Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Trade Ministers attending the Global Services Summit held in Washington, DC in October 2009 confirmed that in September, a group of 20 trade ministers agreed to push for negotiating services alongside agriculture and manufacturing in the World Trade Organization Doha Round, instead of afterwards. (Global Services Summit Transcripts available at http://www.uscsi.org/ServicesSummit2009.html)
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1. Group of 20 Trade Ministers Seek to Address Services Earlier in Doha
2. Logistics Providers Think Trade Facilitation Should be Addressed at Doha
Transportation and Logistics industry Presenters at the Global Services Summit held in Washington, DC in October 2009 stated that the transportation industry never receives much focus in WTO talks, but that measures to facilitate trade would have a greater impact than any tariff reductions being considered at the Doha Round. (Global Services Summit Transcripts available at http://www.uscsi.org/ServicesSummit2009.html)
3. DHS OIG's Report Finds CBP's Cash Collection Process Could be Improved
The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General has posted a report on its audit of the design and implementation of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's internal controls related to the cash collection process. . According to the OIG, CBP has in place several good practices designed to mitigate cash collection and deposit risk at ports of entry, but its implementation of internal controls could be improved. (OIG report OIG-09-105, dated September 2009, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xoig/assets/mgmtrpts/OIG_09-105_Sep09.pdf.)
4. DDTC Reminder that 2010 Javits Reports are Due Oct. 23rd
The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has issued a reminder that submissions for the 2010 Javits Report are due to DDTC on Friday, October 23rd. The original Federal Register Notice is available here. (Notice, posted 10/19/09, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/)
5. HKTDC Posts Guidance on Selling in China
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council has posted a guidance document for selling in China. (Document, 10/15/09, available at http://www.hktdc.com/info/vp/a/ctde/en/1/1/1/1X068WJT/China-Trade/Selling-in-China---Beijing.htm)
6. CPSC Removes Electronic Device Final Rule from Oct. 21st Agenda
The Consumer Product Safety Commission will no longer discuss the final rule on electronic devices at its October 21, 2009 meeting that is open to the public. The meeting will continue to include the previously announced topics of: (i) lab accreditation requirements for lead; (ii) a brass lead content exclusion request; (iii) a guidance document on lead determinations; and (iv) an ANPR on Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles. (Notice, dated 10/21/09, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/calendarmast.html)
7. TSA Hosts Int'l Partners to Discuss Air Cargo Security, Ports, Intermodal Transport, Etc.
The Transportation Security Administration's Office of Global Strategies hosted 21 international partners to discuss key TSA programs, including: the foreign dignitary facilitation program; new security technologies; checkpoint Evolution/black diamond; and advances and improvements in airport operations, air cargo security, mass transit, ports and intermodal, pipeline, freight rail, airports and air carriers. (Notice, dated 10/15/09, available at http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/ogs_openhouse.shtm)
8. Commerce Secretary to Travel to China to Co-Chair JCCT and Address IPR, Clean Energy Issues
U.S. Commerce Secretary Locke will travel to China to co-chair the annual high-level U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade meeting on October 28-29, 2009. Locke will attend additional events to address intellectual property rights protection and to discuss opportunities and barriers to entry for U.S. energy companies. (Press release, dated 10/19/09, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_008525)
9. Agriculture Secretary to Participate in JCCT, Speak on Ag Issues
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack will also participate in the JCCT. In addition, Vilsack will hold private meetings with Chinese government officials in Beijing, visit with U.S. agricultural businesses in Shanghai, and travel to the Philippines to participate in a U.S. Trade Mission. (News release, dated 10/19/09, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0261-09)
10. State Dept Proposes Extending Memo on Restrictions on El Salvador Archaeological Material
The State Department is requesting comments by November 19, 2009 on the Government of El Salvador's interest in extending their Memorandum of Understanding concerning the imposition of import restrictions on certain archaeological material from the pre-Hispanic cultures of El Salvador. (Public Notice 6780, FR Pub 10/20/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-25182.pdf)
11. DOE Repeals Obsolete Energy Test Regs for Analog TVs
The Energy Department has issued a final rule, effective October 20, 2009, which repeals its regulatory provisions on the test procedure for televisions under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as they have been made obsolete by the June 13, 2009 transition from analog to digital television in the U.S. (D/N EERE-2009-BT-TP-0020, FR Pub 10/20/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-25170.pdf)
12. ITA's Environmental Technologies Trade Advisory Committee to Meet
The International Trade Administration's Environmental Technologies Trade Advisory Committee (ETTAC) is holding an open meeting on October 29, 2009, to discuss environmental goods and services trade liberalization efforts in the World Trade Organization, United Nations climate negotiations in Copenhagen, and other administrative items. (FR Pub 10/20/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-25125.pdf)
13. Special Ex-Im Bank Subcommittee Meeting on Sub-Saharan Africa
The Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee of the Export-Import Bank will hold an open meeting on November 4, 2009 on recent developments in Sub-Saharan Africa markets, followed by an update on a new Sub-Saharan Africa special initiative, among other things. (FR Pub 10/20/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-25047.pdf)
14. BIS Information Systems Advisory Committee to Meet
The Bureau of Industry and Security is holding a partially open meeting on November 4, 2009, in Washington, D.C. The open portion of the meeting will discuss microprocessors with encryption and the intelligent technology roadmap. (FR Pub 10/20/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-25189.pdf)
15. President Continues National Emergency for Colombia Due to Narcotics Traffickers
President Obama has issued a notice that continues the National Emergency with respect to significant narcotics traffickers centered in Colombia. (FR Pub 10/20/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-25414.pdf)
16. European Parliament Suggests Commitments for Global Climate Change Conference
The European Parliament's Environment Committee has adopted a draft resolution outlining what it thinks countries should agree to at the Copenhagen global climate change conference in December 2009. Among other things, the resolution states that developed countries should agree to significantly reduce their emissions collectively (at the high end of the 25-40% range by and a long-term reduction target of at least 80% by 2050 compared to 1990.) Developing countries as a group should limit their emission growth to 15 - 30% below "business as usual." (Press release, dated 10/20/09, available at http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/064-62730-292-10-43-911-20091019IPR62729-19-10-2009-2009-false/default_en.htm)
17. Updated List of Instructions and U.S. Plants for Exporting Meat and Poultry to Foreign Countries
FSIS has provided updated information for the export of U.S. meat and poultry to
Kuwait (October 19, 2009)
18. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports
The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:
Belgium EU-27 Application of import duties to durum wheat: Agricultural Situation
Taiwan Agricultural Biotechnology Annual: Enter a Descriptive Report Name
India Exporter Guide Annual: 2009
South Africa Canned Deciduous Fruit Annual: Canned Deciduous Fruit
Thailand Bangkok Newsletter - October 2009: Agricultural Situation, Market Development Reports