The ITC has posted to its Web site a list of corrections to the printed and electronic versions of the 2004 Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. (HTS) in order to correct known errors discovered after the issuance of the January 1, 2004 HTS.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the European Union and Russia have reached agreement on the terms for Russia's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO). The article notes that Russia must still conclude agreements with any WTO members that demand them, and has to negotiate deals with other big trading partners such as China and Japan. In addition, the article reports that the U.S. has said that it is still a long way from reaching a WTO accession deal with Russia. (WSJ dated 05/24/04, www.wsj.com)
Washington Trade Daily reports that the outlook for Congressional consideration of the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has improved as the Speaker of the House of Representatives has indicated that he will no longer stand in the way of the FTA. According to the article, the House is expected to consider U.S.-Australia FTA implementing legislation sometime in summer 2004. (See ITT's Online Archives or 05/20/04 news, 04052005, for BP summary on the signing of the U.S.-Australia FTA.) (WTD dated 05/19/04, www.washingtontradedaily.com .)
The State Department has issued a public notice which announces that pursuant to Section 40A of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and Executive Order 11958, it has determined and certified to Congress that Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Libya are not cooperating fully with U.S. antiterrorism efforts.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that on May 18, 2004, the U.S. and Australia signed the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice announcing that it has determined not to initiate an investigation regarding a Section 301 petition filed by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) which addressed workers' rights in China.
The Journal of Commerce Online (JoC Online) reports that Hong Kong will insist on full electronic submission of air and rail cargo manifests by mid-July 2004. According to the report, there will be a further grace period for submission of ocean and river cargo manifests. JoC Online explains that Hong Kong introduced e-filing for air, rail, river, and ocean transport in April 2003, with a grace period to be determined by progress in the changeover. (JoC Online Pub 05/17/04, www.joc.com)
The Journal of Commerce (JoC) reports that the Clinton-era Marine Transportation Policy (MTS) has become the springboard the still developing SEA-21, a Department of Transportation initiative that could address intercoastal shipping, inland waterways, congestion, security, and the U.S.' capacity to handle rapidly growing volumes of containerized imports. JoC reports that at this time, federal officials are not disclosing many details of SEA-21. (JoC Pub 04/05-11/04, www.joc.com)
The Journal of Commerce reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has agreed in principal to accept the traditional definition of "shipper" on bills of lading as the party that tenders cargo to a carrier. The article also states that CBP will launch a voluntary program to encourage importers to file entry data (which includes more information on foreign suppliers) within 24 hours of a shipment's arrival. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/24/04 news, 04022405, for BP summary of related CBP notice.)(JoC Online dated 05/14/04, www.joc.com.)
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a determination that suppliers from the 10 new European Community (EC) member states are eligible to participate in U.S. government procurement under the same terms and conditions as suppliers from countries that were already covered by the World Trade Organization's (WTO's) Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).