Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
On October 14th, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, swore in Richard Lidinsky, Jr. as the Federal Maritime Commission's 18th Chairman. President Obama had designated then-Commissioner Lidinsky as Chairman on September 11th. (News release, dated 10/23/09, available at http://www.fmc.gov/speeches/newsrelease.asp?SPEECH_ID=289)
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1. Richard Lidinsky Sworn in as FMC Chairman
2. U.S., India Meet During Trade Policy Forum
U.S. Trade Representative Kirk and India's Minister of Commerce and Industry Sharma recently met for the sixth ministerial-level meeting of the U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum. The two governments signaled their readiness to continue their bilateral trade policy dialogue with renewed vigor under the five Focus Groups: Agriculture, Innovation and Creativity, Investment, Services, and Tariff and Non-Tariff Barriers. (Press release, dated 10/26/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/october/united-states-and-india-meet-during-trade-policy-f)
3. Obama Administration to Launch Six Working Groups to Promote Exports
At the first interagency meeting of the Obama Administration's Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee, members agreed to launch six working groups and cooperate across agencies to create plans to engage more U.S. companies to boost their exports. Each group will be co-chaired by one of the TPCC agencies and a representative from Commerce. The working groups include small business, clean energy, priority markets, etc. Commerce Secretary Locke's remarks available here. (Press release, dated 10/23/09, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_008542)
4. CPSC to Issue ANPR to Improve Safety of ROVs
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a press release on its decision to publish an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) on Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles (ROVs) to address safety hazards associated with these vehicles. (Notice, dated 10/22/09, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10020.html)
5. ITA Solicits Additional Applications for U.S.-India CEO Forum
The International Trade Administration is reopening the application period to solicit additional applications, by noon on November 2, 2009, for membership appointment as representatives to the U.S. section of the U.S.-India CEO Forum. (FR Pub 10/26/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-25710.pdf)
6. OTEXA Announces Free Webinar on IPR Protection & Enforcement
The Office of Textiles and Apparel has announced a free webinar, on November 17, 2009, entitled "India/South Asia: IPR Protection and Enforcement for the Textile, Apparel, Footwear and Travel Goods Industries." (Announcement, dated 10/26/09, available at http://otexa.ita.doc.gov/)
7. EC Posts Online Copy of EU-Korea FTA
The European Commission's Trade Unit has posted an online copy of the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement, which was initialed on October 15, 2009. (Press release, posted 10/19/09, available at http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/press/index.cfm?id=443)
8. U.S.-China Economic & Security Review Commission Reports on China's Cyber Warfare Capability
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission has approved for public release a contracted reportentitled: "Capability of the People's Republic of China to Conduct Cyber Warfare and Computer Network Exploitation." (Notice, dated 10/22/09, available at http://www.uscc.gov/index.php)
9. FMC Corrects Final Rule on Recodification of Shipping Act as Positive Law
The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a correction to its October 1, 2009 final rule on the recodification of the Shipping Act as positive law. (No substantive change was involved in the final rule.) (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/02/09 news, 09100299, for BP summary of the FR notice) (D/N 09-06, FR Pub 10/26/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/Z9-22659.pdf)
10. OFAC Adds Individual, Entity to SDN List
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has added one individual and one entity to its Specially Designated Nationals list. (List, dated 10/23/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20091023.shtml)
11. APHIS Export Program PPQ Manual Updated
On October 23, 2009, APHIS updated its PPQ Export Program Manual. This is an operational manual for Authorized Certification Officials to enable them to inspect and issue Federal Export Certificates for plants and plant products. The Manual also provides information that helps exporters meet the plant quarantine import requirements of foreign countries. (Manual, updated 10/23/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/domestic/xpm.shtml)
12. FSIS Updates Lists of Mexico Establishments Eligible to Export Meat & Poultry
On October 22, 2009, the Food Safety and Inspection Service issued an updated version of its list of Mexico establishments eligible to export meat and poultry to the U.S. (List, dated 10/22/09, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Mexico_establishments.pdf)
13. FAS Reports Acceptance of DEIP Bids for Cheddar and Mozzarella
The Foreign Agricultural Service reports that the Commodity Credit Corporation has accepted bids under the Dairy Export Incentive Program from exporter Schreiber Foods, Inc. for cheddar to Africa and the Middle East (10/23/09), and from exporter P.S. International, Ltd. for mozzarella (10/23/09) to Asia and Eurasia.
14. CBSA Affirmative Dumping Determination for Mattress Innerspring Units from China
Canada Border Services Agency has made a final affirmative determination of dumping regarding mattress innerspring units with or without edgeguards, used in the manufacture of innerspring mattresses originating in or exported from China. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal is continuing its inquiry into the question of injury to the domestic industry and will make an order or finding by November 24, 2009. Provisional duties will continue to apply until this date. (Notice, dated 10/26/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/i-e/ad1383/ad1383-i09-nf-eng.html)
15. At 15th ASEAN Summit, China Signs MOUs for China-ASEAN FTA
The 15th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ended on October 25, 2009 with further support for regional integration and the aim of establishing an ASEAN Community by 2015. In addition, three Memorandums of Understanding were signed between ASEAN and China to enhance trade growth especially within the context of the successful realization of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area. (Notice, posted 10/26/09, available at http://www.aseansec.org/23112.htmArticle-20)
16. 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 the following countries:
Hong Kong (October 22, 2009)
17. Canadian Int'l Trade Tribunal Posts Determinations, Appeals, Etc.
The Canadian International Trade Tribunal posted the following notices in the October 24, 2009 edition of the Canada Gazette:
Notice No. HA-2009-006 - Appeals
Polyiso insulation board - Commencement of preliminary injury inquiry
Textiles and apparel - Determination
18. Agency Seeks Comments on Information Collections
Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
Agency Information Collection Comments Due
| EPA | ENERGY STAR Program in the Residential Sector (Renewal) | 11/25/09 |
| FDA | Tobacco Product Standard for Flavored Cigarettes | 12/28/09 |
(Information collection notices are hyperlinked to agency name.)
19. Canadian Int'l Trade Tribunal Posts Determinations, Appeals, Etc.
The Canadian International Trade Tribunal posted the following notices in the October 24, 2009 edition of the Canada Gazette:
Notice No. HA-2009-006 - Appeals
Polyiso insulation board - Commencement of preliminary injury inquiry
Textiles and apparel - Determination
20. Canada's DFAIT Invites Applications for Egg and Yogurt TRQ Shares
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has issued two notice to inform importers of the Minister's policies and practices regarding: (i) the eggs and egg products tariff rate quota (TRQ) and to invite applications for quota shares of the eggs and egg products TRQ available for allocation for the period January 1 to December 31, 2010; and (ii) the 332,000 kilogram TRQ for yogurt and to invite applications for quota shares of the yogurt TRQ available for allocation for the period January 1 to December 31, 2010.