Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

The World Economic Forum has released Global Risks 2010, which states that fiscal crises and unemployment, underinvestment in infrastructure -- especially in energy and agriculture -- and chronic disease will be the pivotal areas of risk over the next years. (Press release, posted 01/14/10, available at http://www.weforum.org/en/media/Latest%20Press%20Releases/PR_GRR2010)

2. China Increases Duty-Free Treatment for Ethiopian Products, Other African Countries to Follow

According to China's Ministry of Commerce, on January 12, 2010, China and Ethiopia exchanged letters that will increase from 400 to over 4700 the number of tariff numbers for which products from Ethiopia may enter China duty-free. MOFCOM states in 2010, about 60% of Ethiopia's products will enjoy this duty-free treatment and that China is currently making similar preparations with relevant countries in Africa. (News release, dated 01/14/10, available at http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/newsrelease/significantnews/201001/20100106746172.html)

3. China Remained EU's Primary Target of Trade Remedy Investigations in 2009

China's Ministry of Commerce and China's Bureau of Fair Trade for Imports and Exports state that in 2009, the European Union initiated seven new trade remedy investigations on products from China, accounting for 58% of total new cases and maintaining China as the primary target country of EU trade remedy investigations. (News release, dated 01/15/10, available at http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/newsrelease/commonnews/201001/20100106747133.html)

4. MOFCOM Says China's Exports Fell 16% in 2009, But Large Trade Surplus Maintained

China's Ministry of Commerce states that in 2009, the total value of its imports and exports was $2.2073 trillion, down 13.9% year-on-year. Its exports reached $1.2017 trillion, down 16%, and its imports were $1.0056 trillion, down 11.2%. The trade surplus stood at $196.1 billion, down 34.2% from the same period the previous year. (News release, dated 01/15/10, available at http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/newsrelease/commonnews/201001/20100106747140.html)

5. Morehead City, NC Port Reopens After Hazardous Material Spill

The North Carolina Port Authority announced that the U.S. Coast Guard reopened the Port of Morehead City terminal and adjacent waterways on January 14, 2010 after cleanup of a hazardous materials spill that took place January 12, 2010. (See ITT’s Online Archives or 01/13/10 news, (Ref: 10011399) #3, for BP summary.) (Press release 01/14/10, available at http://www.ncports.com/news_detail_450.htm)

6. EDA Issues FY 2009 Annual Report on Trade Adjustment Assistance

The Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration has issued its Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms Program Fiscal Year 2009 Annual Report. Overall, there has been an increase in the demand for the TAAF Program in fiscal year 2009, as demonstrated by the increase in the number of petitions for certification and Adjustment Proposals submitted to EDA for approval. (FR Pub 01/15/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-561.pdf)

7. OFAC Unblocks Specially Designated National Pursuant to Terrorism EO

The Office of Foreign Assets Control is removing the name of one individual from the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons whose property and interests in property have been 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. The individual, HUBER, Albert Friedrich Armand, was designated pursuant to Executive Order 13224 on November 7, 2001. (FR Pub 01/15/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-630.pdf)

8. DHS Announces Closed Meeting of Security Science and Technology Committee

The Department of Homeland Security has announced that its Homeland Security Science and Technology Advisory Committee will meet January 26-28, 2010, at the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, DC. This meeting will be closed to the public. (D/N DHS-2009-0158, FR Pub 01/15/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-737.pdf)

9. DHS Requests Comments on Updated Document on Above-Ground Gas Storage Regulations

The Department of Homeland Security invites public comment on issues related to certain regulatory provisions in the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) that apply to facilities that store gasoline in above-ground storage tanks. In addition, DHS is withdrawing the version of this document published in the January 12, 2010 Federal Register, because the footnotes in that document were misplaced. This document supersedes the January 12 document. Comments are due by March 16, 2010. (FR Pub 01/15/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-738.pdf)

10. OFAC Updates its Specially Designated Nationals List

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has added individuals and entities to its SDN list. OFAC also updated information for one individual on the list (Quintero Sanclemente, Ramon Alberto). (List, dated 01/14/10, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20100114.shtml)

11. APHIS Canadian Border Agricultural Clearance PPQ Manual Updated

On January 13, 2010, APHIS updated its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Canadian Border Agricultural Clearance Manual. This Manual serves as a guide for authorized Federal officers at ports of entry along the Canadian Border. (Manual, updated 01/13/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/canadian.shtml)

12. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published notice of the following voluntary recalls:

(CPSC recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereljan10.html)

13. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

14. Revised FDA Import Alerts

The Food and Drug Administration has posted revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:

15. 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

(Information collection notices are hyperlinked to agency name.)