Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. House Agrees to Senate Amendment of Burma Bill with Amendments

2. Changing Trade Flows with China Hearing Testimony Posted

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission posted written testimonies and participant biographies for the July 16th hearing entitled "Hearing on Research and Development, Technological Advances in Key Industries, and Changing Trade Flows with China." (Testimonies, etc. available at http://www.uscc.gov/hearings/2008hearings/hr08_07_16.php.)

3. EC Proposes to Establish Strategic Partnership with Mexico

The European Commission has proposed to establish a Strategic Partnership with Mexico which represents a major upgrading in EU-Mexico relations. This Strategic Partnership should provide a strong political framework and thus enhance dialogue and coordination between the EU and Mexico on global, regional and bilateral issues. (EC press release IP/08/1141, dated 07/15/08, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1141&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en.)

4. House Subcommittee Concludes Hearing on Visa Waiver Program

On July 16, 2008, the Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism concluded a hearing entitled "Implementing the 9/11 Act Mandates for Enhancing the Visa Waiver Program'' after receiving testimony from Department of Homeland Security and State Department officials, as well as public witnesses. (Congressional Record, dated 07/16/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080716).)

5. DOE Releases Data on Energy Savings of Potential Amended Energy Standards

The Department of Energy, in response to statutory requirements, issued a notice of data availability (NODA) discussing the results of its analysis of the energy savings potential of amended energy conservation standards for certain types of commercial equipment covered by American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and the Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE)/Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) Standard 90.1. Comments, data, and information must be submitted no later than August 15, 2008. (DOE notice, D/N EERE-2008-BT-STD-0013, FR Pub 07/16/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-16256.htm.)

6. EPA Status Report on Certain New Chemicals

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a status report, covering the period of June 1, 2008 through June 20, 2008, consisting of premanufacture notices (PMNs) pending or expired, and the notices of commencement to manufacture a new chemical that the EPA has received under TSCA section 5 during this time period. (EPA notice, D/N EPA-HQ-OPPT-2008-0534, FR Pub 07./16/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-16121.htm.)

7. OFAC Provides Supplemental Info for Two Entities Blocked under Terrorism EO

The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing supplemental identification information for the names of two entities whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001, Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism. (OFAC notice, FR Pub 07/16/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-16338.htm.)

8. NAFTA Binational Panel Review Terminated

The ITA issued notice of the termination of the NAFTA Binational Panel review of the final results of the eleventh countervailing duty administrative review respecting Pure and Alloy Magnesium from Canada (Secretariat File No.: USA-CDA-2004-1904-01). (ITA notice, FR Pub 07/16/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-16186.htm.)

9. ITA Announces Aerospace Supplier Development Mission to China

The International Trade Administration announced that an Aerospace Supplier Development Mission to China will take place on October 26 - November 4, 2008. (ITA notice, FR Pub 07/16/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-15838.htm.)

10. ITA Announces Manufacturing/Technology Trade Mission to Australia

The ITA announced that the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service is organizing a Manufacturing and Technology Trade Mission to Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, November 17-21, 2008. (ITA notice, FR Pub 07/16/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-15837.htm.)

11. USTR Provides Information on WTO Hormone Hearing

The USTR posted additional information regarding the July 28-29, 2008 WTO public hearing on the U.S./Canada continued suspension of obligations in the EC - hormones dispute. WTO press release announcing that registration for this will begin on July 18th is available here. (USTR statement available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Trade_Agreements/Monitoring_Enforcement/Dispute_Settlement/WTO/View_Dispute_Settlement_Hearings/asset_upload_file826_15011.pdf.)

12. CBSA Revises Memo on Marine Cargo Import Movements

The Canada Border Services Agency posted a revised version of Memorandum D3-5-2, Marine Cargo - Import Movements. This memo has been revised to reflect current carrier and cargo policies and reporting procedures, including Advance Commercial Information (ACI) program requirements. It has also been revised to update the contact information at the CBSA. (CBSA memo D2-5-2, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d3/d3-5-2-eng.html.)

13. PLI Announces Patent Litigation Seminar

The Practising Law Institute has announced a seminar entitled "Patent Litigation 2008," which will take place in San Francisco and via live webcast September 22-23, 2008, and will also take place in several other locations in October and November. Among other things, the seminar will cover recent developments in patent law and their litigation impact. (Information and registration available at http://www.pli.edu/product/seminar_detail.asp?id=39883)