Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
In his written answers to questions posed by the Senate Finance Committee as part of the confirmation process, Treasury Secretary Geithner addressed numerous issues, including China currency manipulation. According to Treasury Secretary Geithner, President Obama believes that China is manipulating its currency and has pledged to use aggressively all the diplomatic avenues open to him to seek change in China's currency practices. (Written answers, dated 01/21/09, available at http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/leg/LEG%202009/012209%20TFG%20Questions.pdf.)
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1. Treasury Secretary Answers Questions on China Currency Manipulation, Etc.
2. House Passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan
On January 28, 2009, the House of Representatives passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1), making supplemental appropriations for job preservation and creation, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and science, assistance to the unemployed, and State and local fiscal stabilization, for fiscal year ending September 30, 2009. (Congressional Record, dated 01/28/09, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r111:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20090128).
3. OMB Completes Review of TWIC Card Reader Requirements Rule
The Office of Management and Budget completed on January 15, 2009, its review of the Coast Guard's rule entitled "Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC); Card Reader Requirements." (OMB notice available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoDetails?rrid=116776.)
4. APHIS Withdraws Plant Importation Proposed Rule
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service withdrew on January 22, 2009 its proposed rule entitled "Importation of Plants for Planting; Establishing a New Category of Plants for Planting Not Authorized for Importation Pending Risk." (OMB notice available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?ruleID=289520.)
5. U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission Hearing Schedule
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission has posted its 2009 hearing schedule. (USCC schedule available at http://www.uscc.gov/index.php.)
6. S. African Development Community Eligible to Receive Defense Goods, Services
The President has issued a memorandum for the Secretary of State announcing the eligibility of the Southern African Development Community to receive defense articles and defense services under Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, and the Arms Export Control Act, as amended. (Presidential Determination No. 2009-13, FR Pub 01/29/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-2066.pdf.)
7. ITA Announces Trade Mission to Latin America
The International Trade Administration has issued a notice announcing the organization of an Aerospace Executive Service (AES) trade mission to the Latin America Aero and Defense (LAAD) 2009 show, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 14-17, 2009. (Notice, FR Pub 01/29/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-1866.pdf.)
8. OFAC Designates Two Colombian Companies
The Treasury Department has issued a news release announcing that the Office of Foreign Assets Control designated two Colombian companies, Aquilea S.A. and Megaplast S.A., as Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers pursuant to Executive Order 12978. OFAC also updated its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list. (Press release TG-05, dated 01/28/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/tg05.htm; OFAC notice available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20090128.shtml.)
9. BIS Order Temporarily Bars Export Privileges for Iran Shipping Lines
The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a Temporary Denial Order (TDO), denying for 180 days the export privileges of Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and Tadbir Sanaat Sharif Technology Development Center (TSS), both based in Tehran, Iran, and of Icarus Marine (Pty) Ltd. of Cape Town, South Africa. The TDO was issued based upon evidence that the denied parties are about to violate the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by re-exporting a Bladerunner 51 powerboat, the "Bradstone Challenger," to TSS for intended use by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps ("IRGC") navy. (Press release, dated 01/25/09, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2009/bis_press01232009.htm.)
10. BIS Fourth Export Control Forum
BIS issued a notice announcing that its fourth annual Export Control Forum will be held on March 16, 2009 in Newport Beach, California. The forum will be followed by concurrent special topics seminars on March 17, 2009. (Notice available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/seminarsandtraining/newport_beach_mar_16_09.htm.)
11. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published notice of the following voluntary recalls:
| Product: Reason | Company | Release |
|---|---|---|
| Stationary Bicycle Trainers: Fall Hazard | Saris Cycling Group (WI) | 09-102 |
| Tony Hawk Boy's Pajama Sets: Burn Hazard | Mad Dog Concepts (NY) | 09-103 |
| Rheem, Ruud and United Refrigeration Oil-Fired Furnaces: Fire Hazard | Air Conditioning Division of Rheem Manufacturing Co. (AR) | 09-104 |
| Jesus Fish Beads: Lead Paint Violation | Discount School Supply (CA) | 09-718 |
| Glider Recliners: Fall Hazard | Lane Furniture Industries Inc. (MS) | 09-719 |
| LCD television wall mounts: Fall Hazard | Milestone AV Technologies (MN) | 09-105 |
| High School Musical Manicure Kits: Lead Exposure | Fantas-Eyes Inc. (NY) | 09-106 |
| Lip Gloss Keychains: Lead Exposure | Markwins Beauty Products (CA) | 09-107 |
| Home Sweet Playhome Canopies: Entrapment & Strangulation Hazards | The Land of Nod (IL) | 09-108 |
| Primovolta\" and \"Primavolta\" Warming Gloves: Burn Hazard | Outdoor Research Inc. (WA) | 09-110 |
CPSC January recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereljan09.html.
12. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
India Grain and Feed: Rice Exports Developments
India Agricultural Situation: Weekly Highlights & Hot Bites, 4
Spain Agricultural Situation: Press Highlights
Taiwan Organic Products: Update on Taiwan's New Organic Regulations and Labeling Requirements
Australia Agricultural Situation: Australian Government Announces Food Production Grants
Belgium-Luxembourg HRI Food Service Sector: Benelux
Burma Grain and Feed: Beans and Pulses Monthly Trade Report - February
Burma Grain and Feed: Beans and Pulses Monthly Trade Report - April
Burma Grain and Feed: Beans and Pulses Monthly Trade Report - May
Burma Grain and Feed: Beans and Pulses Monthly Trade Report - June
Burma Grain and Feed: Beans and Pulses Monthly Trade Report - July
Burma Grain and Feed: Beans and Pulses Monthly Trade Report - August
Burma Grain and Feed: Beans and Pulses Monthly Trade Report - September
Burma Grain and Feed: Beans and Pulses Monthly Trade Report - October
Burma Grain and Feed: Beans and Pulses Monthly Trade Report - November
Burma Grain and Feed: Beans and Pulses Monthly Trade Report - December
Germany Agricultural Situation: German and EU Consumers Misinterpret Traffic Light Labeling
Italy FAIRS: Pet Food Export Requirements to Italy
Japan Agricultural Situation: The History of U.S. Soybean Exports to Japan
Netherlands HRI Food Service Sector: Benelux
Thailand Grain and Feed: Weekly Rice Price Update
13. Canada Tables Legislation to Implement FTA with Certain European Countries
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has posted a news release announcing that Canada tabled in Parliament legislation to implement Canada's free trade agreement with the states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) - Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. (DFAIT press release, dated 01/28/09, available at http://w01.international.gc.ca/minpub/Publication.aspx?isRedirect=True&publication_id=386773&language=E&docnumber=22.)
14. Canada Exporter Notice on Application for Saskatchewan Allocation
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has posted a notice to exporters on the application for Saskatchewan's 2009 softwood lumber allocation. (DFAIT notice, dated 01/27/09, available at http://www.international.gc.ca/eicb/notices/ser163-en.asp.)