Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Senate Finance Committee to Give Precedence to TAA Over FTAs

2. State Dept Designates HUJI-B Group Under 2 Terrorist Designations

The State Department has issued two notices designating Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami/Bangladesh (HUJI-B), aka Islami Dawate-Kafela (IDEK), aka Harakat ul-Jihad e Islami Bangladesh, aka Harkatul Jihad alIslam, aka Harkatul Jihad, aka Harakat ul Jihad al Islami, aka Harkat ul Jihad al Islami, aka Harkat-ul-Jehad-al-Islami, aka Harakat ul Jihad Islami Bangladesh as both a specially designated global terrorist pursuant to Executive Order 13224 and as a foreign terrorist organization under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended. (Public Notice 6117 (global terrorist designation) and Public Notice 6118 (foreign terrorist designation), FR Pub 03/05/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-4259.pdf and

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-4254.pdf)

3. DHS Privacy Impact Assessments on Various Gov't Programs, Systems

The Department of Homeland Security has issued a notice of Privacy Impact Assessments on the following programs and systems, which will be available on the DHS Web site until May 5, 2008: (1) Secure Border Initiative-net; (2) Arrival and Departure Information System (US-VISIT); (3) Automated Targeting System; (4) Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) Update for Final Rule; (5) Secure Flight Program; (6) Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Land and Sea Rule; (7) Verification Information System Update; and (8) APIS Update for CBP's General Aviation Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. (FR Pub 03/05/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-4244.pdf)

4. House Committee Investigating Pesticides in Chinese Garlic/Ginger

On February 21, 2008, the House Energy and Commerce Committee sent a letter to Christopher Ranch requesting information on his purchases of imported Chinese ginger and garlic containing pesticides over the past five years, as part of the Committee's investigation into the safety of the U.S. food supply. (Letter, dated 02/21/08, available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)

5. UN Tightens Sanctions on Iran, Calls for Inspecting Certain Cargo

The United Nations' Security Council has issued a press release announcing it has approved tightened restrictions on Iran, including calling on countries to inspect cargo to and from Iran of aircraft and vessels owned or operated by Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line, provided "reasonable grounds" existed to believe that the aircraft or vessel was transporting prohibited goods. (UN Security Council press release, dated 03/03/08, available at http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2008/sc9268.doc.htm)

6. USTR Requests WTO Consultations With China on Financial Info Services

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. has requested dispute settlement consultations with China at the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding China's treatment of U.S. suppliers of financial information services. The USTR has also issued a fact sheet on the topic. (USTR press release, dated 03/03/08, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2008/March/United_States_Files_WTO_Case_Against_China_Over_Treatment_of_US_Suppliers_of_Financial_Information_Services.html) (Fact sheet, dated 03/08, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Fact_Sheets/2008/asset_upload_file937_14539.pdf?ht=)

7. House Passes Bill to Provide Tax Incentives for Energy Conservation, Etc.

On February 27, 2008, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5351, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for the production of renewable energy and energy conservation. (H.R. 5351, available at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h5351eh.txt.pdf)

8. CBP Port of Columbus Selects FARO as Centralized Examination Station

U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Port of Columbus has issued a Pipeline announcing that it has selected FARO Logistics Solutions, Inc. as the centralized examination station for the Port of Columbus. (CBP Columbus Pipeline 08-009, available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)

9. OFAC Designates 3 Individuals, 4 Entities under Burma EO

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a notice publishing the names of three newly-designated individuals and four entities whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Executive Order 13448 of October 18, 2007, "Blocking Property and Prohibiting Certain Transactions Related to Burma." (OFAC notice, FR Pub 03/04/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-3835.pdf)

10. 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):

APHIS Information Collection (FR Pub 03/03/08) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-4024.pdf

CBP 1 & 2 Information Collections (FR Pub 03/04/08) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-4096.pdf

CBP 3 & 4 Information Collections (FR Pub 03/04/08) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-4098.pdf

CBP 5 & 6 Information Collections (FR Pub 03/04/08) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-4110.pdf