Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
According to a White House press briefing, on April 13, 2009, the President directed the Secretaries of State, Treasury and Commerce to carry out the actions necessary to lift all restrictions on the ability of individuals to visit family members in Cuba, and to send them remittances.
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1. President Announces Changes in U.S. Policy Towards Cuba
The President has also directed that steps be taken to authorize U.S. telecommunications network providers to enter into agreements to establish fiber-optic cable and satellite telecommunications facilities linking the U.S. and Cuba, license U.S. satellite radio and satellite television service providers to engage in transactions necessary to provide services to customers in Cuba, authorize the donation of certain consumer telecommunication devices without a license, as well as to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian items directly to the Cuban people through licensing exceptions. (Release, dated 04/13/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/04/13/Reaching-Out-to-the-Cuban-People/; Fact sheet available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Fact-Sheet-Reaching-out-to-the-Cuban-people/)
2. China to Develop Defective Product Recall System
The Embassy of China reports that a draft law has been submitted to the State Council, to establish a defective products recall system, which if approved, would become the country's first law on product recall. The draft, by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, contains seven chapters and 63 articles. (Notice, dated 04/14/09, available at http://us2.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/chinanews/200904/20090406167953.html)
3. USTR Corrects its Federal Register Notice on 10% Additional Duty for Softwood Lumber Products from Canada
The USTR is correcting its earlier Federal Register notice, which inadvertently omitted the annex listing the Harmonized Tariff Schedule amendments for the 10% additional duty that takes effect on April 15, 2009 for certain Canadian softwood lumber products. (See ITT's Online Archives or 04/13/09 news, 09041399 1, for BP summary of the FR notice.) (D/N USTR-2009-0011, FR Pub 04/14/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/Z9-8232.pdf)
4. Canada Proposes Rule on Cribs, Cradles, and Bassinets
The Canada Gazette states that the Government of Canada has issued a proposed rule under the Hazardous Products Act on cribs, cradles and bassinets. The regulatory impact statement is availablehere. Comments on the proposed rule are due within 60 days of April 11, 2009. (Notice, dated 04/11/09, available at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2009/2009-04-11/html/reg4-eng.html)
5. Export.gov Announces Webinar Series on Doing Business in Canada
This series of Webinars for new-to-exporting and new-to-market companies will cover the political and economic environment of the featured region of Canada, the leading industrial and service sectors for U.S. exports, as well as the market opportunities and challenges. The webinar on May 7, 2009 is for British Colombia and the prairie provinces; the May 13, 2009 webinar is on Quebec, and the May 20, 2009 webinar is on Ontario. (Information available at http://www.export.gov/webinars/wseries_canada.asp)
6. TSA Posts Reminder on April 15th TWIC Compliance Date
The Transportation Security Administration has posted a Transportation Worker Identification Credential update reminding the trade that the nationwide TWIC compliance date for workers who require unescorted access to secure areas of maritime facilities and vessels and all U.S. credentialed mariners is April 15, 2009. Those who have received notification their TWIC card is ready for pick up, can walk-in to an Enrollment Center or schedule an appointment for activation by calling the TWIC Help Desk at 1-866-DHS-TWIC (1-866-347-8942). (See ITT's online archives or 05/08/08 news, 08050835, for BP summary of the FR notice) (Notice, dated 04/13/09, available at http://twicinformation.tsa.dhs.gov/twicinfo/index.jsp)
7. Coast Guard Meeting on TWIC Readers to be Held in Arlington, VA May 6th
The Coast Guard has issued a notice stating that its previously announced public meeting on May 6, 2009 regarding its March 2009 advanced notice of proposed rulemaking on Transportation Worker Identification Credential reader requirements will be held at the Sheraton Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, VA. (CG previously did not disclose the location. See ITT's Online Archives or 04/10/09 news, 09041025, for BP summary of CG's previous announcement of this meeting.) (D/N USCG-2007-28915, FR Pub dated 04/15/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-8606.pdf)
8. FMC Cancels April 22 Meeting
The Federal Maritime Commission's regular meeting scheduled for April 22, 2009 has been cancelled. The Commission's next scheduled regular meeting will be held on May 13, 2009. The FMC has also posted an updated schedule of its regular meetings through August 2009, available here. (Notice available at http://www.fmc.gov/home/Apr222009MeetingCancellation.asp)
9. ITDS Notice on Portal and Other A2.2 Enhancements for PGAs
The International Trade Data System's website contains a new posting which provides an overview of the A2.2 portal and other enhancements relevant to Participating Government Agencies, which took effect on April 12, 2009. (Notice, dated April 2009, available at http://www.itds.gov/linkhandler/itds/news/a2_info.ctt/a2_info.pdf)
10. OFAC Unblocks Property of One Mexican Individual
The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the name of one Mexican individual whose property and interests in property have been unblocked pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, effective on April 8, 2009. (Notice, FR Pub 04/14/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-8437.pdf)
11. BIS Extends Entity Temporary Denial Order to Certain Related Parties
The Bureau of Industry and Security is extending the temporary denial order that was issued against Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, Tadbir Sanaat Sharif Technology Development Center, and Icarus Marine (Pty) Ltd. to certain related entities and persons. (Notice, FR Pub 04/14/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-8533.pdf)
12. DHS Secretary to Survey SW Border Operations During Visit
The Department of Homeland Security has issued a press release announcing that Secretary Napolitano plans to travel to the Southwest border on April 15, 2009 to survey border operations in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona and coordinate with state and local law enforcement officials as part of a major effort to disrupt illegal arms and cash smuggling, and to curtail illegal immigration. (Release, dated 04/13/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1239662697733.shtm)
13. DHS Announces Cancellation of Meeting of National Infrastructure Advisory Council
The Department of Homeland Security has announced the cancellation of the April 14, 2008 Washington, D.C. meeting of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC). (D/N DHS-2009-0008, FR Pub 04/14/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-8541.pdf)
14. APHIS Environmental Assessment on Foot and Mouth Disease and Rinderpest in South Korea
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is advising the public that it has prepared an environmental assessment for a proposed rule that would add the Republic of Korea to the list of regions considered free of rinderpest and foot-and-mouth disease. Comments are due by May 29, 2009. (D/N APHIS-2008-0147, FR Pub 04/14/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-8494.pdf)
15. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
Canada Grain and Feed: Annual Report
China Agricultural Situation: IPR Protection by China Customs
Mexico Livestock and Products: Semi Annual
Sweden Livestock and Products: Swedish Chicken Industry Subject to Sabotage?