Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Congress Passes Another Extension of 2002 Farm Bill Trade Provisions

2. House Passes Senate Version of Bill to Amend SAFETEA-LU, Cleared for the President

On April 30, 2008, the House passed the Senate version of H.R. 1195, a bill to amend the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to make technical corrections, and for other purposes, clearing the measure for the President. (Congressional Record, dated 04/30/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080430).)

3. FMCSA Updates List of Carriers Eligible to Participate in Cross-Border Pilot

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has posted an updated list of Mexican-domiciled and U.S.-domiciled motor carriers that have been granted authority to participate in the U.S.-Mexico cross-border pilot program. (List available at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/cross-border/cross-border-carriers.htm)

4. Chicago CBP Pipeline on Sealing Cargo Moving to Fumigation Facilities

CBP's Port of Chicago has issued a Pipeline announcing that beginning June 2, 2008, all air cargo moving to a facility for quarantine treatment must be sealed with a serial numbered CBP strap seal. (Chicago Pipeline 08-17, dated 04/28/08, available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.)

5. GAO Testifies on EPA's New Assessment Process for Chemicals

The Government Accountability Office has released its testimony before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee entitled, "Toxic Chemicals: EPA's New Assessment Process Will Increase Challenges EPA Faces in Evaluating and Regulating Chemicals." (GAO testimony, GAO-08-743T, dated 04/29/08, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08743t.pdf.)

6. EPA Creates Web Site for Truckers to Get Financing for SmartWay Technologies

The Environmental Protection Agency has created a Web site to help truckers get financing for SmartWay-approved technologies to save fuel and reduce pollution. The SmartWay Transport Partnership is a voluntary partnership between EPA and the freight industry to increase energy efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution. (Web site available at http://www.smartwayfinancecenter.com/)

7. BIS: French Corp Pleads Guilty to Illegal Export of Cryogenic Pumps to Iran

The Bureau of Industry and Security has posted a press release stating that Cryostar SAS, formerly known as Cryostar France, a French corporation, headquartered in Hesingue, France, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy, illegal export, and attempted illegal export of cryogenic submersible pumps to Iran. (Press release, dated 04/10/08, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2008/doj04_10_08.html)

8. House Judiciary Committee Reports Intellectual Property Bill

On April 30, 2008, the House Judiciary Committee amended and ordered reported H.R. 4279, Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007. (Congressional Record, dated 04/30/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080430).)

9. House Foreign Affairs Committee Reports Arms Export Reform Bill

On April 30, 2008, the House Foreign Affairs Committee ordered reported as amended H.R. 5916, the Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Reform Act of 2008. (Congressional Record, dated 04/30/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080430).)

10. CBP Imposes Import Restrictions on Iraq Archaeological Material

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a final rule, effective April 30, 2008, which amends 19 CFR Part 12 to reflect the imposition of import restrictions on Archaeological and Ethnological Material of Iraq pursuant to section 3002 of the Emergency Protection for Iraqi Cultural Antiquities Act of 2004, etc. CBP's final rule also contains the Designated List of Archaeological and Ethnological Material that describes the types of articles to which the import restrictions apply. (CBP final rule, CBP Dec. 08-17, FR Pub 04/30/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-9343.pdf.)

11. EU and China Start High-Level Economic and Trade Talks

The European Commission reports that the European Union and the Chinese government recently launched their new High Level Economic and Trade Dialogue Mechanism (HLM) in Beijing. The two sides agreed on an ambitious and far-reaching remit for the dialogue and began focused discussions. (IP/08/648, dated 04/25/08, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/648&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

12. U.S, Mauritius Discuss Implementation of Trade & Investment Framework

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a press release reporting that the U.S. and Mauritian officials recently met to discuss implementation of the U.S.-Mauritius Trade and Investment Framework Agreement. (USTR press release, dated 04/28/08, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2008/April/asset_upload_file551_14875.pdf.)

13. USTR to Meet with ASEAN Economic Ministers, Indonesia Minister of Trade

The USTR has issued a press release announcing that USTR Schwab will visit Bali, Indonesia, on May 1-4, 2008 to meet Association of South East Asian Nations Economic Ministers regarding the U.S.-ASEAN Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) and to discuss the Doha Round negotiations. She will also meet with the Indonesian Minister of Trade to discuss U.S.-Indonesia TIFA. (USTR press release, dated 04/28/08, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2008/April/asset_upload_file678_14876.pdf.)

14. U.S. and Brazil Met to Discuss CEO Forum Progress

The Commerce Department has issued a press release stating that the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum recently met and discussed critical business issues, including the conclusion of an agreement in the Doha Round and the negotiation of a bilateral tax treaty and a bilateral investment treaty. (ITA press release, dated 04/28/08, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_005598.)

15. WCO IT Conference and Exhibition Lauded as a Success

The World Customs Organization reports that its April 2008 IT Conference and Exhibition was a success. During the Conference and Exhibition around 450 experts from Customs and business representing some 84 countries gathered to discuss ways in which Information Technology (IT) can assist Customs globally to better manage international trade facilitation and security. (WCO press release, dated 04/25/08, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/press/?v=1&lid=1&cid=5&id=156)