Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

Business Week reports that an analysis of import price data published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals offshoring to low-cost countries has created about $66 billion in "phantom GDP," and that such import price data mistakenly shows that moving jobs overseas hasn't hurt the U.S. economy. Business Week states that phantom Gross Domestic Product helps explain why U.S. workers aren't benefiting more as their companies grow ever more efficient. (Business Week, June 18, 2007)

3. Bush Pledges to Work for Legislation on "Reconstruction Opportunity Zones" for Certain Products from Pakistan, Afghanistan

Reuters reports that Pakistan hopes the U.S. will soon pass legislation to allow Pakistan and Afghanistan to export some textiles, clothing and other goods to the U.S. duty-free. President Bush pledged to work with Congress on legislation to create "reconstruction opportunity zones" to provide job opportunities in the parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan with heightened military activity. (Reuters, dated 08/06/07, available at http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN0644758320070806)

4. China Bans Lead-Tainted Exports from Two Toy Manufacturers

The New York Times reports that China has temporarily banned lead-tainted exports by two toy manufacturers, Lee Der Industrial Co., Ltd. (sold under the Fisher-Price brand in the U.S.) and Hansheng Wood Products, whose products were subject to major recalls in the U.S., in Beijing's latest effort to repair its reputation as a safe supplier. (New York Times, dated 08/09/07, available at http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-China-Tainted-Products.html)

5. USTR Approves Baseband Chips Exclusion, Cease/Desist Orders

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a press release announcing that the USTR has decided to approve the limited exclusion order and cease and desist order that the International Trade Commission issued against Qualcomm Incorporated in its investigation of certain baseband processor chips and chipsets, transmitter and receiver (radio) chips, power control chips, and products containing same, including cellular telephone handsets. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/14/07 news, 07061415, for BP summary of the ITC's limited exclusion order and cease and desist order against Qualcomm.) (USTR press release, dated 08/06/07, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2007/August/Schwab_Decision_on_the_ITC_Investigation_of_Certain_Processor_Chips.html)

6. USDA Grants Protection to 19 New Plant Varieties

The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued two press releases announcing that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued certificates of protection to developers of 19 new varieties of seed-reproduced and tuber-propagated plants, which include bean, cotton, cowpea, fescue, pea, peanut, barley, and lettuce. The certificate owners will have the exclusive right to reproduce, sell, import, and export their products in the U.S. for the duration of protection. (AMS press release nos. 135-07 and 141-07, dated 08/06/07, available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/news/135-07.htm and http://www.ams.usda.gov/news/141-07.htm)

7. Commerce Secretary to Lead Trade Mission to Vietnam

The International Trade Administration has posted a notice announcing that the Secretary of Commerce will lead a senior-level U.S. business delegation to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from November 4-8, 2007, to promote U.S. exports to Vietnam's leading industry sectors. The ITA states that the application deadline is September 12, 2007, and between 20 and 30 companies will be selected to participate in the mission. (FR Pub 08/09/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-15576.pdf)

8. CBP Chicago Pipelines on the GSP/AGOA, FDA Conditional Release, Etc.

CBP at the Port of Chicago has issued the following Pipelines:

Modifications Under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) (Pipeline 07-29, dated 07/05/07)

Revised Customs Regulations to Accommodate the 30 Day Conditional Release of Products for Which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is Authorized to Determine Admissibility (Pipeline 07-24, dated 07/03/07)

Relocation of Export Control Desk to the Chicago Port Office in Rosemont, IL (Pipeline 07-28, dated 07/05/07)

(Chicago Pipelines available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)

9. CBP Re-Accredits/Re-Approves Two Companies as Commercial Gauger and/or Laboratory

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice stating that it has re-accredited and re-approved the following companies as a commercial gauger and/or laboratory for petroleum and petroleum products, organic chemicals and vegetable oils, and to test petroleum and petroleum products for customs purposes, in accordance with 19 CFR 151.12 and/or 151.13, on the effective dates listed (see individual notice for dates of next triennial inspections):

(CBP Dec. 07-60 and 07-61, FR Pub 07/23/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-14136.pdf)