The International Trade Administration received a petition on March 1, 2012 to initiate antidumping and countervailing duty investigations for drawn stainless steel sinks from China. ITA is accepting comments on domestic industry support for the petition to determine whether the petition meets the dual requirements of support by domestic producers or workers accounting for (1) at least 25% of the total production of the domestic like product and (2) more than 50% of the production of the domestic like product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the petition. Comments are due by 5:00 pm on March 21, 2012.
On March 7, 2012 the following trade-related bill was introduced:
The House Foreign Affairs Committee on March 7, 2012 unanimously approved the Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act of 2012 (H.R. 3783), which would require the Secretary of State to use existing funds to create a tailored strategy to fight the activities of Iran and its proxies in the Western Hemisphere. See Committee Chairman Ros-Lehtinen’s press release (dated 03/07/12) here.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously approved legislation on March 7, 2012 that strengthens sanctions against the Syrian regime. The Syria Freedom Support Act (H.R. 2106) imposes new sanctions targeting the Syrian energy and financial sectors, and proliferation activities. Among other measures, the bill also contains new sanctions targeting top regime officials, a visa ban on persons who provide the Syrian regime with military equipment, and authorization for financial and political assistance to entities that support a peaceful democratic transition in Syria.
On March 6, 2012 the Senate resumed consideration of S. 1813, which would reauthorize the Federal-Aid Highway and highway safety construction programs. On March 7, 2012 the Senate agreed to proceed to consideration of amendments to the bill starting March 8 and, if the package of amendments is agreed to, S. 1813 will be up for full Senate vote.
At the February 21, 2012 COAC meeting, U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated that the agency was developing a 5-year antidumping and countervailing duty enforcement strategy as well as a trade intelligence program, while COAC’s AD/CV Subcommittee expressed interest in AD/CV retrospective, bonding, and scope review issues.
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced on March 6, 2012 that the U.S. Government requested consultations with the Government of India under the dispute settlement provisions of the World Trade Organization (WTO) concerning India’s prohibition on certain American agricultural exports, including poultry meat and chicken eggs.
The International Trade Commission is asking for comments by approximately March 15, 2012 on a patent complaint filed on behalf of Align Technology, 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 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 (D/N 2880). 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.
According to the International Trade Commission, a section 337 patent complaint on certain food containers, cups, plates, cutlery, and related items, and packaging thereof, was filed on behalf of Fabri-Kal Corporation on March 6, 2012. Proposed respondents are:
According to the International Trade Commission, a section 337 patent complaint on certain consumer electronics and display devices and products containing same, was filed on behalf of Graphics Properties Holdings Inc. on March 5, 2012. Proposed respondents are: