Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. CALIF ARB Adopts New Measures to Reduce Truck Pollution at State Ports

2. Slow LA Port 2007 Container Volumes Were a Trend in Eastbound Pacific

Cargonews Asia reports that the Port of Los Angeles' container volumes went down 6.27% during the first 11 months of the year from the same period in 2006, which represented a trend that was present most of the year in the eastbound Pacific. (Cargonews Asia, dated 12/24/07, available at http://www.cargonewsasia.com/secured/print_view.aspx?article=15131&issue=2007-12-24)

3. China to Have Imposed 10-15% Export Tariffs on Some Steel Products, Etc.

The New York Times reports that, effective January 1, 2008, China was to have imposed 10-15% export tariffs on some steel products and increase rates on other items in order to reduce in its trade surplus and cut energy consumption and pollution. (New York Times, dated 12/27/07, available at http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/27/business/worldbusiness/27yuan.html)

4. FMCSA Posts Motor Carriers Participating in U.S.-Mexico Trucking Pilot

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has posted to its Web site the names and other identifying information of four U.S.-domiciled and eleven Mexico-domiciled motor carriers participating in the U.S.-Mexico Cross Border Trucking Pilot. FMCSA states that it has notified an additional 37 Mexico-domiciled motor carriers that they have successfully passed a pre-authorization safety audit. (FMCSA list of motor carriers available at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/cross-border/cross-border-carriers.htm?printer=true)

5. China, Argentina Impose Flour Export Limits to Ensure Domestic Supply

According to press sources, both Argentina and China have recently imposed limits on flour exports in order to ensure domestic supply. (Shippers' NewsWire, dated 01/02/08, www.shippers.com and American Shipper, dated 12/28/07, www.americanshipper.com)

6. Treasury Issues Report on Business Taxation and Global Competitiveness

The Treasury Department has issued a press release announcing that it has released a report, "Approaches to Improve the Competitiveness of the U.S. Business Tax System for the 21st Century," which addresses business taxation and global competitiveness as a follow-up to the July conference with business leaders, economists, and policy makers. This report outlines several broad approaches to business tax reform and specific business tax areas that can be addressed. (Treasury press release, dated 12/20/07, available at http://www.treasury.gov/press/releases/hp751.htm)

7. ACI Conference on Export Enforcement Investigations on Jan. 29-30

The American Conference Institute will present its 3^rd national forum entitled, "Export Enforcement Investigations" on January 29-30, 2008 in Washington, DC. The conference will be followed by workshops on January 31, 2008 on "Conducting Export Compliance Assessments and Audits" and "M&A Due Diligence: Reducing the Risk of Successor Liability." (Conference and workshop information available at https://www.americanconference.com/exports.htm)

8. Seminar on New Export Controls, AES Regulations, Etc. to be Held Feb. 20, 2008

The Columbia River Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association (CRCBFA) has announced that it will be holding a seminar on new export controls, AES regulation updates, enforcement trends and best practices for both freight forwarders and exporters on February 20, 2008 in Portland, OR. (Conference information available at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/aes/meetingsandpresentations/exportcompliance-portland-20080220.pdf)

9. AMS Reopened Comment Period on Proposed Change to Grape Regulatory Periods

The Agricultural Marketing Service reopened the comment period to December 28, 2007 on proposed changes in the regulatory periods when minimum grade, size, quality, and maturity requirements apply to imported grapes under the table grape import regulation and to southeastern California grapes. (D/N AMS-FV-06-0184; FV03-925-1 PR, FR Pub 12/13/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-6049.pdf )

10. AMS Proposes Rule to Revise Avocado Maturity Requirements

The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a proposed rule to revise the maturity requirements in 7 CFR Parts 915 and 944 for avocados grown in South Florida and for avocados imported into the U.S. Comments must be received by February 8, 2008. (D/N AMS-FV-07-0054; FV07-915-2 PR, FR Pub 12/10/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-23827.pdf )

11. AMS Final Rule Amends the NOP National List

The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a final rule, effective December 11, 2007, amending the National Organic Programs (NOP) National List of allowed and prohibited substances (Crops and Livestock) in 7 CFR Part 205. (D/N AMS-TM-07-0112; TM-06-04FR, FR Pub 12/10/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-23880.pdf )

12. OMB Requests Comments on the EU/US Regulatory Impact Assessment Guidelines Draft Joint Report

The Office of Management and Budget is requesting comments on the Draft Joint Report on the Review of the Application of European Union (EU) and U.S.) Regulatory Impact Assessment Guidelines on the Analysis of Impacts on International Trade and Investment. The full Draft Joint Report is available for review, comments must be in writing and received by February 8, 2008. (FR Pub 12/10/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-23856.pdf )

13. ITA Issues Export Trade Certificate of Review to Global Exp. Trading, LLC

The International Trade Administration has issued a notice stating that on December 19, 2007 it issued an Export Trade Certificate of Review to Global Express Trading, LLC (GET). The Certificate protects GET and members identified in the Certificate from specific antitrust actions. (FR Pub 12/27/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-25104.pdf)

14. GAO Testimony on the Agricultural Quarantine Inspection (AQI) Program

The Government Accountability Office has issued testimony entitled: "Agricultural Quarantine Inspection Program: Management Problems May Increase Vulnerability of U.S. Agriculture to Foreign Pests and Diseases." Among other things, the GAO recommends that DHS and USDA adopt meaningful performance measures for assessing the AQI program's effectiveness and develop a risk based staffing model. (GAO-08-96T, dated 10/03/07, available athttp://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0896t.pdf)

15. GAO Testimony on Illicit Drug Flow from Mexico into the United States

The Government Accountability Office has issued testimony entitled: "Drug Control: U.S. Assistance Has Helped Mexican Counternarcotics Efforts, but the Flow of Illicit Drugs into the United States Remains High." Among other things, GAO recommends that the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the U.S. counternarcotics community coordinate with Mexico before completing the Southwest Border Strategy's implementation plan. (GAO-08-215T, dated 10/25/07, available athttp://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08215t.pdf)