Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. TSA Announces Voluntary Increase of $500 per FEU, Etc.

2. U.S. is Suspending Aid to Honduras Related to DR-CAFTA Environmental Standards, Etc.

In response to a press question regarding whether the U.S. was cutting off assistance to the Honduran government, the Obama Administration stated that it is suspending, as a policy matter, military assistance programs and a few development assistance programs that are for the Government of Honduras, as well as support to the Government of Honduras for DR-CAFTA environmental standards. (Q&A, dated 07/07/09, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/july/125762.htm.)

3. WTO Members Upset About U.S.-EU Beef Deal, Dairy Subsidies

At a recent Agriculture Committee meeting of the World Trade Organization, two trade topics between the U.S. and the European Union were prevalent among delegations' questions and comments. One is whether a beef import quota that the EU intends to introduce in order to settle a long-running legal dispute with the U.S. will be available to all exporters. The EU said it will. The other is a number of members' objections to the EU and U.S. reintroducing export subsidies on dairy products, even if the subsidies are within the limits that the two have agreed. (Notice, dated 07/02/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news09_e/ag_com_02jul09_e.htm)

4. White House Fact Sheet on G-8 Meeting

G-8 leaders from the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United Kingdom met on July 8, 2009 to demonstrate their determination to ensure sustainable growth, and to tackle the interlinked challenges of the economic crisis, trade, climate change, and development. In their declarations, White House fact sheet, dated 07/08/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/FACT-SHEET-On-G-8-Global-Issues/.)

5. Commerce Secretary and Russian Counterpart to Co-Chair Economic Working Group

On July 6, 2009, the President announced that Commerce Secretary Locke and Russian Minister of Economic Development Nabiullina would co-chair the Business Development and Economic Relations Working Group as part of the newly formed U.S.-Russian Bilateral Presidential Commission between the two countries. (Speech, dated 07/07/09, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/SecretarySpeeches/PROD01_008150)

6. Canada Issues Regulations Amending NAFTA Rules of Origin

In the July 8, 2009 edition of the Canada Gazette, the Canada's Governor General in Council issued two sets of regulations amending the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Rules of Origin Regulations:

Regulations Amending the NAFTA Rules of Origin Regulations

Regulations Amending the NAFTA Rules of Origin Regulations (Track III)

7. Canada Issues Implementing Regulations for Canada-EFTA

In the July 8, 2009 edition of the Canada Gazette, the Minister of Finance issued the following regulations, effective July 1, 2009, implementing the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the States of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA -Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland), signed on January 26, 2008:

CEFTA Rules of Origin Regulations

CEFTA Rules of Origin for Casual Goods Regulations

CEFTA Tariff Preference Regulations

8. China's AQSIQ Posts Announcements on Imported Waste Raw Materials, Avian Flu, Etc.

China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine has posted the following announcements:

Announcement No. 21 on the Proclamation of the List of the First Batch of the Overseas Enterprises Supplying Waste Raw Materials Imported Whose Registration Qualification are Written-off or Cancelled of 2008

Announcement No. 6 on Prevention of the Spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Epidemic Disease and Situation

Announcement No. 62 on the Simplification of the Procedure for Nationwide Port Entry-Exit Passengers' Health Declaration

Announcement No. 122 on Approving the Implementation of Geographical Indication Products Protection over Rongcheng Green Asparagus, Wuyuan Green Tea, Dafang Rhizoma Gastrodiae, Liannan Non-nuclear Lemon, and Zhangxi Taro

9. EC Reacts to Automobile Association Criticism of EU FTA with Korea

Following a statement by a European automobile association's criticism of the free trade agreement (FTA) currently being finalized between the European Union and South Korea, European Commission Spokesperson for Trade Lutz Guellner made a statement defending the agreement. European Automobile Manufacturers' Association press release available here. (Press Release, dated 07/08/09, available at http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/bilateral/countries/korea/pr080709_en.htm)

10. WTO Says More Aid for Trade Needed for Developing Countries

The World Trade Organization has issued two press releases on the need to provide more "Aid for Trade" to developing countries to help them exit the economic crisis. Second press release is available here. (Press Release, dated, 07/06/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news09_e/aid_06jul09_e.htm)

11. WTO Issues Trade Policy Review for Guyana

The World Trade Organization issued its Trade Policy Review for Guyana. According to the review, despite improved economic performance, Guyana's per capita income remains low by regional standards and additional reforms are needed to promote investment and thus development. (Press Release, available at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp318_e.htm)

12. EPA Grants California's Clean Air Act Waiver Request for GHG Enforcement

The EPA is granting the California Air Resources Board's request for a waiver of Clean Air Act preemption to enforce its greenhouse gas emission standards for model year 2009 and later new motor vehicles. Petitions for review must be filed by September 8, 2009. (FR Pub 07/08/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-15943.htm)

13. EPA Issues New SNURs for Two Chemical Substances

The Environmental Protection Agency is issuing, effective August 7, 2009, TSCA significant new use rules for two chemical substances which were the subject of premanufacture notices. The two substances are dodecanedioic acid, 1, 12-dihydrazide (CAS No. 4080-98-2; PMNs P-01-759 and P-05-555) and thiophene, 2,5-dibromo-3-hexyl- (CAS No. 116971-11-0; PMN P-07-283). Persons who intend to manufacture, import, or process either of these two substances for a use that is designated as a significant new use by this final rule to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing that activity. (FR Pub 07/08/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-15931.htm)

14. ITC Reports on Trends in Services Trade for 2007

U.S. service firms led the world in global services trade in 2007, reports the International Trade Commission in its publication Recent Trends in U.S. Services Trade, 2009 Annual Report. The U.S. remains the world's largest services market and also the world's leading exporter and importer of services, according to the report. This year's report focuses primarily on professional services, such as legal services, and covers the period 2002-2007. (News Release No. 09-049, dated 07/06/09, available at http://www.usitc.gov/ext_relations/news_release/2009/er0706gg1.htm)

15. FMC Meeting on July 14th

The Federal Maritime Commission will hold a partially open meeting on July 14, 2009. Matters to be discussed include: the Oakland MTO Agreement, Australia and New Zealand/U.S. Discussion Agreement, the U.S. Pacific Coast-Oceania Agreement, etc. (Notice, available at http://www.fmc.gov/home/July142009CommissionMeeting.asp)

16. OFAC Blocks Iran Co. with Hong Kong Appellation

The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the name of a newly-designated entity, Hong Kong Electronics (a.k.a. Hong Kong Electronics Kish Co.), Sanaee St., Kish Island, Iran, whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Executive Order 13382, Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters,'' effective June 30, 2009. (FR Pub 07/07/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-15926.htm)

17. FWS Proposes to List 4 Bird Species from Colombia, 1 from Ecuador as Endangered

The Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a proposed rule to list as endangered four species of birds from Colombia -- the blue-billed curassow, the brown-banded antpitta, the Cauca guan, and the gorgeted wood-quail -- and one bird species from Ecuador -- the Esmeraldas woodstar -- as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Comments must be received or postmarked by September 8, 2009. (FR Pub 07/07/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-15826.htm)

18. Nine Companies to Pay $500,000 in Civil Penalties for Children's Product Lead Paint Violations

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced that nine children's product manufacturers, importers and sellers have agreed to pay more than $500,000 in civil penalties for violating the federal lead paint ban. The companies' products were recalled in 2007 and 2008, and include items such as toys, children's metal jewelry, children's pens, metal water bottles, pencil pouches, sunglasses and children's Halloween pails and baskets. (Notice, dated 07/07/09, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09264.html)

19. CPSC FR Notice on Provisional Acceptance of Settlement Agreement and Order for OKK Trading, Inc.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is publishing notice that it has provisionally accepted a Settlement Agreement with OKK Trading, Inc., containing a civil penalty of $665,000 for violating the lead paint ban, the small parts regulations, and other federal child safety standards. Any interested person may ask the Commission not to accept this agreement or otherwise comment on its contents by filing a written request with the Office of the Secretary by July 23, 2009. (D/N 09-C0020, FR Pub 07/08/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-16013.htm)

20. DOJ Sentences China National for Conspiring to Export Night-Vision Technology to China

The Department of Justice in New Jersey announced that on July 1, 2009, a Chinese national was sentenced to 22 months in prison for conspiring to export military-grade night-vision technology from the U.S. to China. Bing Xu had served as a manager at Everbright Science and Technology, Ltd, a company located in Nanjing. (Notice, dated 07/01/09, available at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nj/press/press/files/pdffiles/xu0701%20rel.pdf)

21. FSIS Amends Meat Export Requirement for Shipments to Russia

The Food Safety and Inspection Service is amending its information on the export to Russia of fresh and frozen pork and pork products derived from swine originating from Texas. (Requirements, dated 07/06/09, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/Russia_Requirements/index.asp)

22. FSIS Summary of June 2009 Changes to Foreign Country Import Requirements for U.S. Meat, Poultry, Etc.

FSIS has compiled for the month of June 2009 information on all countries that have made changes in their import requirements for U.S. meat, poultry, etc. (Notice, dated 07/08/09, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISNotices/49-09.pdf)

23. Dow Corning FTZ Subzone Application Hearing, Extended Comment Period

The Foreign Trade Zones Board is announcing that a public hearing will be held on the Foreign-Trade Zones 29 and 203 applications for subzone authority at the Dow Corning Corporation facilities in Carrollton, Elizabethtown and Shepherdsville, Kentucky and at the REC Silicon facility in Moses Lake, Washington on September 1, 2009 at 1 p.m. in Washington, D.C. Intents to participate, etc. are due by August 28, 2009, and the comment period on the applications has been extended to September 16, 2009, with rebuttals due 15 days later. (D/N 20-2009 and 22-2009, FR Pub 07/07/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-15966.htm)

24. Application for New FTZ Manufacturing Authority in PR

An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board by the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company, grantee of FTZ 7, requesting authority on behalf of CooperVision Caribbean Corporation to manufacture contact lenses under FTZ procedures within FTZ 7. Comments are duty by September 7, 2009, with rebuttals due 15 days later. (D/N 24-2009, FR Pub 07/06/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-15824.pdf)

25. FDA Posts Enforcement Report for July 8th

The Food and Drug Administration has posted its Enforcement Report for the week of July 8, 2009. The report contains information on actions taken in connection with agency regulatory activities. (Report, dated 07/08/09, available at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/EnforcementReports/ucm170893.htm)

26. Revised FDA Import Alerts

The Food and Drug Administration has posted revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:

Processed Products for Pesticides

27. FSIS Updates List of Eligible Plants That Can Export to U.S.

FSIS has updated its lists of eligible processing plants for the export of meat and/or poultry, etc. to the U.S as follows:

Australian plants certified to export meat and poultry (ratites only) to the U.S. (July 7, 2009)

Russian Federation certified to export pork to the U.S. (July 8, 2009)

Mexico plant list (July 7, 2009)

28. FMC Lists OTI Applications

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists those applying for OTI licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:

(FMC notice, FR Pub 07/08/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-16104.pdf)