Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Shiptalk.com reports that on June 28, 2007, members of Congress signed and sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff urging attention to national defense and economic security in the offshore marine sector of the U.S. Among other things, the letter addresses the current rulemaking process by the Coast Guard to require foreign vessels operating on the Outer Continental Shelf to provide security-related information similar to the information they are required to report when they call on a U.S. port. (Shiptalk.com, 07/10/07, available at http://www.shiptalk.com/index.asp?ItemID=2268&rcid=195&pcid=178&cid=195'anch)
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1. Congress Sends Letter to DHS Secretary Regarding U.S. Offshore Marine Sector
2. USTR Requests WTO Panel on China's "Trade Distorting" Subsidies
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a press release announcing that on July 12, 2007, it requested the World Trade Organization to establish a dispute settlement panel regarding China's "apparent use of trade-distorting subsidies" that China pledged to eliminate upon joining the WTO. The U.S. request challenges several subsidy programs which USTR believes are prohibited by WTO rules, including subsidies conditioned on a firm's use of domestic over imported products and subsidies conditioned on exports. USTR reports that Mexico plans to join the U.S. and file its own request for a WTO panel. (USTR press release, dated 07/12/07, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2007/July/United_States_Requests_WTO_Panel_in_Challenge_to_China's_Prohibited_Subsidies.html)
3. China Bans Diethylene Glycol from Use in Toothpaste
MSNBC and the Associated Press report that in an effort to regain international confidence in its exports, China has banned from use in toothpaste the thickening agent used in antifreeze, diethylene glycol. Chinese-made toothpaste containing this toxic and potentially deadly, low-cost substitute for the sweetener, glycerin, was pulled from sale in North and South America, Europe and Asia in recent weeks. The announcement is the latest in a string of moves by China to clarify regulations, tighten enforcement and clean up corruption as it fights to prove it is not a danger to the global supply chain. (MSNBC, 07/11/07, available at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19711847/)
4. AMS Determines To Continue Soybean Research and Promotion Order Without Change
The Agricultural Marketing System has issued a notice summarizing the results of its review of the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Program. Based upon its review, AMS has determined that the Soybean Research and Promotion Order should be continued without change. (D/N AMS-LS-07-0084; LS-05-07, FR Pub 07/12/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-13548.pdf)
5. BIS Solicits Speakers for Deemed Export Advisory Committee Meeting
The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a notice soliciting speakers for its Deemed Export Advisory Committee meeting on July 30, 2007 in Chicago, IL (with exact details to be announced in a subsequent notice). BIS solicits stakeholders from industry, academia, and other backgrounds to address the DEAC on their organizations' perspectives and concerns related to U.S. deemed export control policies. (FR Pub 07/11/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-3347.pdf)
6. OFAC Publishes Enforcement Information for July 6, 2007
The OFAC has issued a notice announcing the following enforcement information for July 6, 2007:
| Entity/Individual | Penalty | Action/Violation/Alleged Violation |
|---|---|---|
| LogicaCMG Inc. | $220,000 | Procurement, assembly, and export of a computer system, as well as provision of technical support after export, with knowledge that the goods and services were ultimately destined for Cuba and that such exports to Cuba were prohibited, without an OFAC license |
| Gibson Overseas, Inc. | $1,357 | Use of an Iranian vessel to ship goods from China to Dubai in violation of 31 CFR 560.206, which prohibits transactions or dealings in goods or services of Iranian origin |
| American Bankers Life Assurance Company of Florida | $1,271 | Process of premium payments on insurance policies on the lives of two persons who have been named as Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers |
| Stoller Fisheries | $931 | Export of 20 grams of whole carp pituitary glands to an entity located in Tehran, Iran |
| Individual | $10,000 | Travel-related transactions for travel to and from Cuba through a third country |
| Individual | $2,893 | Purchasing Cuban-origin cigars, in which Cuba or a Cuban national had an interest |
| Individual | $200 | Purchasing Cuban-origin cigars, in which Cuba or a Cuban national had an interest |
(OFAC notice available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/civpen/penalties/07112007.pdf)