Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Journal of Commerce reports that U.S. delegates to the United Nations (U.N.) Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), as well as the U.S. government, were disappointed with the slow pace of progress at UNCITRAL's May 2004 meeting on the development of a new international convention for ocean cargo liability. According to the article, while the World Shipping Council and the National Industrial Transportation (NIT) League will continue to support the U.N. process, they had expected to have a finished U.N. convention available for ratification by the end of 2004. The article notes that without tangible progress, the private sector may seek alternatives to the U.N. process. (JoC dated 05/31/04-06/06/04, www.joc.com.)
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Timely, relevant coverage of court proceedings and agency rulings involving tariffs, classification, valuation, origin and antidumping and countervailing duties. Each day, Trade Law Daily subscribers receive a daily headline email, in-depth PDF edition and access to all relevant documents via our trade law source document library and website.
1. U.S. Delegates Express Disappointment at Slow Progress of UNCITRAL's Work on a New International Convention for Ocean Cargo Liability
2. WTO Secretariat Reports Significant Decline in New AD Investigations
The World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat has issued a press release reporting that in the period July 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003, 14 members initiated 115 antidumping (AD) investigations against exports from a total of 30 different countries or customs territories. According to the press release, this represents a significant decline from the corresponding period of 2002, during which 18 WTO members had initiated 161 AD investigations. (WTO Press Release 374, dated 04/20/04, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres04_e/pr374_e.htm)
3. TSA Begins Phase II of Rail Security Experiment at Union Station
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a press release stating that Amtrak passengers boarding long-distance trains at Washington, DC's Union Station will have their checked luggage screened for explosives from June 7-30, 2004 as part of the second stage of a pilot program exploring new measures for rail security. According to the TSA, the goal of the Transit and Rail Inspection Pilot (TRIP) Phase II is to evaluate the use of emerging technologies in a rail environment to screen checked and unclaimed baggage, as well as temporarily stored personal items and cargo for explosives. (TSA Press Release dated 06/07/04, available at http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=44&content=09000519800abf1d)
4. Presidential Determination Designates Morocco a Major Non-NATO Ally
The Washington File reports that the President has issued a determination designating the Kingdom of Morocco a Major Non-NATO Ally of the U.S. for purposes of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act. (Washington File Pub 06/04/04, Presidential Determination No. 2004-35, dated 06/03/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=June&x=20040604164900ESnamfuaK3.718203e-02&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)
5. New ICH Guidance Available on the Evaluation of Stability Data
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the availability of a guidance entitled "Q1E Evaluation of Stability Data," which was prepared under the auspices of the International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH), and is a supplement to "Q1A(R2) Stability Testing of New Drug Substances and Products." (D/N 2002D-0237, FR Pub 06/08/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-12889.pdf)