Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Transportation Security Administration has issued an annual summary of all enforcement actions taken by TSA under the authority granted in the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11Commission Act of 2007. (D/N TSA-2009-0024, FR Pub 12/28/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-30623.pdf)
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1. TSA Issues Annual Summary of 9/11 Enforcement Actions
2. OPIC Reopens Finance and Insurance Programs in Ukraine
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation has restored its programs in Ukraine, following the signing on December 16 of an agreement resolving a dispute over an insurance claim. OPIC is now able to provide financing and political risk insurance to American companies investing in Ukraine. (Press release, dated 12/17/09, available at http://www.opic.gov/news/press-releases/2009/pr121709)
3. USTR Welcomes Senate Confirmation of Deputy USTR, Awaits Others
U.S. Trade Representative Kirk welcomed Senate confirmation of Miriam Sapiro as Deputy U.S. Trade Representative on December 24, 2009. According to the Office of the USTR, two other key USTR personnel, Michael Punke as U.S. Ambassador to the World Trade Organization, and Isi Siddiqui as Chief Agricultural Negotiator, recently received unanimous passage by the Senate Finance Committee and await full Senate confirmation. (Press release, dated 12/26/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/december/ustr-kirk-welcomes-senate-confirmation-miriam-sap)
4. USDA Awards Over $8 Million Under Emerging Markets Program
The Department of Agriculture has announced that 91 agricultural trade promotion projects received $8.2 million in fiscal year 2009 funding to promote overseas market access for U.S. food and agriculture. The funding was provided under the Central Fund of USDA's Emerging Markets Program, which is administered by the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). (News release, dated 12/18/09, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0325-09)
5. NAM Commends Congress for Approving US-UAE "123" Civil Nuclear Agreement
The President of the National Association of Manufacturers has commended Congress for approving the "123" agreement with the United Arab Emirates on Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation, which passed Congress' legislative review period without being rejected. The agreement on civilian nuclear cooperation provides a framework for American companies, large and small, to compete to supply goods and services to the UAE. (Press release, posted 12/22/09, available at http://www.nam.org/NewsFromtheNAM/Press%20Releases/IEAP/NAMPresidentEnglerCommendsCongressForApproving123CivilNuclearAgreement.aspx)
6. APHIS Final Rule Adds Korea to List of Regions Considered Free of Rinderpest, FMD
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a final rule, effective January 12, 2010, which amends its regulations to add the Republic of Korea to the list of regions that are considered free of rinderpest and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). APHIS is also adding the Republic of Korea to the list of regions that are subject to certain import restrictions on meat and meat products because of their proximity to or trading relationships with rinderpest or FMD affected countries. (D/N APHIS-2008-0147, FR Pub 12/28/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-30668.pdf)
7. World Economic Forum to Hold Annual Meeting in Jan. 2010
The World Economic Forum will hold its annual meeting on January 27-31, 2010 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. The title of this year's meeting, which is led by private sector co-chairs, is "Improve the State of the World: Rethink, Redesign, Rebuild." (Executive summary, dated 10/28/09, available at http://www.weforum.org/pdf/AM_2010/AM10ExSummary.pdf)
8. EU Extends AD Duties on Shoes from China & Vietnam for 15 Months
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council reports that in a 14 to 13 vote, the European Union has extended the anti-dumping duties on imports of shoes from China (16.5%) and Vietnam (10%) for 15 months. (Notice, dated 12/24/09, available at http://www.hktdc.com/info/vp/a/gmt/en/1/3/1/1X06KMDT/EU-To-Extend-Anti-Dumping-Duties-On-Shoes-From-Mainland-China-And-Vietnam-Other-Trade-Developments.htm)
9. China Approves New Food/Plant Inspection & Quarantine Standards
China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine announced that during a December 8-12, 2009 meeting of China's Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) and the Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine (CAIQ), 73 industrial standards on food inspection and quarantine and 26 standards on plant quarantine were reviewed and officially approved. These standards were formulated in light of new developments and requirements in China's inspection and quarantine management regime. (News release, dated 12/25/09, available at http://english.aqsiq.gov.cn/NewsRelease/NewsUpdates/200912/t20091225_133557.htm)
10. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
Uruguay Agricultural Biotechnology Annual: 2009
China Planting Seeds Annual: Planting Seeds
11. 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:
Raw Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Due to the Presence of Pathogenic Contamination