Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Office of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release stating that it has decided to negotiate a broad textile agreement with the Chinese government, stating that in its numerous consultations with the U.S. domestic textile and apparel industries and members of Congress, there were unambiguous calls for a more comprehensive approach to textile trade with China. The press release notes that the talks will begin August 16-17 in San Francisco, the dates that U.S.-China consultations were previously scheduled on the China safeguards the U.S. imposed on May 23 and May 27. (USTR release dated 08/11/05, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2005/August/United_States_to_Negotiate_Broad_Textile_Agreement_with_China_August_16-17.html )
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1. U.S. Says it Will Negotiate a Broad Textile Agreement with China
2. FMC to Launch Redesigned Web Site on August 18, 2005
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice announcing that on August 18, 2005 at approximately 8:00 p.m. EDT, the FMC will replace its current Web site with a newly designed site. The FMC states that its new Web site will be accessible using the same URL address, www.fmc.gov, as its current site. The FMC states that if SERVCON filers/publishers require access to SERVCON during its new Web site launch period, they are encouraged to directly access SERVCON at https://servcon.fmc.gov. (FMC notice, dated 08/10/05, available at http://www.fmc.gov/Pressreleases/NR%2005-13%20New%20Website%20Announcement.htm.)
3. PHMSA Issues Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for Proposed Rule on Transportation of Lithium Batteries
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has issued its initial regulatory flexibility analysis to aid the public in commenting on the potential small business impacts of its April 2, 2002 proposed rule which would amend the requirements in the Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Regulations (HMR) on (1) exceptions for "small" and "mid-sized" batteries (i.e., cells up to 5 grams of lithium content and batteries up to 25 grams of lithium content); and (2) exceptions for aircraft passengers and crew. According to PHMSA, written comments were due by August 1, 2005. (PHMSA notice, FR Pub 06/15/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-11765.pdf.)
4. Commerce Secretary to Lead Trade Mission to Central America
The International Trade Administration (ITA) has announced that the Commerce Secretary will lead a senior-level business development trade mission to Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras on October 16-22, 2005. The overall focus of the trip will be commercial opportunities for U.S. companies, including joint ventures and export opportunities. (ITA notice, FR Pub 08/11/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/E5-4347.pdf.)
4. President Continues National Emergency Regarding Export Control Regulations
The President has issued a notice continuing for one year the national emergency declared in 2001 with respect to the unusual and extraordinary threat to national security, foreign policy, and economy of the U.S. in light of the exportation of the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended (EAA). The President states that the national emergency must continue in effect beyond August 17, 2005 because the EAA has not been renewed by Congress. (Notice, FR Pub 08/05/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-15662.pdf.)