On November 10, 2004, the European Communities (EC) requested authorization from the World Trade Organization's (WTO's) Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) to retaliate against the U.S. regarding the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act (CDSOA, also referred to as the Byrd Amendment) by imposing additional import duties on U.S.-origin products to be drawn from a list of 8-digit EC Combined Nomenclature (CN) codes.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice requesting comments by noon on December 17, 2004 for its annual review of the operation and effectiveness of all U.S. trade agreements regarding U.S. telecommunications products and services that are in force with respect to the U.S. The USTR states that it will conclude its review by March 31, 2005.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice requesting comments on behalf of the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) to assist in identifying significant barriers to U.S. exports of goods, services and overseas direct investment for inclusion in the National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers (NTE). The USTR states that the Department of Commerce will receive comments in response to this notice and that no submissions will be accepted after December 21, 2004.
ShippersNewsWire reports that, among other things, the second draft of revised C-TPAT security standards for importers moves away from characterizing the measures as 'minimum standards' and instead says importers should apply various prescriptions based on an 'assessment of their risk.' The articles adds that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has circulated the draft among customs compliance managers at 16 major corporations, and is asking for comments by December 3, 2004. (ShippersNewsWire@americanshipper.com, dated 11/23/04)
In a letter to the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) outlines the Bush Administration's plans for moving forward, if necessary, with a Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) that includes the U.S. and five Central American countries, but not the Dominican Republic.
The Journal of Commerce Online reports that in early 2005, marine terminal operators in Los Angeles-Long Beach will implement the industry's first day-use fee at a 50% discount in order to encourage greater use of nighttime and weekend gates. Under the PierPass program, shippers who deliver or pick up their containers between 3 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday-Friday, will pay a fee of $20 per TEU. (JoC Online, dated 11/19/04, www.joc.com)
In a recent speech before the Propeller Club of Washington, D.C., Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Steven Blust commented on a number of maritime issues, including the recent Supreme Court decision, Norfolk Southern v. Kirby, which reaffirmed the statutory distinction between forwarders and non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs).
On November 19, 2004, the Senate passed the conference version of H.R. 1047, the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that on November 17, 2004, the U.S. and Australia exchanged diplomatic notes certifying that each country has completed its internal requirements to allow the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to enter into force on January 1, 2005.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing the Bush Administration's intent to negotiate free trade agreements (FTAs) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman. Major exports to these countries include machinery, aircraft, vehicles, and electrical machinery, while major imports include mineral fuel and woven apparel. (USTR Press Release, dated 11/15/04, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2004/November/U.S._Announces_Intent_to_Negotiate_FTAs_with_UAE_Oman.html)