The International Trade Administration and Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs released on March 9, 2012 the “U.S.-Swiss Safe Harbor Framework: A Guide to Self-Certification,” which provides detailed information to U.S. firms navigating Switzerland’s data protection laws. The U.S.-Swiss Safe Harbor Framework, launched in February 2009, provides a streamlined means for U.S. organizations to comply with Switzerland’s data protection laws and helps U.S. companies to avoid experiencing interruptions in their business transactions with Swiss companies. More than 1,600 U.S. companies currently participate in the Framework.
On March 7, 2012, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sanchez spoke before the American Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi. Sanchez, highlighting the U.S.-Vietnam trade relationship, noted that U.S. exports to Vietnam grew almost 17% last year to roughly $4.3 billion, which is four times the value of exports in 2006. However, Sanchez stated, U.S. exports still only account for about 4% of Vietnam’s total 2011 imports. According to Sanchez, the Trans-Pacific Partnership is an important effort in helping U.S. businesses to reach their potential in Vietnam.
The Foreign Trade Zones Board announced that it has scheduled two new grantee-focused webinars. The first webinar, on March 14, 2012 at 1:00 pm, will cover grantees’ submitting their annual reports to the FTZ Board via the Online FTZ Information System (OFIS). The webinar content will be specific to grantees’ reviewing operator reports and filling out and submitting their annual report to the FTZ Board using OFIS.
The International Trade Commission is asking for comments by approximately March 17, 2012 on a patent complaint filed on behalf of Fabri-Kal Corporation 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 food containers, cups, plates, cutlery, and related items, and packaging thereof (D/N 2883). 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 is asking for comments by approximately March 17, 2012 on a patent complaint filed on behalf of Graphics Properties Holdings, Inc. 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 consumer electronics and display devices and products containing same (D/N 2882). 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 has announced that it is considering what the effects of a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders directed against certain semiconductor chips and products containing same (337-TA-753) would have upon the public welfare, competition conditions in the U.S., and U.S. consumers, in light of a March 2, 2012 Administrative Law Judge recommended determination on remedy and bonding. Comments are due by March 26, 2012.
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.