Shippers' NewsWire reports that although the U.S. is disappointed by World Trade Organization (WTO) deadlock on agricultural trade, it has pledged to continue its efforts to liberalize global agricultural trade and reduce barriers to industrial goods. (American Shipper Pub 07/03/06, www.americanshipper.com.)
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a proposed rule to amend the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by expanding and revising U.S. licensing requirements and licensing policy on exports and reexports of goods and technology to the People's Republic of China (PRC), etc.
The Treasury Department has published its current list of countries that may require participation in, or cooperation with, an international boycott. The countries included on this list are:
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has announced that it will hold a meeting on July 17, 2006 in Washington, DC for companies, organizations, and individuals that have an interest in understanding the U.S.' revised policy for exports and reexports of dual-use items to the People's Republic of China (PRC) as presented in BIS' July 6, 2006 proposed rule.
The State Department has issued a notice announcing that the Secretary of State has determined and certified to Congress that Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Venezuela are not fully cooperating with U.S. antiterrorism efforts. The State Department notes that Libya was not included on the list as it has taken significant and meaningful steps during the past three years to repudiate its past support for terrorism and to cooperate with the U.S. in its antiterrorism efforts. (State Dept Public Notice 5411, FR Pub 05/18/06, http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-4656.pdf.)
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a proposed rule to amend the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by expanding and revising U.S. licensing requirements and licensing policy on exports and reexports of goods and technology to the People's Republic of China (PRC), etc.
The Journal of Commerce reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection is considering requiring an additional ten extra pieces of data from importers, and two extra pieces of data from carriers, for advance cargo manifest purposes. The article adds that CBP will publish a proposed rule on filing these additional data elements (which may include names of addresses of buyers and sellers, where the container is stuffed, and country of origin) in "the not too distant" future. (JoC, 06/12/06, www.joc.com )
The Journal of Commerce reports that infrastructure expansion at ports, which seemed unlikely to happen due to challenges presented by environmental and community groups, are likely to move forward due to advancements in fuel and engine technology. Transportation companies believe that they are now capable of achieving sufficient reductions in pollution from vessels and trucks, which could convince the regulators that the much-needed infrastructure projects should begin. (JoC, 06/12/06, www.joc.com.)
On June 15, 2006, the President signed into law H.R. 4939, the 2006 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror and Hurricane Recovery. This bill provides border security funding for hiring of new Border Patrol Agents, etc. (White House fact sheet, dated 06/15/06, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/06/20060615-15.html; Senate Appropriations Committee press release, dated 06/08/06, available at http://appropriations.senate.gov/hearmarkups/06-06-06FY06Hurricane&WarSuppConference.mht.)
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a press release announcing that FMC Chairman Steven R. Blust has announced that he intends to leave the FMC after the completion of his current term, once his replacement nominee has been confirmed by the Senate. The press release notes that Chairman Blust's term officially ends on June 30, 2006. (FMC press release NR-03, dated 06/13/06, available at http://www.fmc.gov/speeches/newsrelease.asp?SPEECH_ID=220.)