Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

December 9, 2009 |Top News

China's Ministry of Commerce announced pledges by the Chinese government to push forward the transformation of the nation's economic development pattern in 2010 while maintaining stable and comparatively fast economic growth. Among other things, China said it would continue to enrich current policies to enhance domestic demand, including the subsidized rural purchase programs of home appliances and autos. (Notice, dated 12/07/09, available at http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/xw/t631846.htm)

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1. China Pledges to Encourage Domestic Demand in 2010

2. Counterfeit and Pirated Goods Trade is Almost 2% of World Trade

At the Fifth Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy held in Cancun from December 1-3, 2009, more than 800 delegates from 80 countries shared proposals for disrupting and curbing illicit trade in counterfeit and pirated goods. Attendees report that counterfeit and pirated goods trade has increased to more than US $250 billion - almost 2% of world trade - up from US $200 billion reported in 2007. (Press release, dated 12/03/09, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/press/default.aspx?lid=1&id=201)

3. FMCSA Committee Meets on Developing HOS Proposed Rule

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration states its Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on December 7-9, 2009 in Washington, DC in order to start developing a proposed rule on hours of service requirements for commercial truck drivers. These MCSAC meetings will be followed by three public listening sessions held January 18 - 29, 2010, and a Federal Register notice soliciting data and research information. (Notice, dated 12/04/09, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2009/fmcsa0509.htm)

4. DOE Bans LG from Using Energy Star Label for Certain Refrigerators

The Department of Energy has announced that effective January 2, 2010, certain LG French-door refrigerator-freezers are banned from using the ENERGY STAR label. In November 2008, DOE and LG entered into an Agreement that was intended to let LG transition away from test procedures that significantly underestimated the amount of energy that certain LG French-door refrigerator-freezers would consume during normal use; however, problems have persisted, and DOE has exercised its right to give notice and terminate the Agreement. (Press release, dated 12/07/09, available at http://www.energy.gov/news2009/8367.htm)

5. President Includes Exports in His Job Creation Plans

On December 8, 2009, the President discussed his plans for job creation and economic growth. According to the President, the Administration is working to break down barriers and open overseas markets so U.S. companies can better compete globally, creating jobs in America by exporting our products around the world. (Remarks, dated 12/08/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-job-creation-and-economic-growth.

6. Administration Launches Comprehensive "Open Government Plan"

On December 8, 2009, as part of the Obama Administration's work to change how Washington does business, the White House issued the Open Government Directive requiring federal agencies to take immediate, specific steps to open their operations up to the public. The Administration also released an Open Government Progress Report to the American People and previewed a number of other openness commitments that are poised to be released during the next two days. (Press release, dated 12/08/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/administration-launches-comprehensive-open-government-plan.)

7. EPA Finds Greenhouse Gases Endanger Public Health, Final Rule on Vehicles Expected

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Jackson has announced her finding that six key greenhouse gases--carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)--in the atmosphere threaten the public health and welfare; the Administrator also finds that the combined emissions of these greenhouse gases from new motor vehicles and new motor vehicle engines contribute to the problem. These findings are a prerequisite to finalizing the EPA's greenhouse gas emission standards for light-duty vehicles that were proposed on September 15, 2009. (Notice, dated 12/07/09, available at http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/endangerment.html)

8. CBP Final Rule on Certain Preclearance Offices in Foreign Countries

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a technical final rule, effective December 8, 2009, which amends 19 CFR to reflect that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has added preclearance stations in Halifax, Canada and Shannon, Ireland. (FR Pub 12/08/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-29190.pdf)

9. New Global FISH Alliance for Sustainability to Focus on Spiny Lobster in Central America

The U.S. Agency for International Development along with alliance partners AED and Darden Restaurants, which owns Red Lobster and Olive Garden, have announced the Global FISH Alliance, a program that promotes sustainable fisheries and responsible aquaculture practices. The initial target fishery is the spiny lobster in Central America. (Press release, dated 12/07/09, available at http://www.usaid.gov/press/releases/2009/pr091207_1.html)

10. U.S., Singapore Hold FTA Review

The U.S. and Singapore recently held their fifth annual review of the implementation of their Free Trade Agreement. During the review meeting, the two sides exchanged views on issues and concerns related to agricultural and textile market access, intellectual property rights, telecommunications and government procurement, and other issues. (Press release, dated 12/07/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/december/united-states-and-singapore-hold-fifth-annual-fre)

11. USTR Kirk, Commerce Secretary Announce New Framework with Turkey

U.S. Trade Representative Kirk and Secretary of Commerce Locke inaugurated a new process of engagement with the government of Turkey on economic and trade issues. The new policy structure, to be known formally as the "Framework for Strategic Economic and Commercial Cooperation," aims to help enhance the already robust interaction that takes place between the two governments on economic issues. (Press release, dated 12/07/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/december/ambassador-kirk-and-secretary-locke-welcome-new-s)

12. State Dept Continues Designations of IRA, Sinn Fein, Asbat al-Ansar, Etc. as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

The State Department has published a notice stating that it is continuing to designate the following as foreign terrorist organizations: Asbat al-Ansar, AKA Band of Helpers, AKA Band of Partisans, AKA League of Partisans, AKA League of the Followers, AKA God's Partisans, AKA Gathering of Supporters, AKA Partisan's League, AKA AAA, AKA Esbat al-Ansar, AKA Isbat al-Ansar, AKA Osbat al-Ansar, AKA Usbat al-Ansar, AKA Usbat ul- Ansar, and, Continuity, Irish Republican Army, AKA CIRA, AKA Continuity Army Council, AKA Continuity IRA, AKA, and Republican Sinn Fein. (FR Pub 12/08/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-29225.pdf)

13. Canadian eManifest Audit Suggests Management Improvements

Canada Border Services Agency posted an audit report on its eManifest project which found that a high-level project management framework was established for eManifest, but that given the complexity of the project, management attention is required to improve the project governance and management processes to adequately and effectively manage the risks to project timeframes, costs and scope. (Report, posted 12/08/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/agency-agence/reports-rapports/ae-ve/2009/suda-vsd-eng.html)

14. WTO Trade Policy Review Says Georgia's Economy Reforming Quickly

The World Trade Organization has posted its Trade Policy Review for Georgia. According to the WTO, Georgia's recent economic policies have met with considerable success guided by reliance on the private sector for growth in a liberalized trade, investment and business environment, in what has been on of the world's fastest reforming economies. (Press release, dated 12/08/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp324_e.htm)

15. Revised FDA Import Alert

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

Processed Foods for Pesticides

16. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

Mexico Economia Responds to Apple Anti-dumping Decision: Agriculture in the Economy, Fresh Deciduous Fruit, Trade Policy Monitoring, Policy and Program Announcements

Mexico Citrus Annual: Citrus

Thailand Weekly Rice Price Update: Grain and Feed

EU-27 EU halts all export subsidies for dairy; expands dairy fund: Dairy and Products