Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. DHS Secretary Highlights Progress in Securing U.S.-Mexico Border

2. China Calls for Bilateral Talks Over Trade Frictions with U.S.

GOV.cn reports that on March 25, 2010 China urged bilateral consultations, dialog and communication on an equal footing in solving China-U.S. trade frictions, in order to seek a win-win solution to some problems and frictions in Sino-U.S. trade and economic relations. (Notice, dated 03/25/10, available at http://www.gov.cn/misc/2010-03/25/content_1565026.htm)

3. EC Seeks Comments on Revisions and Updates to Its Expiring GSP System

The European Commission has opened a public consultation exercise on the revision and updating of the European Union's scheme of Generalized System of Preferences which is due to expire on December 31, 2011. Comments are due by May 31, 2010. (Notice, posted 03/26/10, available at http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2010/march/tradoc_145972.pdf)

4. WTO Issues Report on India's Textile/Apparel Export Competitiveness

The World Trade Organization has issued its report in response to an earlier U.S. request that the WTO examine the export competitiveness of textile and apparel imports from India, as the U. S. had reason to believe that India had met the definition of "export competitiveness." (Report, dated 03/23/10, available at http://docsonline.wto.org/DDFDocuments/t/g/scm/132A1.doc)

5. EPA, DOE Announce New Steps to Strengthen ENERGY STAR

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy are taking steps to strengthen the ENERGY STAR program. EPA and DOE have launched a new two-step process to expand testing of certified freezers, refrigerator-freezers, clothes washers, dishwashers, water heaters and room air conditioners, and have taken action against 35 manufacturers in the past four months. (Press release, dated 03/19/10, available at http://www.energy.gov/news/8775.htm)

6. DOE Investigates Alleged Lighting Efficiency Violations

The U.S. Department of Energy announced it had issued subpoenas to three companies, Target Corporation, Adesso, Inc. and Habitex Corporation, who were identified as selling certain torchiere lamps that failed to meet federal energy efficiency standards. (Press release, dated 03/24/10, available at http://www.energy.gov/news/8791.htm)

7. EPA Releases Public Database on Risk Assessments

The Environmental Protection Agency is releasing the Health and Environmental Research Online (HERO) database, a milestone in providing access to the scientific studies used in making key regulatory decisions, including EPA's periodic review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six major pollutants. (News release, dated 03/24/10, available at http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/bd4379a92ceceeac8525735900400c27/cb9fdf7b44e21cd8852576f000537a25!OpenDocument)

8. GAO Reports on Climate Change Cap-and-Trade System

The Government Accountability Office has issued a report entitled "Climate Change: Observations on Options for Selling Emissions Allowances in a Cap-and-Trade Program." (Report, posted 02/24/10, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10377.pdf)

9. IMO Designation to Require Vessels Along U.S. Coast to Use Cleaner Fuel

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has officially accepted a proposal to designate waters off the North American coasts as an Emission Control Area (ECA) - a move that the Environmental Protection Agency states will require large commercial ships that operate in ECAs to use dramatically cleaner fuel and technology, leading to major air quality and public health benefits. (News release, dated 03/26/10, available at http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/bd4379a92ceceeac8525735900400c27/58be5d02dccfafc8852576f2005a574c!OpenDocument)

10. AMS Proposes to Add 2 Importer Members to Blueberry Council

The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a proposed rule to add two importer members and their alternates to the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council to reflect changes in the quantity of highbush blueberry imports in the past three years. Comments must be received by April 6, 2010. (D/N AMS-FV-09-0022; FV-

09-705, FR Pub 03/17/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-5773.pdf)

11. FDA Withdraws Redundant Canned Salmon Decomposition Guide

The Food and Drug Administration is announcing the withdrawal of Compliance Policy Guide Sec. 540.375, Canned Salmon - Adulteration Involving Decomposition, because it is included in Compliance Policy Guide Sec. 540.370, Fish and Fishery Products - Decomposition. (D/N FDA-1998-N-0050 (Formerly D/N 1998N-0046, FR Pub 03/22/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-6209.pdf)

12. USTR Kirk Welcomes Deputy USTR Michael Punke

U.S. Trade Representative Kirk welcomed the appointment of Michael Punke as Deputy U.S. Trade Representative. Punke also will serve as U.S. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland. He will move to Geneva immediately to assume the post. (Press release, dated 03/27/10, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2010/march/ustr-kirk-welcomes-deputy-ustr-michael-punke)

13. USTR Kirk Welcomes Chief Agricultural Negotiator Isi Siddiqui

U.S. Trade Representative Kirk welcomed the appointment of Dr. Isi Siddiqui as USTR's Chief Agricultural Negotiator. (Press release, dated 03/28/10, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2010/march/ustr-kirk-welcomes-chief-agricultural-negotiator-isi)

14. EC Trade Commissioner, USTR Kirk Discuss Transatlantic Trade Agenda

New European Commissioner for Trade De Gucht and U.S. Trade Representative Kirk met for the first time on March 26, 2010 in Brussels. The discussions covered the full range of topics on the transatlantic trade agenda: from the multilateral trade negotiations, current bilateral trade issues, and the Transatlantic Economic Council. (Press release, dated 03/26/10, available at http://www.eurunion.org/eu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3686&Itemid=58 )

15. NAM Comments on U.S. Win in WTO Airbus Dispute

The National Association of Manufacturers commented on reports that a WTO panel has ruled that Airbus has received significant WTO-illegal subsidies that have distorted world trade in aircraft. NAM states that all must adhere to global trading rules, and called on the U.S. to settle its NAFTA dispute with regard to North American trucking, as well as the case of U.S. cotton subsidies. (Comments, dated 03/26/10, available at http://www.nam.org/Communications/Articles/2010/03/NAM-Statement-on-WTO-Ruling-in-Airbus-Subsidies-Case.aspx)

16. EC Seeks Comments on EU Customs' IPR Enforcement, May Replace Reg's

The European Commission is seeking comments by May 25, 2010 on its review of EU legislation on customs action against goods suspected of infringing certain intellectual property rights. If considered appropriate, after completion of the public consultation, the EC will prepare a proposal on customs IPR enforcement which would replace Council Regulation (EC) No 1383/2003. (Notice, posted 03/26/10, available at http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/common/consultations/customs/ipr_2010_03_en.htm)

17. EC Releases Report on Biofuels and Trade

The European Commission has released a report on biofuels and global trade. In general, the report is positive on the emission reduction effects of first-generation biofuels and on the environmental benefits of trade opening in biofuels. (Press release, dated 03/25/10, available at http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/press/index.cfm?id=542)

18. WCO to Hold IT Conference in April 2010

The World Customs Organization is holding its 2010 Information Technology Conference in Dublin, Ireland on April 28-30, 2010. Participants will come from Customs authorities, the IT sector, the business community, government and trade organizations, lending institutions, border regulatory agencies, and other involved in the international trade arena. (Notice, posted 03/29/10, available at http://www.wcoomdit2010.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=11&lang=en)

19. Next Round of Anti-Counterfeiting Agreemt Negotiations to be April 12-16

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry has announced that the eighth round of negotiations for the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) will be held April 12-16, 2010. Issues on the agenda include the enforcement of intellectual property rights in the digital environment, civil enforcement, criminal enforcement, border measures, and the transparency of the negotiations. (Press release, dated 03/25/10, available at http://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/data/20100325_01.html)

20. Commission Hearing on Taiwan and China, Implications for U.S. and China

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission has posted information on its March 18, 2010 hearing which addressed recent developments between Taiwan and China, and the resulting national security implications for the U.S. economic relationship with China. (FR Pub 03/29/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-6834.pdf)

21. Honduras Notifies WTO Members of Dairy Import Licensing System

Honduras has notified World Trade Organization members of its automatic import licensing system for dairy products. Those wishing to import dairy products are required to submit an application with the importer's name, type(s) of products, quantities to be imported, and a copy of the sanitary requirements and formalities in force in the country. Licenses are issued within 5 working days. (Notice, dated 03/26/10, available at http://docsonline.wto.org/DDFDocuments/t/G/LIC/N3HND1A1.doc)

22. WTO Issues Trade Policy Review for Croatia

The World Trade Organization has issued its Trade Policy Review for Croatia. Despite the success of its ambitious reform program, Croatia still faces problems such as external vulnerability due to its high external current account deficit and external debt. (Press release, dated 03/24/10, available at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp327_e.htm)

23. Foreign Trade Zone Board Actions and Notices

FTZ 196 - Approval for Processing Authority: Foreign Trade Zone 196; Fort Worth, TX

FTZ 26 - Approval for Expansion: Foreign Trade Zone 26; Atlanta, GA

24. FMC Announces Change in Upcoming Meeting Schedule

The Federal Maritime Commission's meeting schedule is revised as follows:

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Wednesday, May 19, 2010 -- Cancelled

Wednesday, June 16, 2010 -- Rescheduled to Wednesday, June 23, 2010

(Notice, posted 03/29/10, available at http://www.fmc.gov/home/CommissionMeetingScheduleforAprilJuneandJuly.asp)

25. Revised FDA Import Alert

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

25-05: Dried Fungus (Mushrooms) from Hong Kong and PROC for Filth

26. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

Russian Federation - Declaration of Conformity Replaces Certification for Many Products: Policy and Program Announcements, Sanitary/Phytosanitary/Food Safety

Poland EU-27 - EU invests in beef production: Livestock and Products, Market Promotion/Competition

Canada - This Week in Canadian Agriculture Issue 06: Agriculture in the News

Philippines - Philippine El Nino Update: Grain and Feed

Russian Federation - State Subsidies Flush for Promoting Genetics Trade: Market Development Reports