The International Trade Commission (ITC) has issued a notice stating that it has instituted a "market disruption" investigation of innersprings from China under section 421(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 USC 2451(b)) (Trade Act).
The Journal of Commerce Online (JoC Online) reports that on January 1, 2004, the Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka was scheduled to begin trials of an automated cargo clearance system aimed at speeding clearance of cargo, which is known as the electronic data interchange (EDI) project. According to the article, a Sri Lankan official stated that transshipment cargo at Colombo port would go paperless April 1, Sri Lanka's import cargo May 1, and exports August 1, 2004. (JoC Online, dated 12/24/03, www.joc.com)
The International Trade Commission (ITC) has issued two notices announcing that it has commenced two reviews to provide advice to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) regarding two separate petitions filed under the "commercial availability" provisions of the U.S.-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) on certain shirting fabrics. According to the ITC, it will submit its advice to USTR in a classified report by January 29, 2004, and issue a public version soon thereafter. Written comments due to the ITC by January 14, 2003. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/30/03 news, 03123025, for BP summary of the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreement's (CITA's) related notice.) (ITC notices, dated 01/05/04, available at http://www.usitc.gov/332s/shortsup/332_450_010nl.pdf and http://www.usitc.gov/332s/shortsup/332_450_011nl.pdf)
The White House has issued a press release stating that on December 30, 2003, President Bush approved the designation of the following 37 sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries as eligible for tariff preferences under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA):
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice requesting comments by noon on February 13, 2004 regarding whether any foreign countries should be identified under Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Trade Act) (19 USC 2242), which is commonly referred to as the "Special 301" provisions of the Trade Act.
On December 30, 2003, President Bush issued Proclamation 7748 in order to change the status of the Republic of Angola (Angola), State of Eritrea (Eritrea), and the Central African Republic for purposes of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), as well as to make a technical amendment to Proclamation 7616.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice inviting comments from interested parties on the International Trade Commission's (ITC's) proposed remedy, and other possible actions, with respect to the market disruption caused by imports of certain ductile iron waterworks fittings from China.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued waivers which will grant Chile and Singapore access to U.S. government procurement markets for goods and services pursuant to the free trade agreements (FTAs) each have entered into with the U.S. USTR sources explain that these waivers were granted because the U.S. has determined that Chile and Singapore will grant U.S. products and suppliers the same access. (FR Pub 12/19/03, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/pdf/03-31372.pdf (Chile) and http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/pdf/03-31371.pdf (Singapore))
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a notice stating that it has extended the comment period to February 5, 2004 (from January 5, 2004) for a notice it issued in November 2003 seeking comments to possible changes to the way it sets the Aviation Security Infrastructure Fee (ASIF). (D/N TSA-2003-16345), FR Pub 12/31/03, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/pdf/03-32196.pdf)
The International Trade Commission (ITC) has issued two notices announcing that, following receipt of requests from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), it has instituted investigations regarding the probable economic effects of the proposed U.S.-Andean Countries Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the proposed U.S.-Panama FTA.