Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Commerce Secretary Locke issued a statement on the release of the September 2009 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services Report, which indicated U.S. exports increased by 2.9 percent since August 2009, while imports increased 5.8 percent. Exports rose for the fifth consecutive month. (Press release, dated 11/13/09, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_008612)
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1. Commerce Releases Sept 2009 Trade Data - Exports and Imports Both Up
2. U.S.-China Commission to Release Report on China's Subsidies, Cyber Espionage, Etc.
On November 19, 2009, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission will make available its report to Congress on the economic and national security implications of the U.S.-China relationship. Among other things, the report discusses China's use of subsidies and other trade-distorting measures and China's stepped-up cyber espionage and cyber warfare capabilities that constitute a growing threat to U.S. computer networks. The report also offers recommendations. (Press release, dated 11/10/09, available at http://www.uscc.gov/pressreleases/2009/09_11_10pr.pdf)
3. U.S. and Other Parties Agree to Work on Trade Initiatives at 1st ASEAN-U.S. Leaders Meeting
The first Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - U.S. Leaders meeting concluded on November 15, 2009. Reflecting the importance of economic ties between ASEAN and the U.S., the leaders stressed the need to further enhance economic cooperation and partnership through new initiatives to be agreed upon by the ASEAN Trade Ministers and the United States Trade Representative. (Press release, dated11/15/09, available at http://www.aseansec.org/24023.htm)
4. ASEAN Members on Track for Zero Tariff Target Starting Jan. 1, 2010
ASEAN Secretariat reports that its six members (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand) will achieve their zero-tariff target for all merchandise moving across their borders on January 1, 2010. (Press release, dated 11/14/09, available at http://www.aseansec.org/24016.htm)
5. White House APEC Meeting Postings
The White House has posted a statement by the leaders from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting on November 14-15, 2009 in which they pledged to take a more comprehensive approach to regional economic integration to keep up with new trends in cross-border trade and investment. A declaration from the APEC leaders and a fact sheet on the APEC meeting are alsoavailable.
6. FDA Releases New Report on Simpler, Globally Accepted Food Tracing Guidelines
The FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition has released a report from the Institute of Food Technologists, which recommends clear objectives be set for all users of a simpler, globally accepted food supply chain that can benefit from existing commercial systems. (News release, dated 11/13/09, available at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm190564.htm)
7. Port of Fargo Removed from AES as Port of Ex port
The Census Bureau has issued an Automated Export System broadcast announcing that the Port of Fargo, ND (3411) has been deleted in AES as a Port of Export. Broadcast 2009053 is available by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com.
8. Justice to Focus on Applying the FCPA to Pharmaceutical Industry
In a November 12, 2009 speech before the Tenth Annual Pharmaceutical Regulatory and Compliance Congress and Best Practices Forum, Assistant Attorney General Breuer stated that in the months and years ahead, one focus of its Criminal Division would be the application of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act to the Pharmaceutical industry. Breuer noted that the types of corrupt payments that violate the FCPA include cash, gifts, charitable donations, travel, meals, entertainment, grants, speaking fees, honoraria, and consultant arrangements. (Speech, dated 11/12/09, available at http://www.justice.gov/criminal/pr/speeches/2009/11/11-12-09breuer-pharmaspeech.pdf)
9. Former Consultant Pleads Guilty to $6 Million Foreign Bribery Scheme
The Department of Justice reports that a former consultant for Willbros International Inc., a subsidiary of Houston-based Willbros Group Inc., has pleaded guilty to engaging in a conspiracy to pay more than $6 million in bribes to Nigerian government officials and officials from a Nigerian political party. According to the DOJ, the use of intermediaries to pay bribes will not escape prosecution under the FCPA. (News release, dated 11/12/09, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/November/09-crm-1220.html)
10. Investor Sentenced to Prison for Scheme to Bribe Foreign Government
Frederic A. Bourke Jr., of Greenwich, Conn., has been sentenced in U.S. District Court in Manhattan to one year and one day in prison. Bourke participated in a scheme to bribe senior government officials in Azerbaijan with several hundred million dollars in shares of stock, cash and other gifts, to ensure that those officials would privatize the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) in a rigged auction. (News release, dated 11/11/09, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/November/09-crm-1217.html)
11. LA Clarifies Instructions on LA/LB Cross- Filing Discontinuation
The Port of Los Angeles has issued a Public Bulletin clarifying instructions regarding statements that are no longer eligible for cross-filing between the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport (LALB) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). LA previously issued a bulletin announcing that statements containing entry summaries filed via the ACE or Remote Location Filing procedures would no longer be eligible for cross-filing. Inadvertently, the bulletin did not address summaries filed under the Electronic Invoice Program. (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/07/09 news, 09100799 1, for BP summary of previous bulletin.) (LA09-028 available by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)
12. DOE Public Meeting on Residential Refrigerator/Freezer Energy Standards
The Department of Energy is announcing that an informal public meeting is scheduled for December 10, 2009 to discuss and receive comments on DOE plans to amend the energy conservation standards for residential refrigeration products. A preliminary technical support document and meeting agenda are available. Written comments are due January 15, 2010. (D/N EERE-2008-BT-STD-0012, FR Pub 11/16/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-27396.pdf)
13. DOE Interim Guidance on Packaging, Storing, Etc. of U.S. Elemental Mercury
DOE is announcing the availability of general guidance with respect to standards and procedures necessary to support the packaging, transportation, receipt, management, and long-term storage of elemental mercury generated in the U.S. as required by the Mercury Export Ban Act of 2008. (FR Pub 11/16/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-27395.pdf)
14. Export.Gov Announces Documentation and NAFTA Webinars
Export.gov is announcing the following government and private Webinars:
Nov 18: Understanding Export Documentation
Nov 19: NAFTA Smart Seminar: Doing Business in Canada and Mexico
15. FSIS Updates Instructions and U.S. Plants for Exporting Meat and Poultry to Foreign Countries
FSIS has provided updated information for the export of U.S. meat and poultry to the following countries:
Azerbaijan (November 13, 2009)
European Union (Egg Products) (November 13, 2009)
Mexico Plant List (November 12, 2009)
Belize (November 12, 2009)
16. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
Saudi Arabia Retail Food Sector: Update 2009
China Annual: Canned Deciduous Fruit
Caribbean Basin Retail Food Sector: Eastern Caribbean Region Report
Philippines Sugar Semi-Annual: Semi-Annual Report
Brazil Sugar Update - November 2009: Sugar
17. Agency Seeks 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
| APHIS1 | Classical Swine Fever Status of Chile | 01/15/10 |
| APHIS2 | Spring Viremia of Carp; Import Restrictions on Certain Live Fish, Fertilized Eggs, and Gametes | 01/15/10 |
| DEA | Annual Reporting Requirement for Manufacturers of Listed Chemicals | 12/16/09 |
| TSA | Air Cargo Security Requirements | 01/15/10 |
(Information collection notices are hyperlinked to agency name.)