The National Institute of Standards and Technology posts drafts and changes to foreign technical regulations for manufactured products which may be considered technical barriers to trade and are therefore required to be reported to the World Trade Organization, which distributes the information to WTO Member countries.
The World Customs Organization states that Cuba, Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka have deposited their instruments of accession to the revised Kyoto Convention on the simplification and harmonization of Customs procedures with the WCO during the Annual Sessions of the WCO Council. (Press Release, dated 06/26/09, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/press/?v=1&lid=1&cid=6&id=185)
On June 24, 2009, Representative Michaud and 105 cosponsors introduced H.R. 3012, the Trade Reform, Accountability, Development and Employment (TRADE) Act. This bill would mandate trade pact reviews, establish standards, protect workers, and help restore congressional oversight of future trade agreements.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano released her remarks at a "pen and pad" session with DHS reporters regarding five major DHS missions - counterterrorism, securing the borders, enforcing smart and effective immigration policies, preparing for, responding to, recovering from disasters; and then building one Department of Homeland Security out of the 22 agencies that were originally put into DHS. (Remarks, dated 06/25/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/speeches/sp_1245965901250.shtm.)
On June 8, 2009, China's Ministry of Health published a draft regulation to implement the risk assessment aspects of China's new Food Safety Law (FSL), which was scheduled to go into effect June 1, 2009. The goal of the regulation is to standardize food safety risk assessments.
The Census Bureau has issued an Automated Export System broadcast announcing that it has developed AESDirect and AESPcLink Sample Shipment Guides which provide screenshots of the entire filing process in each respective application, along with important information and helpful tips that appear among Census' most frequently asked questions. (Notice, available at http://www.aesdirect.gov/support/userguide.htmlsample_shipments)
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has announced that the U.S. has requested World Trade Organization dispute settlement consultations with China regarding its export restraints on numerous important raw materials.
China's Ministry of Commerce reports that China will abolish export duties on some grains and industrial products and cut the export duties for chemical fertilizers and nonferrous metals from July 1 to promote exports. (Notice, dated 06/23/09, available at http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/newsrelease/commonnews/200906/20090606352494.html)
"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.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology posts drafts and changes to foreign technical regulations for manufactured products which may be considered technical barriers to trade and are therefore required to be reported to the World Trade Organization, which distributes the information to WTO Member countries.