The U.S. International Trade Commission released its annual report on the previous year's trade-related activities, it said in a press release (here). "The Year in Trade 2013” includes an overview of antidumping and countervailing duty, safeguard, intellectual property rights, and section 301 cases undertaken by the U.S. government in 2013. In addition, the report covers:
U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) determined Ukraine is a significant violator of intellectual property rights (IPR) protections in a Section 301 review, but will disregard the infringement at this time in light of the ongoing political transition in the country, said USTR. Under Section 301, USTR can retaliate against countries it classifies as IPR violators. In May 2013, USTR determined the Ukrainian government used infringing software and the country hosted infringement of copyright and related rights.
The Senate unanimously confirmed Gil Kerlikowske as CBP commissioner by voice vote on March 6, in a move that ensures a Senate-confirmed commissioner will lead CBP for the first time in nearly five years. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, along with some industry leaders, praised the confirmation.
The U.S. Trade Representative extended the Section 301 investigation of Ukraine for three months, pledging to make a determination by Feb. 28, 2014, on Ukrainian intellectual property rights (IPR) violations. Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 permits the U.S. to retaliate against unfair trade practices (here). USTR launched the investigation in May, labeling Ukraine a priority foreign country. “This designation is the culmination of several years of growing concern over widespread IP theft, including the growing entrenchment of IPR infringement that is facilitated by government actors,” the USTR report said at the time (here). Further information: Elizabeth Kendall, 202-395-3580, Isabella Detwiler, 202-395-6146, or Shannon Nestor, 202-395-3150.
The U.S. International Trade Commission released “The Year in Trade 2012,” its annual overview of the previous year's trade-related activities. The Year in Trade 2012 includes complete listings of antidumping, countervailing duty, safeguard, intellectual property rights infringement, and section 301 cases undertaken by the U.S. government in 2012. In addition, the report covers:
The U.S. Trade Representative should name China a Priority Foreign Country because of alleged trade secret theft by the country, Democratic leaders of the House Ways and Means Committee said March 28. “We have known for some time that the Government of China does not do enough to enforce the intellectual property of U.S. innovators in China. But government-sponsored theft of trade secrets would put China in an entirely different category,” said Committee Ranking Member Sandy Levin, D-Mich., and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Charles Rangel, D-N.Y. in a letter sent to Acting USTR Demetrios Marantis. “Given the evidence of this egregious conduct, the corresponding damage to our businesses, and the fact that China is in breach of its [World Trade Organization] obligations, we urge you to consider designating China a Priority Foreign Country for Special 301 purposes.”
The International Trade Commission is beginning an investigation of the effects of import restraints on U.S. consumers and firms, the income and employment of U.S. workers, and the net economic welfare of the U.S., as well as the contribution of services to manufacturing. The resulting report will be the eighth update of the original report on import restraints delivered to the U.S. Trade Representative in 1993. The investigation will not assess import restraints resulting from antidumping or countervailing duty investigations, section 337 and 406 investigations, or section 301 actions, the ITC said. Comments are due by April 12, and the ITC plans a public hearing in connection with this investigation on March 19.
FDA Extends Food Facility Registration Period to Jan. 31; Updates Info on Suspension of Registration
The Food and Drug Administration is extending until Jan. 31 the period of biennial registration renewal for foreign and foreign food facilities, it said in an update to its Q&A on food facility registration. FDA said it is taking this action because of the delay in beginning the period of registration renewal, which was required to start by Oct. 1, but did not begin until Oct. 22. The guidance said FDA is “exercising enforcement discretion” for food facilities that register during the Jan. 1-31 period, and encouraged facilities to register early.
In a June 14 warning letter recently posted to its website, the Food and Drug Administration said Chinese drug manufacturer Shijiazhuang Pharma Group Zhongnuo Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd.’s products may not be allowed entry into the U.S. until the company renews its registration. Zhongnuo had previously been notified of its lapsed registration in an FDA letter dated March 26, but the FDA said it continued to find imports of Zhongnuo’s drugs even though the company hadn’t registered in 2011 or 2012. FDA said Zhongnuo is required to submit registration information annually by electronic means for each foreign establishment it owns or operates that is engaged in the manufacture, preparation, propagation, compounding, or processing of a drug that is imported or offered for import into the U.S. Failure to register is a prohibited act under Section 301(p) of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
The U.S. International Trade Commission released “The Year in Trade 2011,” its annual overview of the previous year's trade-related activities. The Year in Trade 2011 includes complete listings of antidumping, countervailing duty, safeguard, intellectual property rights infringement, and section 301 cases undertaken by the U.S. government in 2010. In addition, the 2011 report covers: