Deputy U.S. Trade Representative and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization Punke issued a statement on WTO Director-General Lamy's assessment of the current deadlock in the Doha negotiations. Punke agrees with Lamy that there is a fundamental gap in expectations among key Members in non-agricultural market access (i.e. industrial tariffs) but states that services and agriculture also have fundamental differences. He said, “We need to determine - collectively - whether some branch of the current path can lead us to the finish line. If so, let’s all get to work. If not, we need to consider the viability of other pathways."
U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
The U.S. cabinet level position that oversees trade negotiations with other countries. USTR is part of the Executive Office of the President. It also administers Section 301 tariffs.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a notice announcing that it is modifying the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to reflect that Canada will begin collecting the additional 10% duty on exports to the U.S. of softwood lumber products from the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan for products with a shipment date of September 1, 2010 or later.
On June 30, 2010, a World Trade Organization dispute settlement panel issued its report in the long-running dispute brought by the U.S. on “European Communities and Certain Member States - Measures Affecting Trade in Large Civil Aircraft” (DS316, aka the Airbus dispute).
1. ITA, USTR Request Comments on Trade Advisory Committee System
On February 18, 2010, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano and Mexican Secretary of Public Safety Luna signed a Declaration of Principles of Cooperation on joint efforts to secure the U.S.-Mexico border and share information about transnational threats while streamlining legitimate travel and trade. (DHS press release, dated 02/18/10, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1266515652313.shtm.)
The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners gave preliminary approval tonearly $9 million in extra incentives to further boost participation in the Green Flag air quality program and toincrease the use of trains to move import and export cargo containers. The Green Flag Program, whichgives financialincentives to ship operators to slow down their vessels near the Port,will double to $6 million a year. (News release, posted 02/02/10, available at http://www.polb.com/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=666&targetid=1)
The Transportation Security Administration has issued an annual summary of all enforcement actions taken by TSA under the authority granted in the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11Commission Act of 2007. (D/N TSA-2009-0024, FR Pub 12/28/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-30623.pdf)
China's Ministry of Commerce announced pledges by the Chinese government to push forward the transformation of the nation's economic development pattern in 2010 while maintaining stable and comparatively fast economic growth. Among other things, China said it would continue to enrich current policies to enhance domestic demand, including the subsidized rural purchase programs of home appliances and autos. (Notice, dated 12/07/09, available at http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/xw/t631846.htm)
"Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions" is a regular feature of International Trade Today. The following are brief summaries of recent Capitol Hill actions.
At a meeting of the World Customs Organization Secretary General and CBP Acting Commissioner Ahern in late October, CBP officials confirmed the (full) entry into force on January 26, 2010 of the Importer Security Filing (10+2 data) requirements. The WCO Secretary General raised members' continued concerns about U.S. 100% scanning requirements by 2012, noting that the Globally Networked Customs concept could facilitate the risk management approach advocated by the WCO. (Report, posted 10/28/09, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/speeches/?v=1&lid=1&cid=2&id=176)