Japanese total steel demand is forecast to decline by 2.3% in the 1st quarter of Japan’s fiscal year 2012 (April-June), as compared to the previous quarter, by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Steel demand in the construction sector is forecast to decline due to seasonal factors, while the manufacturing sector is forecast to see a decline in steel demand due to seasonal factors and a slowdown in shipbuilding work. METI expects steel exports to increase in Q1 of Japanese FY 2012 thanks to the recovery from the impact of the Thai floods and progress in inventory adjustment among overseas customers.
An official joint report on a potential free trade agreement (FTA) between Japan, China, and South Korea was released by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The Joint Study Report, which built on the Trilateral Joint Research Project conducted from 2003 to 2009, was requested by the leaders of three countries during the October 2009 Trilateral Summit in Beijing, China, and was compiled by a committee composed of government officials, business and academic participants from these three countries during seven meetings held by the committee between May 2010 and December 2011. The results will be reported to the leaders of Japan, China, and Korea at the Trilateral Summit between these countries in 2012. METI press release (dated 03/30/12) announcing availability of the report available here.
The International Trade Commission is requesting comments by June 1 on a new form for use by the ITC in connection with its investigation of Used Electronic Products: An Examination of U.S. Exports (332-528). The ITC estimates that the new form, a one-time industry questionnaire for U.S. firms acquiring, refurbishing, repairing, reselling, recycling, and/or exporting used electronics products in 2011, will have 5,000 respondents and require 2.5 hours to complete. The investigation was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative. The ITC expects to deliver the results of its investigation to the USTR by February 10, 2013.
The International Trade Commission is publishing notices in the April 4, 2012, Federal Register on the following AD/CV injury, Section 337 patent, and other trade proceedings (any notices that warrant a more detailed summary will appear in another ITT article):
The International Trade Commission is asking for comments by about April 12, 2012, on a patent complaint filed on behalf of HumanEyes Technologies, Ltd., which alleges violations of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the U.S., the sale for importation, and the sale within the U.S. after importation of certain cameras and mobile devices, related software and firmware, and components thereof and products containing the same (D/N 2891). ITC is asking for comments on any public interest issues that might affect ITC consideration, including whether the issuance of an exclusion order and/or cease and desist order would impact the public interest.
The International Trade Commission issued a limited exclusion order and a cease and desist order related to asserted claims of certain patents of certain starter motors and alternators (337-TA-755) against respondent American Automotive Parts, Inc. (AAP) of Niles, Illinois, which was previously found in default1 in this investigation. The ITC further determined that a bond of 100% of the entered value of the covered products is required to permit temporary importation during the 60-day Presidential review period under 19 USC 1337(j). The investigation, limited exclusion order, and cease and desist order were requested by Remy International, Inc. and Remy Technologies, L.L.C., both of Pendleton, Indiana.
The International Trade Commission voted to institute an investigation of certain food containers, cups, plates, cutlery, and related items, and packaging thereof (337-TA-835).
The International Trade Administration is publishing notices in the April 4, 2012, Federal Register on the following AD/CV proceedings (any notices that announce changes to AD/CV duty rates, the scope, affected firms, or effective dates will be detailed in another ITT article):
The International Trade Administration has issued the final results an antidumping duty new shipper review of certain frozen warmwater shrimp from Vietnam (A-552-802), which sets a zero AD cash deposit rate for the manufacturer/exporter Thong Thuan Company Limited and its subsidiary company, Thong Thuan Seafood Company Limited. No AD cash deposit will be required for all shipments of subject merchandise both produced and exported from Thong Thuan entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the effective date of April 4, 2012.
The International Trade Administration issued the final results of the administrative review of the antidumping duty order on polyethylene terephthalate film, sheet and strip from the United Arab Emirates (A-520-803) which sets an AD cash deposit rate for one manufacturer/exporter. The rate, effective April 4, 2012, is expected to be implemented by U.S. Customs and Border Protection soon.