Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. LA Harbor Commissioners to Vote on Clean Truck Program March 20th

2. SFI Will Provide Tactical Data on 100% Scanning, Not Info on Cost, Etc.

American Shipper reports that according to homeland security expert James Carafano of the Heritage Foundation, the information to be learned from the Secure Freight Initiative's 100% scanning test projects are very tactical in nature (e.g. data on command-and-control capabilities, container flows, equipment operating ratios, etc.) and are not expected to provide much information about the scalability, cost, potential of cargo diversion and actual vulnerability reductions associated with an inspection regime that covers the entire universe of imported containers and hundreds of foreign ports. (American Shipper, dated 02/28/08, available at http://www.americanshipper.com/fc/FLC_story_P.asp?news=86363)

3. Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan Plan to Create Customs Union by 2010

Interfax reports that Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan have prepared a plan of action to create a customs union by the end of 2010. (Interfax, dated 03/14/08, available at http://www.interfax.com/3/374630/news.aspx)

4. President to Send Colombia FTA to Congress for Vote after March Recess

Reuters reports that according to U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab, President Bush will send the free trade agreement with Colombia to Congress for a vote shortly after the March recess. (Reuters, dated 03/12/08, available at http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSWAT00911620080312)

5. Mexico, China Meet to Discuss Certain AD Duties on Chinese Imports

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council reports that trade officials from Mexico and China met in Beijing at the end of January 2008 to discuss the antidumping duties that Mexico currently applies against a range of Chinese products. The duties, which did not need to be WTO-compliant, were allowed to be maintained for a period of six years following China's accession to the World Trade Organization, or until December 11, 2007. (Hong Kong TDC, dated 02/28/08, available at http://marketinfo.tdctrade.com/content.aspx?data=international_content_en&src=IN_LawReg&contentid=1011431&w_sid=194&w_pid=691&w_nid=10236&w_cid=1011431&w_idt=1900-01-01&w_oid=167&w_jid)

6. State Approves 8 FDA Staff Positions at U.S. Diplomatic Posts in China

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a press release announcing it has received approval from the State Department to establish eight full time permanent FDA positions at U.S. diplomatic posts in China, pending authorization from the Chinese government. In addition, the FDA will be hiring a total of five local Chinese nationals to work with the new FDA staff at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and the U.S. Consulates General in Shanghai and Guangzhou. (FDA press release, dated 03/14/08, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01806.html)

7. CBP Adds Lithuania to List of Nations Exempt from Special Tonnage Taxes, Etc.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a final rule, effective March 10, 2008, amending 19 CFR Part 4 to add Lithuania to the list of nations whose vessels are exempt from special tonnage taxes and from the payment of light money in ports of the U.S., as no discriminating or countervailing duties are imposed by the government of Lithuania on vessels owned by citizens of the U.S. The exemption from special tonnage taxes and light money for vessels registered in Lithuania became applicable on February 13, 2002. (CBP final rule, CBP Dec. 08-02, FR Pub 03/10/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-4641.pdf)

8. OFAC Unblocks an Individual under Narcotics Trafficking EO

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a notice publishing the name of an individual whose property and interests in property have been unblocked pursuant to Executive Order 12978 of October 21, 1995, "Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions With Significant Narcotics Traffickers." (OFAC notice, FR Pub 03/10/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-4610.pdf)

9. OFAC Unblocks an Entity under Western Balkans EO

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a notice publishing the name of an entity whose property and interests in property have been unblocked pursuant to Executive Order 13219 of June 26, 2001, "Blocking Property of Persons Who Threaten International Stabilization Efforts in the Western Balkans," as amended by Executive Order 13304 of May 28, 2003, "Termination of Emergencies With Respect to Yugoslavia and Modification of Executive Order 13219 of June 26, 2001." (OFAC notice, FR Pub 03/10/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-4617.pdf)

10. ITA Organizing Trade Mission to Vietnam to Help U.S. Export Business

The International Trade Administration has issued a notice announcing that it is organizing a Trade Mission to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, June 16-20, 2008. The mission will focus on helping U.S. companies launch or increase their export business in the Vietnamese market. (ITA notice, FR Pub 03/11/08, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-4798.pdf

11. ICE Says Alleged Distributor of Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals Extradited

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued a press release announcing that Randy Gonzales, a citizen of the Philippines, was extradited to the U.S. from Thailand, for conspiring to import and distribute counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs into the U.S. (ICE press release, dated 03/05/08, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/080305houston.htm)

12. OMB Transmits E-Gov Act Report to Congress

The Office of Management and Budget has issued a press release announcing that it has transmitted to Congress its annual E-Government Report on the government-wide progress of implementation of the E-Government Act of 2002. This year's report includes updates of how information technology is being utilized to improve agency disclosure of information, coordinate the use of technology to enhance crisis management, etc. (OMB press release, dated 03/01/08, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/pubpress/2008/030108_egov.html)

13. FDA Permanent Injunction against Food Companies, Executives

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a press release announcing that Brownwood Acres Foods Inc., Cherry Capital Services Inc. (dba Flavonoid Sciences) and two of their top executives have signed a consent decree that effectively prohibits the companies and their executives from manufacturing and distributing any products with claims in the label or labeling to cure, treat, mitigate or prevent diseases. (FDA press release, dated 02/22/08, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01800.html)

14. DOE Announces More Stringent Criteria for ENERGY STAR Washers, Etc.

The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a press release announcing more stringent criteria for clothes washers and expanded the categories of compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFL) under the ENERGY STAR label. More stringent criteria, combined with a greater diversity of energy-saving product options, will allow Americans to more efficiently use energy in their homes, and aims to further the President's Advanced Energy Initiative. (DOE press release, dated 03/07/08, available at http://www.energy.gov/news/6055.htm)

15. China Pushing for More Foreign Banks to be Locally Incorporated

The Chinese Government's Official Web Portal reports that the China Banking Regulatory Commission said it would continue to push for the local incorporation of foreign banks. The CBRC also urged locally incorporated foreign banks to build a so-called Chinese Wall separating themselves from parent banks and remaining Chinese branches. (GOV.cn, available at http://english.gov.cn/2008-03/06/content_911960.htm)

16. Census Data Show Trade Deficit Increased in January 2008

The Census Bureau has issued a press release regarding foreign trade data for January 2008, which showed the U.S.' international deficit in goods and services increased. In addition, U.S. Trade Representative has issued a press release with a statement from Susan Schwab on the monthly trade deficit numbers. (Census press release, dated 03/11/08, available at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/Press-Release/current_press_release/ft900.pdf and USTR press release, dated 03/11/08, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2008/March/asset_upload_file957_14588.pdf)

17. Senate Finance Committee Member Seeks Feedback on Drug Safety

Senate Finance Committee has issued a press release stating that Ranking Member Chuck Grassley has asked the federal agencies charged with drug safety to weigh in on the use of registration fees as a way to help pay for more inspections of foreign pharmaceutical drug manufacturers and also limit the number of facilities that need to be inspected to those that actually ship medicine and drug components to the U.S. (Senate Finance Committee press release, dated 03/11/08, available at http://finance.senate.gov/press/Gpress/2008/prg031108.pdf)

18. Tanzania Becomes 133rd Contracting Party to HS Convention

The World Customs Organization has issued a press release announcing that the United Republic of Tanzania deposited with the WCO its instrument of ratification to the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (Harmonized System). This makes the Republic of Tanzania as the 133rd Contracting Party to the Harmonized System Convention. (WCO press release, dated 03/04/08, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/press/?v=1&lid=1&cid=5)

19. GAO Testimony on the Secure Border Initiative

The Government Accountability Office has released its testimony entitled, "Secure Border Initiative: Observations on the Importance of Applying Lessons Learned to Future Projects." GAO was asked to monitor the Department of Homeland Security's progress in implementing the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's SBI program. GAO provided observations on technology implementation, the extent to which Border Patrol agents have been trained and are using SBI technology, infrastructure implementation, etc. (GAO-08-508T, dated 02/27/08, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08508t.pdf)

20. GAO Testimony on TSA's Aviation Security Programs

The Government Accountability Office has released its testimony entitled, "Aviation Security: Transportation Security Administration Has Strengthened Planning to Guide Investments in Key Aviation Security Programs, but More Work Remains." In addition to past recommendations, GAO has made new recommendations to the Department of Homeland Security to incorporate best practices in the Secure Flight Program cost and schedule estimates; fully implement the program's risk management, testing, and information security requirements; and consider additional performance measures to evaluate redress processes. (GAO-08-456T, dated 02/28/08, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08456t.pdf)