Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Department of Health and Human Services has issued a news release announcing that the Bush Administration is amending its budget request for fiscal year 2009 to include an additional $275 million for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. HHS also posted a fact sheet on investing in FDA's transformation. (HHS press release, dated 06/09/08, available at http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2008pres/06/20080609a.html; HHS fact sheet, dated 06/09/08, available at http://www.hhs.gov/news/facts/fdatransformation.html.)
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1. Administration Asks for $275 Million More for Food & Medical Product Safety
2. Treasury Secretary's Remarks on Upcoming U.S.-China Economic Dialogue
The Treasury Department has issued remarks by Treasury Secretary Paulson on the upcoming fourth meeting of the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. According to the remarks, the SED will focus on five areas: managing financial and macroeconomic cycles; developing human capital; the benefits of trade and open markets; enhancing investment; and advancing joint opportunities for cooperation in energy and the environment. (Paulson remarks, dated 06/10/08, available at http://www.treasury.gov/press/releases/hp1016.htm.)
3. Trade Deficit Increases in April 2008
The Census Bureau has issued a press release stating that the U.S.' international deficit in goods and services increased to $60.9 billion in April from $56.5 billion (revised) in March, as imports increased more than exports. U.S. Trade Representative Schwab also issued a statement noting the continued strength of U.S. exports worldwide. (Census press release, dated 06/10/08, available at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/Press-Release/current_press_release/press.html; USTR statement, dated 06/10/08, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2008/June/asset_upload_file312_14940.pdf.)
4. House Commerce Chairman on Safety of Phthalates and BPA
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Dingell inserted a statement into the hearing record at a Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection hearing titled "Safety of Phthalates and Bisphenol-A in Everyday Consumer Products." (Statement available at http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110st172.shtml.)
5. House Homeland Security Chairman Letter to DHS on TWIC Problems
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Thompson sent a letter to DHS Secretary Chertoff regarding new problems with TWIC. Production delays have resulted from 8 of 12 printing machines being returned to the manufacturer for repair or replacement. (Letter, dated 06/10/08, available at http://hsc.house.gov/press/index.asp?ID=384.)
6. TWIC Quarterly Deployment Plan; New Help Desk Email Web Page
The Transportation Security Administration has posted its latest (as of June 10, 2008) Transportation Worker Identification Credential quarterly deployment plan and a link for contacting the TWIC Help Desk via email. (TWIC plan as of June 10, 2008 available at http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/twicquarterlydeploymentschedule.pdf; TWIC help desk information available at http://twicinformation.tsa.dhs.gov/twicinfo/contact.jsp.
7. GAO Testifies on Digital TV Transition Status
The Government Accountability Office has released its testimony before the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet entitled, "Digital Television Transition: Broadcasters' Transition Status, Low-Power Station Issues, and Information on Consumer Awareness of the DTV Transition." (GAO testimony, dated 06/10/08, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08881t.pdf.)
8. ICE & Mexico to Work Together on Trans-border Weapons Smuggling
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued a press release which states that at the first ever Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) Conference, ICE and Mexico Customs announced that they would join forces for Operation Armas Cruzadas, a major effort to identify and disrupt trans-border weapons smuggling networks between the two countries' borders through the Homeland Security Information Network (HSN) virtual weapons task force. (ICE press release, dated 06/09/08, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/080609houston.htm.)
9. WESCCON 2008 to be Held in San Diego This Fall
The Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Associations, Inc. will hold its annual Western Cargo Conference (WESCCON) 2008 in San Diego, California on October 2 - 5, 2008. (www.WESCCON.com )
10. Canada PM Meets with Chilean President
The Canadian Government has issued a press release regarding a recent meeting between Canada's Prime Minister and the President of Chile during which they signed a declaration covering several memoranda of understanding designed to strengthen relations between Canada and Chile. (Press release, dated 06/09/08, available at http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=2140.)
11. Canada Signs Free Trade, Labor, Environmental Agreements w/ Colombia
The Canadian Government has issued a press release announcing that on June 7 2008 Canada and Colombia concluded a Free Trade Agreement. The countries also signed Labor Cooperation and Environment agreements. (Press release, dated 06/07/08, available at http://w01.international.gc.ca/minpub/Publication.aspx?isRedirect=True&publication_id=386266&language=E&docnumber=135.)
12. OFAC Designates 3 Individual Under Terrorism Executive Order
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued issued a notice publishing the names of three newly-designated individuals whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001, Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism. (Notice, FR Pub 06/11/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-13118.pdf.)
13. FDA Reopens Comments Period on Salt/Sodium Hearing
The Food and Drug Administration is reopening until August 11, 2008 the comment period for the notice of public hearing, published in the October 23, 2007 Federal Register, requesting comments regarding FDA's current framework of policies regarding salt and sodium and potential future approaches, including approaches described in a citizen petition. (Notice, D/Ns FDA-2005-P-0196 and FDA-2007-0545, FR Pub 06/11/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-13122.pdf.)
14. GAO Reports on U.S.-Palau Compact of Free Association
The Government Accountability Office released its report to Congressional Committees entitled, "Compact of Free Association: Palau's Use of and Accountability for U.S. Assistance and Prospects for Economic Self-Sufficiency." (GAO report GAO-08-732, dated June 2008, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08732.pdf.)
15. APHIS Final Rule on Horses from CEM Countries
An Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service final rule, effective July 7, 2008, amends 9 CFR Part 93 to allow noncompetitive entertainment horses from countries affected with contagious equine metritis to be temporarily imported into the U.S under certain conditions. (Final rule, D/N APHIS-2006-0164, FR Pub 06/05/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-12543.pdf )
16. Draft U.S.-Canada Guide on Nuclear Material Transportation Packages
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission announces the availability of and is seeking public comment by August 19, 2008 on the draft NUREG-1886, "Joint Canada-United States Guide for Approval of Type B(U) and Fissile Material Transportation Packages." (FR Pub 06/05/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-12583.pdf )
17. U.S., Australia Review FTA Progress
U.S. Trade Representative Schwab met with Australian Minister of Trade Crean to review progress under the U.S.-Australian Free Trade Agreement. This was the third meeting of the Joint Committee established under the AFTA. (USTR release dated 06/02/08, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2008/June/asset_upload_file917_14935.pdf )
18. FAS' Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
Australia Trade Policy Monitoring: New Wheat Marketing Legislation Progresses through Parliament
European Union-27 FAIRS Subject Report: Health Claims - EU Authorization Procedure
Russia Oilseeds and Products: Oilseeds Annual Report
Serbia Grain and Feed: Spring Planting and Wheat Update
Thailand Grain and Feed: Rice Intervention Program Returns Amid High Market Prices
United Arab Emirates Biotechnology: Annual GCC-5 Biotechnology Report
New Zealand Dairy and Products: Fonterra Cooperative Increases Payout to Farmers
Russia Grain and Feed: June Monthly Update
19. FSIS Updates Export Requirements, Plant Lists
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted updated export requirements for Singapore (06/03/08) (processed egg products) http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/Singapore_Egg_Products_Requirements/index.asp. FSIS has also updated the list of U.S. plants approved to export meat and poultry to Mexico (06/04/08)http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Frame/FrameRedirect.asp?main=http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OFO/export/lmexico.htm .
20. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| ITA 1 | Export Trading; Companies Contact Facilitation Service (ITA-4094P) | 07/29/08 |
| ITA 2 | Certified Trade Fair Program: Application (ITA-4100P) | 07/29/08 |
| FMCSA | Application for Certificate of Registration for Foreign Motor Carriers and Foreign Motor Private Carriers | 07/28/08 |
| TSA | Threat and Vulnerability Assessment for General Aviation Airports | 08/05/08 |
| DEA | Import/Export Declaration for List I and List II Chemicals (DEA Form 486) | 08/05/08 |
| APHIS | National Animal Identification System | 08/05/08 |
ITA 1 Information Collection (FR Pub 05/30/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-12081.pdf
ITA 2 Information Collection (FR Pub 05/30/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-12082.pdf
FMCSA Information Collection (FR Pub 05/28/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-11890.pdf
TSA Information Collection (FR Pub 06/06/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-12748.pdf
DEA Information Collection (FR Pub 06/06/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-12703.pdf
APHIS Information Collection (FR Pub 06/06/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-12731.pdf