2007. AAPA's seminar will address key security and safety challenges confronting public seaports. Registration and information available at http://www.aapa-ports.org/Programs/seminarschedule.cfm?itemnumber=1139
6. WTO Announces Publication of "World Tariff Profiles"
The World Trade Organization has issued a press release announcing the publication of World Tariff Profiles, which is a single document detailing data on "bound" and applied tariffs of the 150 WTO members. The WTO states that the standardized presentation lends itself to easy analysis and comparison between countries, sectors, and bound and applied duties. World Tariff Profiles is available in various formats through the WTO Website at the link provided below. (WTO press release, dated 06/18/07, available http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news07_e/tariff_profiles_june07_e.htm)
7. State Department Lists Countries Eligible for Trade in Rough Diamonds
The State Department has issued a public notice identifying all the participants eligible for trade in rough diamonds under the Clean Diamond Trade Act of 2003 and their respective Importing and Exporting Authorities. According to the State Department, this notice revises the previously published list of December 26, 2006 to include Liberia. (Public Notice 5839, FR Pub 06/21/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-12034.pdf)
8. Various Agencies Seek Comments on Information Collections
Various U.S. government agencies are 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 |
|---|---|---|
| FMC | Form FMC-18, Application for a License as an Ocean Transportation Intermediary | 08/07/07 |
| FTC | Identify Theft Report Definition Rule | 07/09/07 |
| ATF | Inventories, Licensed Explosives Importers, Manufacturers, Dealers, and Permittees | 08/13/07 |
| BIS 1 | Five-Year Record Retention Period | 08/13/07 |
| BIS 2 | Approval of Triangular Transactions Involving Commodities Covered by a U.S. Import Certificate | 08/13/07 |
| FDA | Label Comprehension Study | 07/16/07 |
| APHIS | Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza; Voluntary Control Program and Payment of Indemnity | 07/13/07 |
FMC Information Collection (FR Pub 06/08/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-11067.pdf
FTC Information Collection (FR Pub 06/08/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-11049.pdf
ATF Information Collection (FR Pub 06/12/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-11308.pdf
BIS 1 Information Collection (FR Pub 06/13/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/13jun20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-11372.pdf
BIS 2 Information Collection (FR Pub 06/13/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/13jun20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-11373.pdf
FDA Information Collection (FR Pub 06/13/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-11528.pdf
APHIS Information Collection (FR Pub 06/13/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/13jun20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-11329.pdf