Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. New Energy Law Includes Provisions on Short Sea Shipping for Freight

2. USTR Says Arbitrator's Award in Current WTO Online Gambling Dispute is Not Paramount

The U.S. Trade Representative has issued a statement on the current World Trade Organization dispute brought against the U.S. by Antigua and Barbuda involving online gambling. According to the USTR, the Arbitrator's recent award in the case is not paramount as the U.S. has already initiated the formal WTO process for clarifying its schedule of commitments and is engaged in compensation negotiations with Antigua and six other WTO Members that have claimed to be affected. (USTR statement, dated 12/21/07, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2007/December/Statement_on_Internet_Gambling.html)

3. President Reauthorizes Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Through 2014

The White House has issued a statement by deputy press secretary Scott Stanzel noting, among other things, that on December 26, 2007, the President signed into law H.R. 2761, the "Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization and Extension Act of 2007," which reauthorizes the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program for seven years, through December 31, 2014. (White House press statement, dated 12/26/07, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/12/20071226-2.html)

4. FSIS Revises Export Requirements for Taiwan, Barbados & Russia and Plant Lists for Russia

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has recently revised its export requirements for Taiwan, Barbados, and Russia and its plant lists for Russia (pork and poultry). (Revised export requirements and plant lists, dated 12/21/07 through 12/28/07, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/Export_Information/index.asp)

5. OIG Issues Strategic Plan for FY 2008-2012

The Federal Maritime Commission's Office of Inspector General has issued its strategic plan for fiscal years 2008-2012. In this plan, the OIG has identified its mission, developed goals to support that mission, detailed the expected performance outcomes associated with each goal, outlined strategies for achieving the goals, and set forth performance measures to determine the OIG's effectiveness in meeting its goals. (OIG plan, dated 10/01/07, available at http://www.fmc.gov/UserFiles/pages/File/OIG_Strategic_Plan_FY_08-12.pdf)

6. Deemed Export Advisory Committee Issues Report and Recommendations

The Commerce Department has issued a press release announcing that it has received the final report of the Deemed Export Advisory Committee entitled, "The Deemed Export Rule in the Era of Globalization," which states, among other things, that the existing Deemed Export Regulatory Regime no longer effectively serves its intended purpose and should be replaced with an approach that better reflects the realities of today's national security needs and global economy. (Commerce press release with report link, dated 12/20/07, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_004964)

7. FMC Lists OTI Revocations

The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a notice announcing that it is revoking the following Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) license:

FMC notice (FR Pub 12/19/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-24595.pdf

8. FMC Lists OTI Applications

The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a notice listing those applying for Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) licenses as a Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC), Ocean Freight Forwarder (FF), or NVOCC/FF as follows:

FMC notice (FR Pub 12/19/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-24596.pdf