The Energy Department says it is revising its procedures related to the approval of facilities to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) to non-free trade agreement (FTA) countries. Effective Aug. 15, DOE will no longer issue conditional approvals while the application awaits a decision on environmental impact by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The agency will process applications in the order they become ready, rather than any predetermined order of precedence. The change will not affect conditional approvals already issued by DOE, it said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will hold a webcast on Oct. 24 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to discuss its import permit program. The webcast will include information on permits to import (1) infectious biological agents, infectious substances, or vectors known to transfer or that are capable of transferring an infectious biological agent to a human; and (2) items that contain or may contain dangerous agricultural pests and diseases. Representatives from the Department of Transportation and Agriculture will also be present to answer questions, said CDC. Registration is required by Oct. 1 (here).

The Indian government appealed on Aug. 8 the recent World Trade Organization decision in favor of the U.S. in a dispute involving U.S. countervailing duties on Indian hot-rolled carbon steel flat products. A WTO dispute settlement panel released a report to the public in July that rejected consideration of Indian claims that the U.S. violates the “facts available” provision in the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures. The case is outside the panel’s “terms of reference,” said the ruling. The panel did conclude the U.S. violated WTO agreement on a number of grounds, mostly involving iron ore inputs (here). The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative defended the WTO ruling at the time, saying the WTO agreement does not specify which facts should be selected in such circumstances, and therefore the Indian claims are invalid (see 14071518). The appellate body usually takes up to three months to make a decision, said the WTO.

Lobbyists may serve on federal advisory committees if they’re representing the interests of a nongovernmental entity like a company or industry association, said the Office of Management and Budget in an update to earlier guidance. The move marks a change from final guidance issued by OMB in 2011 that said all lobbyists required to register with the federal government cannot serve on advisory committees, commissions, boards, or similar groups organized under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which include Industry Trade Advisory Committees for the U.S. Trade Representative and Commerce Department.

The Federal Trade Commission is updating EnergyGuide labels for central air conditioners, heat pumps, and weatherized furnaces in order to add new ranges of energy efficiency ratings for comparable products. The amendments will come into effect Jan. 1, 2015 alongside other changes to EnergyGuide labels for air conditioners, heat pumps, and furnaces that were finalized in February 2013 (here), it said.

The Energy Department is proposing to update energy efficiency test procedures required for refrigerated bottled or canned beverage vending machines. Under the proposed rule, the new test procedures would be required 180 days after publication of a final rule. Comments are due Oct. 26.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) appellate body decision to affirm that China violated trade rules through its export restraint regime on two rare earth metals, tungsten and molybdenum, marks an “important victory,” said U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman on Aug. 8 as he urged China to “implement the ruling without delay.” U.S. companies use the rare earths in hybrid car batteries, wind turbines, energy-efficient lighting, steel, advanced electronics, automobiles, petroleum and chemicals, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has said (see 14032613). “This report marks the end of a long back and forth on this issue. It’s the end of the line for this dispute,” said Froman on a conference call with reporters. “China’s decision to promote its own industry has caused U.S. manufacturers to pay as much as three times more than what their Chinese competitors pay for the exact same rare earth elements.”

The International Trade Commission is finalizing changes to its rules on the treatment of classified national security information. The final rule amends the ITC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure for Mandatory Declassification Reviews on whether to make public classified information. The new regulations take effect Sept. 8.

The U.S. goods and services deficit decreased to $41.5 billion in June from $44.7 billion in April, the Census Bureau said. The goods deficit decreased $3 billion in June. Goods exports increased $0.1 billion to $136.9 billion, and goods imports decreased $2.9 billion to $197.2 billion, said Census. The U.S. registered export increases in consumer goods ($0.4 billion); automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($0.2 billion); and industrial supplies and materials ($0.1 billion). The May to June fall in imports of goods reflected decreases in consumer goods ($1.3 billion); automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($1.1 billion); industrial supplies and materials ($0.5 billion); and capital goods ($0.3 billion). Some economists and export proponents praised the figure, saying two straight months of deficit reduction represents a promising trend. "That is encouraging news, particularly given recent weaknesses in growing export sales," said National Association Manufacturers Chief Economist Chad Moutray in a statement (here). "Overall, manufactured goods exports have increased from $588.58 billion year-to-date in 2013 to $591.17 billion in 2014 (non-seasonally adjusted). This represents an increase of just 0.4 percent from last year, which would be a deceleration from last year’s 2.4 percent pace."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is eyeing the South African market for increased trade and investment, in light of the country’s significant recent progress in the manufacturing, infrastructure and technology sectors, said chamber President Tom Donohue in remarks on Aug. 4 prior to a speech by South African President Jacob Zuma. “Over the past 20 years, South Africa has undergone an extraordinary transformation in terms of improved security, economic growth, and social development,” said Donohue. “The bottom line is the U.S Chamber and our members are bullish on South Africa -- on its people, its progress, and its future.” South Africa exports significant amounts of automotive products to the U.S. through AGOA (see 14050616).