Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Senators Question if FDA Knowingly Allowed Potentially Unsafe, Ineffective Drugs into U.S.

2. Senate Appropriations Orders 2009 USDA, FDA Appropriations Bill Reported

On July 17, 2008, the Senate Appropriations Committee ordered favorably reported a bill making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009. (Congressional Record, dated 07/17/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080717)

3. Senate Banking Committee Orders Iran Sanctions Bill Reported

On July 17, 2008, the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee ordered favorably reported "The Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act of 2008." Senator Dodd's press release on this bipartisan bill being reported available here. (Congressional Record, dated 07/17/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080717)

4. House Hearing on Aiding American Businesses Abroad Concluded

On July 17, 2008, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade concluded its hearing on "Aiding American Businesses Abroad: Government Action to Help Beleaguered American Firms and Investors" after hearing testimony from International Trade Administration and public witnesses. (Congressional Record, dated 07/17/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080717)

5. Homeland Security Committee Concludes Hearing on Border Security

On July 17, 2008, the House Homeland Security concluded its hearing on "The Challenge of Aligning Programs, Personnel, and Resources to Achieve Border Security" after hearing testimony from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff. (Congressional Record, dated 07/17/08, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r110:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20080717)

6. ITA Manufacturing Council to Meet July 23, 2008

The International Trade Administration's Manufacturing Council will hold a meeting on July 23, 2008 in Washington, DC to discuss the Sustainable Manufacturing Initiative and the Manufacturing 2040 project. (ITA notice, FR Pub 07/17/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-16284.pdf)

7. FTC Proposes to Rescind Cigarette Guidance

The Federal Trade Commission is proposing to rescind its guidance that it is generally not a violation of the FTC Act to make factual statements of the tar and nicotine yields of cigarettes when statements of such yields are supported by testing conducted pursuant to the Cambridge Filter Method, also frequently referred to as "the FTC Test Method." Comments must be submitted on or before August 12, 2008. (FTC notice, FR Pub 07/14/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-16006.pdf)

8. OFAC Designates Four Entities, Four Individuals under WMD EO

The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the names of four newly-designated entities and four newly-designated individuals whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Executive Order 13382 of June 28, 2005, Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters. (OFAC notice, FR Pub 07/14/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-15918.pdf)

9. OFAC Unblocks Individual under Iraq EO

OFAC is publishing the name of an individual whose property and interests in property have been unblocked pursuant to Executive Order 13315 of August 28, 2003, Blocking Property of the Former Iraqi Regime, Its Senior Officials and Their Family Members, and Taking Certain Other Actions, as amended by Executive Order 13350 of July 29, 2004, Termination of Emergency Declared in Executive Order12722 With Respect to Iraq and Modification of Executive Order 13290, Executive Order 13303, and Executive Order 13315. (OFAC notice, FR Pub 07/14/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-15942.pdf)

10. Trade Deficit Decreases in May 2008

According to the Census Bureau, the U.S.' international deficit in goods and services decreased to $59.8 billion in May from $60.5 billion (revised) in April, as exports increased more than imports. U.S. Trade Representative Schwab also made a statement on the monthly trade statistics. (Census Bureau release, released 07/11/08, available at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/Press-Release/current_press_release/press.html and USTR press release, dated 07/11/08, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2008/July/asset_upload_file518_15007.pdf)

11. WTO to Hold Public Hearing in U.S.-EC Hormone Dispute Appeal

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced that the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization has decided, in response to requests from the U.S., Canada and the European Communities, to hold its first-ever public hearing in an appeal. This will occur for the oral hearing in the dispute U.S. - Continued Suspension of Obligations in the EC - Hormones Dispute (WT/DS320) that is scheduled for July 28-29, 2008. (USTR notice available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Trade_Agreements/Monitoring_Enforcement/Dispute_Settlement/WTO/View_Dispute_Settlement_Hearings/asset_upload_file716_15006.pdf)

12. Updated Salmonellosis Outbreak Q&As

The Food and Drug Administration has posted updated questions and answers for consumers and industry regarding the Salmonellosis outbreak. The Q&As include information on states and countries that have been ruled out as the source of tomatoes implicated in this outbreak. (FDA Q&A, updated 07/17/08, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/tomatqa.htmlruledout)

13. Millennium Challenge Corp, Burkina Faso Sign Challenge Compact

The State Department reports that the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the Government of Burkina Faso are to sign a $480.9 Million Millennium Challenge Compact on July 14, 2008. (State Department press release, dated 07/11/08, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2008/07/106956.htm)

14. FAS Posts Market and Trade Data Reports

The Foreign Agricultural Service has posted the following Market and Trade Data Feature Reports (each report is a hyperlink):

Iran Wheat: Drought Reduces Crop

2008/09 Foreign Wheat Exports Gains Offset U.S. Declines

World Vegetable Meal Consumption Growth Slows As Feed Quality Wheat Use in the EU Rebounds

Cotton: U.S. and India Dominate an Expanding Chinese Market

15. JIG Forms New Transportation Committee

The Joint Industry Group issued a notice announcing that it has formed a new committee: the Transportation Committee. The committee was scheduled to hold an introductory conference call on July 18th for those interested in participating. (JIG transportation notice available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)

16. WCO E-Learning Modules for Int'l Trade Operators

The World Customs Organization is offering e-learning modules for international trade operators. Courses and evaluations include Amendments to the HS 2007, ATA carnets, customs valuation, inspection of containers, SAFE Framework of Standards and the concept of AEO, etc. (WCO learning modules information available at http://www.premierairtime.com/pdf/Pricelist%202008%20for%20Web%20-%20V2.0.pdf)

17. China, Mexico Establish Strategic Dialogue Mechanism

The Embassy of China in the U.S. reports that China and Mexico announced the establishment of a strategic dialogue mechanism during talks between Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Mexican counterpart Felipe Calderon. (Embassy of China press release, dated 07/11/08, available at http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/xw/t455870.htm)

18. WTO Trade Policy Review of Singapore

According to the WTO's trade policy review of Singapore, Singapore's economy, in terms of international trade and foreign investment, remains one of the most open and competitive in the world with an annual average real GDP growth of 7.9% for the last four years. (WTO press release, dated 07/16/08, available at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp302_e.htm)

19. WTO Chair Outlines Future Work in Rules Negotiations

The Chairman of the Negotiating Group on Rules recently sent a fax to all participants outlining his views as to how the Rules negotiations could proceed in the period after the establishment of modalities in agriculture and NAMA. (WTO press release, dated 07/14/08, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news08_e/rules_14july08_e.htm)

20. EC Holds More Negotiations for EU-Central America Assn Agreement

The European Commission, negotiating on behalf of the European Union, and Central America will meet in Brussels from July 14-18, 2008 for a fourth round of negotiations in view of an Association Agreement between the two regions. The objective is to conclude a comprehensive Agreement during 2009, which will enhance the political dialogue between both regions, intensify the cooperation in a vast variety of areas and create a free area between the EU and Central America. (EC press release, dated 07/11/08, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1133&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

21. EU to Take Another Step Towards Consolidating New Maritime Policy

European Affairs Ministers were to take another step towards consolidating the new European Integrated Maritime Policy, ensuring a sustainable future for oceans and seas, at an informal ministerial meeting on July 13th. Ministers were to discuss the recently adopted Commission Communication on maritime governance, which presents ways to better organize their maritime-related domestic policies linked to different issues, including safety at sea, border surveillance, transport, the environment, research, energy and climate change. (EC press release, dated 07/11/08, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1136&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

22. BIS Significant Export Enforcement Cases for July 2008

The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a notice announcing its most significant export enforcement cases for the month of July 2008:

(BIS notice, dated July 2008, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/complianceandenforcement/mcl072008.pdf )