As requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the International Trade Commission (ITC) has issued a report which provides advice on the probable effect of proposed U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SFTA) rules of origin modifications for apparel articles of certain yarns and fabrics on (1) total U.S. trade (imports and exports), (2) U.S. trade under SFTA (imports and exports), and (3) U.S. domestic production.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued two separate notices announcing that (1) the U.S. has requested the establishment of a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement panel (DSP) to examine certain measures of the European Communities (EC) and of Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Spain (referred to below as the member states) affecting trade in large civil aircraft (LCA), and (2) the EC has requested the establishment of a WTO DSP to examine certain U.S. measures affecting trade in LCA.
Washington Trade Daily reports that with a possible House floor vote drawing near, both supporters and opponents of the free trade agreement between the U.S., Central America, and the Dominican Republic (CAFTA-DR) are claiming that momentum is on their side. The article states that House leaders are still not ruling out the possibility of a floor vote on CAFTA-DR before the July 4 Congressional break, even though the Administration has not yet submitted final implementing legislation. (WTD dated 06/22/05, www.washingtontradedaily.com.)
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice that modifies the 2004 - 2013 Harmonized Tariff Schedules (HTS) in order to correct errors in the staged duty rates for a small number of products that are originating goods of Chile under the U.S. - Chile Free Trade Agreement (UCFTA).
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has reported that the Trade Commissioner of the European Union (EU) has decided to recommend the launching of antidumping (AD) investigations against certain footwear originating from China. HKTDC reports that if approved, the investigations would open at the end of June 2005. Products subject to complaints by European industries include leather footwear and safety shoes, imports of which from China increased by almost 700% during the period of January - April 2005. (HKTDC Pub 06/16/05, available at http://www.tdctrade.com/sme/newsflash/smeflash050616.htm)
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a fact sheet regarding the textile provisions of the U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA, CAFTA-DR, or DR-CAFTA).
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has issued a notice requesting public comments by June 28, 2005 regarding a "commercial availability" petition it received under the U.S.-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) on behalf of B*W*A of New York City:
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice stating that, at the request of Japan, a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement panel (DSP) is reviewing the U.S.' use of "zeroing" in antidumping (AD) proceedings and certain related matters.
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has issued two notices requesting public comments by June 23, 2005 regarding two "commercial availability" petitions it received under the U.S.-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) on behalf of B*W*A of New York City:
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that a World Trade Organization (WTO) panel has sided with the U.S. in an agricultural dispute involving Mexican antidumping (AD) duties on U.S. long grain white rice. In its report, the WTO panel agreed with the U.S. that Mexican AD duties on rice and various provisions of its AD and countervailing (CV) duty laws are contrary to WTO rules. (USTR Press Release dated 06/07/05, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2005/June/United_States_Wins_WTO_Challenge_Against_Mexican_Rice_Duties.html)