Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Mexico's Maquiladoras Reinvent Themselves into High-Tech Manufacturers

2. EC Issues Annual Report on Trade and Investment Barriers in the U.S.

On March 1, 2006, the European Commission (EC) released its annual report on barriers to trade and investment in the U.S., detailing the obstacles that European Union (EU) exporters and investors face in the U.S. market. The report highlights non-tariff barriers in investment and public procurement and addresses some long-running World Trade Organization (WTO) problems such as issues concerning foreign sales corporations (FSCs) and the repeal of the Byrd Amendment. (EC press release No. 19/06, dated 03/01/06, available at http://www.eurunion.org/News/press/2006/20060019.htm.)

3. USA-ITA Clarification Regarding Problems Created by CAFTA-DR Staggered Implementation

The U.S. Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (USA-ITA) has issued a March 8, 2006 Textile Development Memo which, among other things, clarifies a statement in its prior March 3, 2006 TDM. The clarification states that the March 3 TDM incorrectly indicated that CBTPA products could not incorporate El Salvador inputs and continue to qualify for CBTPA benefits. USA-ITA now states that the DR-CAFTA implementing law expressly provides that inputs from former CBTPA countries (i.e., DR-CAFTA countries) are allowed to be used in a current CBTPA country's products. (See ITT's Online Archives or 03/07/06 news, 06030799 2 for BP summary of March 3 TDM. See ITT's Online Archives or 03/08/06 news, 06030805 for link to CBP guidelines which includes this and other related information.) (USA-ITA TDM, dated 03/08/06, www.usaita.com)

4. U.S. and Ukraine Sign Agreement on Market Access

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. and Ukraine have signed an agreement on market issues as part of Ukraine's World Trade Organization (WTO) accession negotiations. Among other things, the USTR mentions that the agreement will eliminate tariffs on computers, semiconductors, and other information technology products, by January 1, 2010, with most tariffs eliminated upon Ukraine's accession to the WTO. (USTR Press Release, dated 03/06/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/March/United_States_Ukraine_Sign_Bilateral_WTO_Accession_Agreement_on_Market_Access.html, USTR Fact Sheet, dated 03/06/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Fact_Sheets/2006/asset_upload_file450_9105.pdf.)

5. Malaysia Resumes Import of U.S. Beef

The Washington File reports that the USTR is welcoming the government of Malaysia's decision to reopen its market to imports of U.S. boneless beef and beef products from cattle less than 30 months of age. According to the article, Malaysia has prohibited imports of U.S. beef and beef products since December 2003, following the detection of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)-also referred to as mad cow disease-in a cow in Washington state. (Washington File Pub 03/07/06, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=March&x=20060307124611ASesuarK0.5721094&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html.)

6. U.S. Wins Mexico Beverage Tax Dispute

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that the WTO Appellate Body has found in favor of the U.S. in its challenge of Mexico's discriminatory beverage tax. The USTR states that under the Mexican beverage tax, soft drinks with imported sweeteners are subject to a 20% tax on their sale and distribution while beverages made with Mexican cane sugar are tax-exempt. (USTR Press Release, dated 03/06/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/March/US_Wins_Mexico_Beverage_Tax_Dispute.html.)

7. FSIS to Hold Open Meeting on Upcoming Codex Session on Food Labeling

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a notice announcing an April 7, 2006 public meeting in College Park, MD in order to provide draft U.S. positions and received comments on agenda items that will be discussed at the 34th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which is scheduled to be held on May 1-5, 2006 in Ottawa, Canada. (D/N FSIS-2006-0003, FR Pub 03/01/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-2830.pdf)

8. State Department Defense Trade Advisory Group to Hold Open Meeting

The State Department has issued a notice announcing that its Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG) will hold an open meeting on April 21, 2006 in Washington, DC. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss current defense trade issues and topics for further study. (Public Notice 5321, FR Pub 03/01/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-2883.pdf)

9. 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:

FMC notice (FR Pub (12/29/05) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/E5-8009.pdf.