Reform of satellite export controls has been beneficial for the satellite industry, said industry and government officials at an Federal Communications Bar Association event April 2. Moving satellite export controls from the State Department's International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to the Bureau of Industry and Security's Commerce Control List (see 14051224) has resulted in more license exceptions available for satellite exports and fewer license applications filed, said Assistant Secretary of Commerce-Export Administration Kevin Wolf. The new rules create more of an incentive for satellite providers to use U.S.-made materials, instead of avoiding ITAR regulation, said industry executives.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative released in recent days its annual National Trade Estimate, a review of U.S. trade ties and barriers on a country-by-country basis. The U.S. is continuing efforts to combat trade barriers, such as arbitrary testing, labeling and certifications, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and high, trade-inhibiting tariffs, said USTR in the NTE (here). The review also placed particular emphasis on corruption as a trade barrier, saying bribery and other forms of corruption impacts customs and licensing and has the potential to “negate market access gained through trade negotiations.”
The Commerce Department issued a Federal Register notice detailing its negative preliminary determination in the countervailing duty investigation on welded line pipe from South Korea (C-580-877) (here). Commerce calculated de minimis CV duty rates for all South Korean exporters under investigation, and will not suspend liquidation or collect cash deposits for entries of welded line pipe from South Korea at this time. Commerce may still change its mind in the final determination, which is currently due July 28.
The text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership remains shielded behind closed doors, but U.S. compliance professionals are preparing for the sharp rise in trade flows and increased filing hurdles that are expected to accompany future implementation of the pact, several brokers and compliance consultants said in recent days. TPP chief negotiators are meeting in Hawaii this week, and speculation is rising over a conclusion to the deal. U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman recently predicted a wrap-up of the talks at some point in 2015 (see 1502050058), but the U.S. has failed to meet deadlines set in the past by Froman and other TPP officials.
The Commerce Department issued the final results of its countervailing duty administrative review on pasta from Italy (C-475-819) (here). Rates from this review will be used to set assessments on importers for entries in 2012.
MIAMI -- There's strong support of congressional efforts to enact a de minimis raise from $200 to $800 for commercial imports, but the express industry is more focused on ensuring Customs Reauthorization passes into law this Congress, said DHL Head of International Affairs Eugene Laney at the International Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Council for International Business on Feb. 24. The House and Senate both recently introduced that bipartisan legislation (see 1502170017).
MIAMI -- The World Trade Organization is wading through a new stage in the Trade Facilitation Agreement process, as the focus shifts now from Geneva to global capitals where WTO members need to tackle TFA ratification, said WTO Deputy Director General Yi Xiaozhun at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Council of International Business symposium Feb. 23. The private sector still must apply pressure on WTO members to help deliver ratification from two-thirds of WTO members in order to set implementation in motion, said Xiaozhun.
The Express Association of America applauded recently introduced legislation to raise the de minimis level for U.S. commercial imports to $800, in a Feb. 13 press release. Sens. John Thune, R-S.D., and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced the Low Value Shipment Regulatory Modernization Act, S-489, on Feb. 12 (see 1502120074). Reps. Aaron Schock, R-Ill., and Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., led the bill’s introduction in the House as well.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for Feb. 9-13 in case they were missed.
Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and John Thune, R-S.D., introduced a bill on Feb. 12 to raise the duty-free de minimis level for U.S. imports from $200 to $800. The de minimis level is the threshold that goods are able to enter the U.S. duty-free. Both lawmakers tried but failed to advance the Low Value Shipment Regulatory Modernization Act in the last Congress (see 13030805).