Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has published in the Federal Register its notice of initiation of a Section 301 investigation and determinations therein, which imposes an additional 10% duty on imports of certain softwood lumber products of Canada, whose Region of Origin is Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, or Saskatchewan, in response to Canada's failure to cure its breach of the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement between the U.S. and Canada (SLA 2006) or provide the monetary compensation determined by a SLA arbitral tribunal. The additional duty is effective for products that are entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after April 15, 2009. (See ITT's Online Archives or 04/08/09 news, 09040805, for previous BP summary.) (D/N USTR-2009-0011, FR Pub 04/10/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-8232.pdf)
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1. Federal Register Publication of USTR Notice on 10% Add'l Duty on Certain Softwood Lumber Products from Canada
2. OTEXA Posts Notice on Mexico Retaliatory Tariffs on Certain U.S. Yarns and Carpets
The Office of Textiles and Apparel has posted a notice announcing the Harmonized System (HS) numbers for the yarns and carpets subject to Mexico retaliatory tariffs. The tariff rate applied to the cited yarns will be 15%, while the tariff rate applied to carpets will be 20%. (See ITT's Online Archives or 03/31/09 news, 09033130, for most recent BP summary of the list of 89 products subject to these retaliatory tariffs. Note that OTEXA's description for HS 5704.90.99 includes "not tufted or flocked," which BP did not previously include in this description.) (Notice, dated 04/0709, available at http://web.ita.doc.gov/otexa/hotiss.nsf/68b2d3c855f32245852574160059deff/1736da87f8b2aff585257591004dd3da?OpenDocument)
3. USTR Kirk Says U.S. Trade Data Shows Contraction in World Trade
USTR Kirk commented on the latest trade data released by the U.S. Commerce Department. The February 2009 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services report showed U.S. exports increasing by 1.6 percent to $126.8 billion since January, while imports fell 5.1 percent to $152.7 billion overall. This resulted in a 28.3 percent reduction in the U.S. trade deficit. Kirk said "Shrinking trade deficits are usually good news, but these numbers reflect the ongoing contraction in world trade overall." (Release, dated 04/09/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2009/April/asset_upload_file995_15563.pdf)
4. FAS Cotton Report Shows World Consumption Continues to Weaken
The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued a World Market and Trade report on cotton. According to the report, world consumption of cotton continues to weaken as the economic situation shows few signs of improvement. (Report, dated April 2009, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/cotton/circular/2009/April/cottonfull0409.pdf)
5. Correction to EPA Regulation on Export Reporting Requirements
The Environmental Protection Agency is providing notice that the export reporting requirements in the first sentence of 40 CFR 707.60(c)(2) have been corrected to state: *** (2) export of a chemical substance or mixture that is a known or potential human carcinogen where such chemical substance or mixture is present in a concentration of less than 0.1% (by weight or volume). *** (40 CFR Part 707, FR Pub 04/10/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-8354.pdf)
6. OMB Approves FAR Interim Final Rule for Costa Rica, Oman, Peru Trade Agreements
The Office of Management and Budget has approved a Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR Case 2008-036) interim final rule on the Costa Rica, Oman, and Peru trade agreements. (Information available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoReviewSearch;jsessionid=0a65171430d660fa008453ef469b942dd7b0f6b17587.e38Nch4NbhuNa40LbN8Tb3aKa38Le6fznA5Pp7ftolbGmkTy)
7. TSA and Liberia Partner to Enhance Aviation Security
The Transportation Security Administration and the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority signed a Joint Statement of Intent for the development and enhancement of aviation security initiatives, including plans to conduct assessments, develop aviation security programs and share best practices. To support this partnership, TSA has deployed an Aviation Security Sustainable International Standards Team (ASSIST), a group of veteran security experts, to collaborate with local security officials. (Release, available at http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2009/0407.shtm)
8. New York Firm Recalls Imported "Keski" Fish
The Food and Drug Administration has announced that Asia Cash & Carry Inc. in Maspeth, New York, is recalling certain CROWN FARMS brand "KESKI" Frozen Fish (Bangladeshi Freshwater Fish) imported from Bangladesh as it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. (Release, dated 04/08/09, available at http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/asiacash04_09.html)
9. Former Bay Area Exporter Charged with Sale of Sensitive Technology to China
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reports that Fu-Tain Lu, and two companies he founded - Fushine Technology, Inc. and Everjet Science and Technology Corporation, based in China - have been indicted by a grand jury for conspiring to ship sensitive microwave amplifier technology to China without obtaining the required licenses and then lying to federal agents about those activities. Department of Justice release available here. (Release, dated 04/08/09, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/0904/090408sanjose.htm)
10. China and ASEAN Expected to Conclude Free Trade Agreement Talks
The Chinese Embassy reports that China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will conclude their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations during the China Premier's upcoming trip to Thailand. According to the release, China and ASEAN have agreed to establish the free trade area by 2010. (Notice, dated 04/08/09, available at http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/xw/t556543.htm)
11. CBSA Issues "What to Expect from a NAFTA Verification"
Canada Border Services Agency has issued "What to Expect From a NAFTA Verification" to give readers a better understanding of the verification process under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). (Information available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5083-eng.html)
12. CBSA Issues April 2009 "SME Newsflash"
Canada Border Services Agency has issued its April 2009 edition of "SME Newsflash," which provides information and links to new programs, services and requirements relevant to small and medium-sized importers and exporters. The newsletter includes CPSA updates, other government updated, tips, etc. (Report, dated April 2009, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/sme-pme/newsletter-bulletin-eng.html)
13. CBSA Cancels D-Memoranda on Filter Tipped Cigarette Tubes
On April 9, 2009, Canada Border Services Agency cancelled its D-Memoranda, D15-2-22 - Filter Tipped Cigarette Tubes (Notice, dated 04/08/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/new-neuf/menu-eng.html)
14. BIS Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee to Meet
The Bureau of Industry and Security has announced that the Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee (ISTAC) will meet on April 29 and 30, 2009, in Washington, DC. (FR Pub 04/10/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-8245.pdf)
15. BIS Sensor and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee to Meet
The Bureau of Industry and Security has announced that the Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee will meet on April 28, 2009 in Washington, DC. (FR Pub 04/10/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-8243.pdf)