Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
According to government sources, the U.S. and China will meet for a third round of talks aimed at reaching a comprehensive agreement on textiles and apparel on September 26 - 27, 2005 in Washington, D.C. Previous talks were held in San Francisco on August 16 - 17, 2005 and in Beijing on August 30 - September 1, 2005. (Industry sources have previously reported that the U.S. is pushing for quotas through December 2008, while China wants them to end a year earlier. Sources also previously reported that China is seeking agreement that the U.S. will not pursue safeguard actions on categories that are excluded from the agreement.)
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1. U.S. & China Third Round of Textile Talks on Sept 26-27 in Wash DC
2. Congress and Administration Consider Whether AGOA IV is Needed
Washington Trade Daily reports that Congress and the Administration are currently looking at whether further legislation is needed to improve the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade preferences program. According to the article, part of the focus of discussion is whether the U.S. can take any steps to help sub-Saharan Africa's textile and apparel industry. Other questions include how to help AGOA countries diversity the their exports beyond textiles and apparel and issues regarding the current implementation of AGOA. (WTD dated 09/15/05, www.washingtontradedaily.com.)
3. President Says U.S. is Prepared to Drop All Trade Barriers if Other Nations Do the Same
The Journal of Commerce Online reports that on September 14, 2005, President Bush told a United Nations (U.N.) Summit that the U.S. is prepared to drop all trade tariffs, subsidies, and other trade barriers if other nations do the same. The article also states that President Bush also called for a successful conclusion to the World Trade Organization's (WTO's) Doha round of talks on trade development. (JoC dated 09/14/05, www.joc.com.)
4. U.S., Thailand Conclude Open Skies Aviation Agreement
The Washington File reports that the U.S. and Thailand concluded an open skies aviation agreement on September 9, 2005. According to the Washington File, such agreements create a free market for aviation services, reducing government intervention and giving airlines greater control over commercial decisions. (Washington File, Pub 09/12/05, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2005&m=September&x=20050912162937ASesuarK0.7501032&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)
5. Two Indicted for Exporting Certain Radio Encryption Modules to Taiwan
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a news release announcing that two individuals have been indicted for conspiring to export and exporting radio communication encryption modules from the U.S. to Taiwan without having applied for and obtaining the required export license. (BIS News Release, dated 08/19/05, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2005/DOJ8_19_05.htm)
6. U.S. and Saudi Arabia Conclude Bilateral WTO Access Agreement
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have concluded a bilateral accession agreement with regard to Saudi Arabia's World Trade Organization (WTO) accession. The bilateral agreement provides for new market access opportunities for certain U.S. industries. The USTR notes that the U.S. was the last WTO member to formally conclude a bilateral market access agreement with Saudi Arabia. (USTR Press Release, dated 09/09/05, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Fact_Sheets/2005/asset_upload_file368_7937.pdf)
7. FMC Lists OTI Reissuances, Revocations and Applications
The FMC has issued three notices that either reissue ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licenses, revoke OTI licenses, or list those applying for OTI licenses, as follows:
| Atwimah Shipping, (NY) |
FMC notice (FR Pub (09/14/05) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-18267.pdf