The International Trade Commission released a public version of its confidential report on the probable economic effect of possible modifications to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which provides duty-free treatment for specified U.S. imports from certain developing countries. The confidential version of the report, “Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2011 Review of Additions and Competitive Need Limitation Waivers,” was submitted to the U.S. Trade Representative May 14. The public version censors the ITC’s advice on each modification.
Mexico's Diario Oficial of May 25, 2012, lists notices from the Secretary of the Economy as follows:
The European Union requested WTO consultations with Argentina on May 25, 2012 concerning the latter’s import restrictive measures, said the World Trade Organization. According to the WTO, further information on the complaint will be available in the coming days.
A statement by a coalition of 14 Chinese solar panel companies said the International Trade Administration did not protect the rights and interests of Chinese companies during the investigation of solar cells from China, which according to the coalition is arbitrary and results oriented. In particular, said the coalition, the companies’ production costs were particularly distorted in the investigation, in which preliminary AD rates of 31.14% to 249.96% were announced on May 16. Xinhua’s report said the Chinese companies hope the ITA will correct the incorrect and unjust acts committed against these companies in later antidumping investigations.
China requested WTO consultations with the U.S. about U.S. countervailing duty orders on 22 Chinese products, reports Chinese state media agency Xinhua. According to a statement by China’s Ministry of Commerce, the CV orders are inconsistent with WTO rules in many aspects, including application of the term of public bodies, specificity, facts available and U.S. consideration of export restriction measures as subsidies. Products at issue in China’s complaint include solar cells, on which the U.S. imposed preliminary CV rates of 2.9% - 4.73% on March 26, as well as oil country tubular goods, coated paper, and steel wheels.
The International Trade Administration published notices in the May 25, 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 issued a fact sheet announcing its affirmative preliminary determinations in the antidumping duty investigations of circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe from India (A-533-852), Vietnam (552-811), Oman (A-523-801), and the United Arab Emirates (A-520-805), which found preliminary AD rates of 48.43% for India, zero to 27.96% for Vietnam, 5.59% for Oman, and 3.29% to 11.71% for the UAE. The official notice of the ITA's preliminary determinations, which will trigger the implementation of the AD cash deposit or bond requirements for subject merchandise, will be published in the Federal Register soon.
The International Trade Administration made a preliminary affirmative antidumping determination that crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled into modules, from China (A-570-979) are being, or are likely to be, sold in the U.S. at less than fair value. The ITA found preliminary AD rates of 31.14% to 249.96%, which are effective February 25, 2012 for all firms. U.S. Customs is expected to implement these AD cash deposit/bond requirements soon.
On May 24, 2012, the Food and Drug Administration posted new and revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:
The Food and Drug Administration announced the availability of a guidance for industry entitled “Meeting with Industry and Investigators on the Research and Development of Tobacco Products,” which describes FDA’s current policies and recommendations on FDA meetings with tobacco manufacturers, imports, researchers, and/or investigators relating to their plans to conduct research to inform the regulation of tobacco products, or support the development or marketing of tobacco products. FDA said this guidance does not pertain to other types of meetings or meeting requests with Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) staff. FDA is requesting comments on the guidance, which may be submitted at any time. FDA is also asking for comments, due by July 24, 2012, on two proposed information collections on (i) recommended materials to be included in such a meeting request, and (ii) recommended materials to be included in a meeting information package.