The Congressional Research Service has issued a report on U.S.-Brazil Relations. Among other things, the report discusses Brazil's leading role in the World Trade Organization Doha round, discusses the WTO ruling against U.S. subsidies to cotton, and raises concerns over its IPR protection, in particular regarding Brazil's May 2007 breaking of a HIV/AIDS drug patent by Merck & Co. in order to import a cheaper version of that drug from India.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published notice of the following voluntary recalls:
The Census Bureau released data indicating that retail sales declined 1.2 percent in May 2010. However, retail sales grew 6.4 percent overall this quarter, following an increase of 8.2 percent in the first quarter. “Today's data reflects what we know to be true: uncertainty remains and there is work left to do to ensure long-term economic stability,” Commerce Secretary Locke said.
According to the Census Bureau, the U.S. international trade deficit in goods and services increased to $40.3 billion in April from $40.0 billion (revised) in March, as exports decreased more than imports.
The Justice Department reports the conviction of two New York importers in one of the largest counterfeit luxury goods prosecutions in U.S. history, with the infringing goods valued at more than $100 million. Chong Lam and Siu Yung Chan, aka Joyce Chan had imported counterfeit handbags, wallets, purses and carry-on bags from China. Lam and Chan each face a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the conspiracy count, 10 years in prison and a $2 million fine for each trafficking count, and 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each smuggling count.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is correcting its June 4, 2010 Federal Register notice of requirements for infant bath seat third-party testing accreditation in order to correct three dates.
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists those applying for ocean transportation intermediary licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:
Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued two notices that either reissue or revoke an ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) license, as follows:
On June 9, 2010, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated two individuals and two entities linked to the international drug trafficking organization La Familia Michoacana as Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers (SDNTs).