Shippers' NewsWire has reported that the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is planning to issue a proposed rule that would free up licensing requirements on numerous U.S. exports to China, while maintaining restrictions on dual-use items. According to the report, the proposed rule will be published soon and will be followed by a 120-day comment period. (Shippers' NewsWire Pub 06/12/06, www.americanshipper.com)
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective June 12, 2006, which amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by expanding export and reexport controls on certain biological agents and toxins (referred to as select agents and toxins) that have been determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to have the potential to pose a severe threat to human, animal, and plant life, as well as certain sectors of the U.S. economy (e.g. agriculture).
On June 8, 2006, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Susan C. Schwab as the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). Schwab replaces Rob Portman, who was recently confirmed by the Senate as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. (Congressional Record, 06/08/06, http://thomas.loc.gov.)
BIS Final Rule Amends EAR to Impose General Order on Mayrow General Trading and Its Related Entities
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective June 5, 2006, amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) at 15 CFR Parts 736 and 744 to impose a General Order on Mayrow General Trading and its related entities.
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a notice announcing that it is withdrawing the advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) in which it identified certain recommendations made by the Department of Commerce's Office of Inspector General (OIG) to revise the existing requirements and policies for deemed export licensing in 15 CFR Parts 734 and 772.
Sources at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) have stated that they expect the U.S. to sign the bilateral World Trade Organization (WTO) accession agreement on market access with Vietnam after the Senate confirms Schwab as the new USTR. According to Washington Trade Daily, Schwab was not confirmed by the Senate (as expected) on Friday, May 26, 2006 due to a "hold" imposed by one Senator regarding an issue unrelated to her nomination. (WTD, dated 05/29/06, www.washingtontradedaily.com )
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a notice in which it (1) announces the creation of a Federal Advisory Committee that will review and provide recommendations to the Commerce Department on deemed export policy; and (2) provides an overview of steps BIS has taken to improve understanding of deemed export policy within industry and academia.
The Washington File reports that negotiators from the U.S. and Japan ended talks in Tokyo on May 19, 2006, without reaching a final agreement on conditions for the restoration of U.S. exports of beef and beef products to Japan. The article notes that the Japanese government accepted an in-depth audit report by the U.S. government; however, the two sides failed to establish a timeline for resolving the trade impasse, which has continued for four months. (Washington File Pub 05/22/06, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=May&x=20060522180452ASesuarK0.6474268&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)
According to Washington Trade Daily, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Grassley has stated that he will not move legislation to reauthorize the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program - slated to expire on December 31, 2006 - because some beneficiary countries, particularly India and Brazil, are holding up the Doha Round of World Trade Organization talks. The article also states that Ways and Means Chairman Thomas last month suggested that GSP and all other U.S. trade preference programs be allowed to expire. (WTD, dated 05/17/06, www.washingtontradedaily.com )
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective May 12, 2006, which revises 15 CFR 766.23(c) to make the appeal procedure for any person named as a related person to the respondent in an order denying export privileges identical to the appeal procedure for the respondent in that order. (BIS final rule, FR Pub 05/12/06, D/N 060320077-6077-01) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-4420.pdf.)