CHS Inc. of St. Paul, Minn.; and Zen-Noh, Tokyo, Japan, said CHS has acquired 51 percent of CZL Ltd., a joint venture company that will supply commodities, primarily wheat and barley, to Japan. CZL will market commodities that are primarily sourced in the U.S., Canada and Australia, to Japan.

Speaking about the Strategic & Economic Dialogue (S&ED) with China in Beijing last week, US-China Business Council (USCBC) President John Frisbie said "the level-playing field and market access issues addressed during the past two days represent meaningful progress." He said U.S. exports to China surpassed $100 billion last year, and adding exports that go through Hong Kong, and sales in China by American companies operating there, the China market for American products and services probably approaches $250 billion or more. "We need to build upon and even expand this engagement to fit the size of our most important economic and commercial relationship in the years ahead," Frisbie said.

Registration for the July-December Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) course is now available, the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America said. Students with at least one year of experience in the U.S. import industry, or current Canadian CCS holders who want to expand their base knowledge, can apply through May 31. Details are (here). Registration is (here). Additional broker or forwarder training information is (here). Additional information: Cecilia Ferrara at nei@ncbfaa.org or 202-466-0222.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is "encouraged" by the talks in Beijing between the U.S. and China, said Myron Brilliant, senior vice president of international affairs: "We believe they provide a solid basis for the two sides to engage in the coming months and years to promote market-based economic reforms that support rebalancing, increase two-way commercial opportunities, strengthen and promote innovation, and protect and enforce intellectual property rights." He said the Chamber supports both governments re-starting negotiations on a high-standard bilateral investment treaty (BIT).

Governments should promote sustainable solar markets by allowing the solar industry to trade freely and fairly on the basis of quality, technology, service, and price, said the newly formed Global Solar Council. "As a global industry with customers, producers and supply chains around the world, solar PV depends on international trade for its continued success," it said in a statement.

A 9% decline year-over-year in airfreight tonnage during the first quarter of 2012 caused Expeditors International of Washington net earnings to fall to $76.7 million for the first quarter of 2012, from $91.2 million for the same quarter of 2011. Net revenue decreased 2% to $446.6 million, it said.

Sempra Energy said its Cameron LNG subsidiary signed a third and final commercial development agreement with a subsidiary of GDF SUEZ Ltd. to develop a natural gas liquefaction export facility at the site of the Cameron LNG receipt terminal in Louisiana. Earlier agreements were signed with Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (See ITT Online Archives [Ref.12041823]). The completed liquefaction facility is expected to have a total export capability of 12 million tonnes per annum of liquefied natural gas, or about 1.7 billion cubic feet per day. Pending regulatory approvals and achievement of other key milestones, the company plans to start construction of the facility next year and begin operations in late 2016.

California Grapes International said it launched its new Broker Alliance Program (BAP), which specifically targets the convergence of the California Wines Industry’s Export Brokers. CGI said international markets pose a significant challenge for the current export brokers due to the competition of well organized, well-supported and often subsidized wine producing countries. BAP is intended to provide a more consolidated international sales effort, in addition to uniform export documents and policies, an in-market presence and the assurance of complying with the proper import procedures and customs registration. Members of“BAP will also become owners of California Grapes International through a stock base incentive program. it said.

Increased furniture and auto parts shipments to the U.S. meant containerized imports in March rose 7.3 percent over 2011, according to data in the Journal of Commerce Container Shipping Outlook. The increase to 1,373,301 20-foot equivalent units followed a 5.9 percent decline in February, the report said. Imports were 15.2 percent in March, compared to February. For the full first quarter, imports grew 2 percent year-over-year to 4,032,857 TEUs, it said. Imports from Asia for the first quarter barely rose 0.5 percent. China showed the most gains, up 13 percent, or 66,681 TEUs, to a total of 579,181 TEUs.

Zepol Corp. released its latest trade data tool, ComplianceIQ, which is intended to help U.S. importers adhere to U.S. government import regulations. It combines multiple import-compliance data sets within one online interface, which allows users to find the exact information they need, for specific HTS Codes, Zepol said. The company said users can view product classifications, search by binding rulings, tariffs, quotas, antidumping duties, and more, reducing the risk of import penalties.