The International Trade Administration published a notice correcting its March 1, 2012 opportunity to request administrative reviews to correct the review period for polyvinyl alcohol from Taiwan (A-583-841). Specifically, while the original notice stated that the review period is 09/13/11 -- 02/29/12, the correct period of review is 09/13/10 - 02/29/12.
The International Trade Administration has issued the preliminary results of its administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain frozen warmwater shrimp from Vietnam (A-552-802) for 34 companies and the Vietnam-wide entity (unchanged since last review). These preliminary results are not in effect. The ITA may modify them in the final results of this review and change the estimated AD cash deposit rate for these companies.
On February 28, 2012, the Office of Management and Budget released the United States-Mexico High-Level Regulatory Cooperation Council (HLRCC) Work Plan, which is an outline of activities, to be carried out by the HLRCC for a period of two years, with regard to reducing administrative burdens and aligning regulations between the U.S. and Mexico. The HLRCC's plan will be reviewed and modified as appropriate, on an annual basis. The Plan focuses on several sectoral issues in the following areas: food, transportation, nanotechnology, e-health, oil and gas drilling, and conformity assessment.
The Department of Energy announced that it is establishing the Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee (ASRAC), which will provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Energy on matters concerning the DOE’s Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards Program’s test procedures and rulemaking process. Nominations for members are due by April 2, 2012.
The International Trade Administration released new data on March 6, 2012, showing that international merchandise trade exports from 377 U.S. metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) totaled $1.13 trillion in 2010. ITA states that much of the growth in exports in the largest metropolitan areas, such as New York, Houston, and Los Angeles was concentrated particularly in transportation equipment, chemical manufacturing and other general manufacturing. According to the ITA, since the launch of the President’s National Export Initiative in 2010, merchandise exports from MSAs have increased 15.4% over 2009 levels.
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) released a report on March 8, 2012 entitled, “Occupying the Information High Ground: Chinese Capabilities for Computer Network Operations and Cyber Espionage.” The report details how China is advancing its capabilities in computer network attack, defense, and exploitation and examines issues related to cybersecurity, China, and potential risks to U.S. national security and economic interests. The report was prepared for the USCC by Northrop Grumman Corp, and is a follow-up to an earlier 2009 report.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a proposed rule to amend the Export Sales Reporting Requirements to add reporting for pork (fresh, chilled, and frozen box/primal cuts) and distellers dried grain (DDG). Under this proposed rule, all exporters of U.S. pork and DDG would be required to report, on a weekly basis, information on the export sales of pork and DDGs to the Foreign Agricultural Service. Comments on this proposed rule are due by May 7, 2012.
According to the International Trade Commission, a section 337 patent complaint on certain digital models, digital data, and treatment plans for use, in making incremental dental positioning adjustment appliances, the appliances made therefrom, and methods of making the same, was filed on behalf of Align Technology on March 1, 2012. Proposed respondents are:
According to the International Trade Commission, a section 337 patent complaint on certain incremental dental positioning adjustment appliances and methods of producing same, was filed on behalf of Align Technology Inc. on March 1, 2012. Proposed respondents are:
The International Trade Commission has voted to institute an investigation of certain ink application devices and components thereof, and methods of using the same. The products at issue in this investigation are ink application devices used in tattooing and permanent makeup application - specifically, disposable needle cartridges designed to reduce health risks associated with the application (337-TA-832).