Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
According to a press release issued by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), on November 13, 2006, senior U.S. trade officials met with officials from Peru and Colombia to discuss the extension of expiring trade preferences under the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) and the pending free trade agreements (FTAs). The press release states that the Deputy USTR expressed U.S. support for extending ATPA preferences to Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia in a timely fashion, so as to minimize any business disruptions. See ITT's Online Archives or 11/13/06 news, 06111305, for BP reminder that ATPA/ATPDEA expires on December 31, 2006, unless extended by legislation.)(USTR press release, dated 11/14/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/November/USTR_Expresses_Strong_Support_for_Extending_ATPA_Preferences.html.)
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1. Administration Supports Extending ATPA/ATPDEA Beyond Dec 31st
2. Aircraft Cargo Screening Test to Begin at Seattle-Tacoma Airport
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a press release announcing that it will begin testing air cargo screening technologies in fall 2006 at the Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) International Airport as part of its previously announced $30 million Air Cargo Explosives Detection Pilot Program (ACEDPP). According to DHS, ACEDPP was launched in June 2006 at the San Francisco International Airport and will provide critical knowledge to help the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) make future decisions on air cargo. (DHS press release, dated 11/08/06, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1163024837806.shtm.)
3. Vietnam Meets Omnibus Trade and Competitive Act Requirements
On November 6, 2006 President Bush issued a memorandum for the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) stating that the obligations that Vietnam will assume under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement, including Vietnam's protocol of accession, meet the requirements of certain provisions of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (Act). As a result, President Bush states that his determinations under section 1106(a) of the Act do not require invocation of the nonapplication provisions of the WTO Agreement. (BP has certain questions about this memo, and will update readers with new information when available.) (FR Pub 11/13/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-9193.pdf)
- Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Iran
On November 9, 2006 President Bush issued a notice stating that the national emergency with respect to Iran, declared on November 14, 1979 by Executive Order 12170, must continue in effect beyond November 14, 2006. As a result, President Bush is continuing for one year the national emergency with respect to Iran. (FR Pub 11/13/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-9200.pdf)
5. Foreign-Trade Zones Board Actions
The FTZB has issued the following notices of recent FTZ actions:
| FTZ 68, FR Pub 11/15/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-19302.pdf |