Mexico’s Secretary of Economy Bruno Ferrari called for the further opening of markets to improve economic growth, at an April 18-21 ministerial meeting preceding the G20 Leaders’ Summit to be held in June in Mexico. Ferrari also said three sessions will be held during this ministerial meeting, where Mexico will propose issues including (i) the importance of global value chains and the negative effect that barriers to imports have on these chains’ ability to function smoothly, and (ii) the relationship between trade and economic growth and employment.
The World Trade Organization posted the details of India’s request for consultations with the U.S. concerning countervailing duties imposed by the International Trade Administration on certain steel products. India challenges the original investigation, a sunset a review, and several administrative reviews of the CV order on certain hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from India (C-533-821), as well as certain provisions of 19 CFR 351 and the Tariff Act of 1930, as inconsistent with U.S. WTO obligations under the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (ASCM).
Sharp Corporation is recalling certain refrigerators due to a serious product accident that occurred in a model of refrigerator manufactured by Sharp, resulting in extensive damage, including fire damage to the surrounding area, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said. The cause of the accident is currently being investigated, but it is thought that the refrigerator overheated due to a quality differential between the components in the start relay (an electrical part that starts the refrigerator) used for starting the compressor, and that the resin parts used throughout the product caught fire. To prevent further accidents, Sharp Corporation issued a press release to let consumers know that they will conduct inspections and replace the parts of certain refrigerators free. The recalled products include 24 models comprising 737,080 refrigerators.
Trade finance may be vulnerable to the Euro-area financial crisis, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports in its April 2012 World Economic Outlook. The IMF says that signs trouble in trade finance markets have already become apparent, although though the problem appears manageable so far.
The International Trade Administration concluded a week-long clean energy and energy efficiency trade mission to Saudi Arabia. The ITA was joined by representatives from the Department of Energy, Ex-Im Bank, and 13 U.S. businesses from the solar, green building, smart grid and energy efficiency sectors seeking to help Saudi Arabia meet its renewable energy and energy efficiency goals.
The International Trade Commission is publishing notices in the April 19, 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 voted to institute an investigation of certain consumer electronics, including mobile phones and tablets (337-TA-839).
According to the International Trade Commission, a section 337 patent complaint on certain electronic devices having a retractable USB connector was filed on behalf of Anu IP LLC. on April 18, 2012. The proposed respondents are:
On April 18, 2012, the Foreign Agricultural Service issued the following GAIN reports:
The Food Safety and Inspection Service recently revised export requirements and plant lists for the following countries: