According to a Washington File report, the Treasury Department has found that no major U.S. trading partner manipulated its currency in the last six months of 2003 to gain unfair competitive advantage or prevent balance of payment adjustments. Treasury's report also reiterated the U.S. position endorsed by major industrialized countries that a pegged exchange rate policy is not appropriate for a major economy such as China. (Washington File Pub 04/16/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=April&x=20040416122714SAikceinawz4.645938e-02&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)
According to The Journal of Commerce, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) released a report that sharply criticized the 10 largest U.S. seaports for their environmental records, indicating that lawsuits would follow if the ports don't clean up their act. (JoC March 29-April 4, 2002, www.joc.com )
The State Department has issued a notice stating that there will be a public meeting of a Study Group of the Secretary of State's Advisory Committee on Private International Law on April 20, 2004. The study group will consider the draft instrument on the International Transport Law under negotiation at the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. (Public Notice 4656, FR Pub 04/09/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-8109.pdf)
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that a World Trade Organization (WTO) panel has agreed with the U.S. that Canada's grain distribution system is unfair and violates Canada's WTO obligations. The panel did, however, find against the U.S. with respect to its claims that certain practices of the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) are unfair. (USTR Press Release 2004-28, dated 04/06/04, available at http://www.ustr.gov/releases/2004/04/04-28.pdf)
Shippers' NewsWire reports that the World Customs Organization (WCO) has finalized a set of recommendations on the advance electronic submission of cargo information for all transport modes, which the WCO task force on security will present to the council in June 2004 for adoption. The article notes that in the U.S., the guidelines are already in the process of implementation. (SNW dated 04/06/04, www.americanshipper.com)
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective March 30, 2004, which, among other things, amends the Commerce Control List (CCL) to remove "National Security " (NS) controls from, and to impose "Regional Stability" (RS) controls on, certain items in order to conform with certain provisions of the Export Administration Act (Act), which limits the duration of U.S. unilaterally imposed NS controls.
Shippers NewsWire reports that the National Harbor Association has called the U.S. government's diversion of taxpayer dollars to overseas port improvement projects "disturbing," especially given the fact that the Army Corps of Engineer's annual budget for U.S. port maintenance and upgrades continues to come up short. (SNW dated 03/23/04, www.americanshipper.com.)
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports that a group of specialists believe the U.S. sanctions against Myanmar (formerly Burma) haven't achieved their aims and have been counterproductive in moving that country toward democracy. The Seattle-based Myanmar specialists have issued a report which concludes that U.S. sanctions aren't working because of Myanmar's growing ties with China, India, and its Southeast Asian neighbors. (WSJ Pub 03/25/04)
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective March 18, 2004, which, among other things, amends 15 CFR Parts 745 and 774 to implement certain understandings reached at the June 2003 plenary meeting of the Australia Group (AG).
The Journal of Commerce (JoC) reports that ocean carriers are strongly opposed to a security fee of $1 per foot of vessel length proposed by the South Carolina State Ports Authority. According to JoC, the charge will take effect in July and is expected to bring in $1 million to cover increased security costs. (JoC Pub 03/15 - 21/04, www.joc.com)