The U.S. Census Bureau has announced that in 2009, U.S. related-party trade accounted for over 40 percent ($1,048 billion) of total goods trade ($2,615 billion). In addition, related-party trade decreased slightly less (22 percent) in 2009 than total trade (which decreased by 23 percent).

Senior U.S. trade officials encouraged China to create an open environment for innovation and make progress on other priority trade issues at the first-ever Mid-Year Review for the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade. The U.S. is focusing on indigenous innovation, improving intellectual property rights enforcement, and ending regulations that block U.S. agricultural exports.

In addition, the International Trade Commission issues a number of AD, CV, patent, and other notices which do not warrant a full summary.

The International Trade Administration has amended its preliminary affirmative antidumping determination for certain seamless carbon and alloy steel standard, line, and pressure pipe from China (seamless pipe) (A-570-956).

The International Trade Administration has issued the final results of its antidumping duty administrative review of certain helical spring lock washers from China (A-570-822) for the period of October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008.

The International Trade Commission has instituted a section 337 patent-based investigation of certain decorative lighting fixtures, pursuant to a complaint (Inv. No. 337-TA-719).

The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a final rule, effective May 28, 2010, which amends the Entity List¹ to remove and amend certain information for entities in Hong Kong, Egypt, and Israel, pursuant to the End-User Review Committee 2009 annual review.

On May 26, 2010, the Commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission unanimously approved publication of a final rule establishing a mandatory standard for infant walkers.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a notice seeking comment on the possible modification or termination of its April 2009 imposition of a 10% additional duty on imports of softwood lumber from certain Canadian provinces, as Canada is taking steps to address the situation through the imposition of a 10% export charge.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a revised CSMS message on the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s requirement that plant materials be reported on the Lacey Act declaration using standardized units of measure (such as kg, m, m2, and m3), effective May 1, 2010.