Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission has announced a hearing on February 4, 2010 in Washington, DC. This is the first public hearing the Commission will hold during its 2010 report cycle to collect input from leading academic, industry, and government experts on national security implications of the U.S. bilateral trade and economic relationship with China. The February 4 hearing will examine the political, economic, and security aspects of China’s activities in Southeast Asia, China and regional forums, and their implications on U.S. interests. (FR Pub 01/20/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-969.pdf)

2. Federal Register Notice on ITC’s GSP CNL Investigation on Tires

The International Trade Commission has issued a Federal Register notice announcing the institution of its investigation to provide advice on the impact of granting a waiver of the GSP competitive need limits for Thailand for new pneumatic radial tires, of rubber, of a kind used on motor cars (including station wagons and racing cars) (HTS subheading 4011.10.10). ITC will hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation on February 16, 2010. Written comments are due by February 26, 2010. (See ITT’s Online Archives or 01/14/10 news, (Ref: 10011415) for earlier BP summary.)(FR Pub 01/20/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-903.pdf)

3. Court Upholds DOE’s Action Against LG on ENERGY STAR Label

On January 18, 2010, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia upheld the Department of Energy’s decision to remove the ENERGY STAR® label from certain LG refrigerator-freezer models. As part of its expanded energy efficient enforcement efforts, DOE had taken steps over the past few months to remove the label from these products, which independent testing had shown were consuming significantly more energy than allowed by the ENERGY STAR® program. (Press release, dated 01/19/10, available at http://www.energy.gov/news2009/8529.htm)

4. DoD Final Rule on DR-CAFTA for Costa Rica, U.S.-Peru TPA

The Department of Defense has issued a final rule, effective January 20, 2010, which adopts its July 2009 interim rule without changes, which amended the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement the Dominican Republic-Central America-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) with respect to Costa Rica, and the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement. The trade agreements waive the applicability of the Buy American Act for some foreign supplies and construction materials and specify procurement procedures designed to ensure fairness. (FR Pub 01/20/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-934.pdf)

5. Europe and U.S. Step up Cooperation on Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products

On January 19, 2010, OLAF, the European Commission’s Anti-Fraud Office, and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) signed a Cooperation Arrangement setting out the basis for their working relationship to combat the illicit trade in tobacco products. (Press release, dated 01/18/10, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=OLAF/10/1&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

6. 2010 WCO IT Conference to be Held in April in Ireland

The World Customs Organization has announced that the 2010 WCO IT Conference and Exhibition will be held April 28-30, 2010 in Dublin Ireland. (Notice, posted 01/19/10, available at http://www.wcoomdit2010.com/site/)

7. ITA Announces Aerospace SME Development Mission to Canada

The International Trade Administration's U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service is organizing a U.S. Aerospace Business Development Mission to Montreal, Canada, April 14-15, 2010. This aerospace mission is designed to provide U.S. aerospace export-ready, small to medium-sized companies (SMEs) with a highly efficient and cost-effective opportunity to establish profitable commercial relations with prospective agents, distributors and end-users in Canada’s aerospace market. (FR Pub 01/20/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-929.pdf)

8. ITA Announces Health Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia, Qatar

The International Trade Administration's U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (CS) is organizing a Public Health Trade Mission to Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Doha, Qatar, from June 5--10, 2010. The mission will provide a venue for U.S. companies to promote equipment, services, and technologies in a range of public health sectors, including hospital and clinical laboratory equipment; pharmaceuticals; health care technologies; etc. (FR Pub 01/20/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-928.pdf)

9. DDTC Name Change Notices

The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has announced the following entity name change(s) for new DDTC license applications. New license applications received after the listed effective date will be considered for return without action for correction to the new name (notices hyperlinked):

10. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Import PPQ Manual Updated

On January 14, 2010, APHIS updated its Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Import PPQ Manual. The manual lists by country fruits and vegetables that are admissible into the United States. It includes a description of methods for sampling and inspecting selected fruits and vegetables. It also contains pictorial identification guides, and a glossary for common and scientific names of fruits and vegetables. (Manual, updated 01/14/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/fv.pdf)

11. Updated List of 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:

12. FSIS Updates List of Poland Establishments Eligible to Export Meat & Poultry

The Food Safety and Inspection Services has issued an updated (January 14, 2010) version of its list of Poland establishments eligible to export meat and poultry to the U.S.

13. 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:

14. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

15. EC Approves Programs to Promote Dairy Products in European Union

The European Commission has approved 13 three-year programs in 11 Member States to promote milk and milk products in the European Union. This was one of a set of measures proposed by the Commission in July 2009 to address the difficult market situation faced by the dairy sector. (Press release, dated 01/19/10, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/34&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

16. CBSA Posts Statement of Reasons for Final Dumping Determination of Certain Steel Plate from Ukraine

Canada Border Services Agency posted its statement of reasons regarding its January 4, 2010 final affirmative dumping determination regarding certain carbon steel plate and high strength low alloy steel plate from Ukraine. (Statement, dated 01/15/10, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/i-e/ad1384/ad1384-i09-fd-eng.html)