Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. LB Preliminarily Approves Extra Incentives to Use Trains for Cargo

2. FMC Announces Reorganization

Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Lidinsky has announced a reorganization of the FMC that became effective January 31, 2010. The new organization establishes a Managing Director to ensure that the FMC's major offices are cohesively directed and heightened priority to the role of the Commission's Office of Consumer Affairs & Dispute Resolution Services. (News release, dated 02/01/10, available at http://www.fmc.gov/speeches/newsrelease.asp?SPEECH_ID=302)

3. AAFA Submits Comments to USTR Opposing 421 Case on China Tires

The American Apparel and Footwear Association has submitted comments to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative opposing the U.S. government's decision in the Section 421 case against U.S. imports of Chinese tires. (AAFA comments, dated 01/29/10) available at http://www.apparelandfootwear.org/letters/chinaustr421tirecomments100129.pdf.)

4. EPA Requests Comments on TSCA Testing Committee Report

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that its Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Interagency Testing Committee has transmitted its Sixty-Fifth Report to the Administrator of EPA. EPA notes that the Committee has no revisions to the TSCA section 4(e) Priority Testing List at this time. Comments on the report must be received on or before March 4, 2010. (FR Pub 02/02/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-2152.pdf)

5. ITA Announces Franchise Trade Mission to Mexico

The International Trade Administration's U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service is organizing a Trade Mission to Mexico City, March 3-5, 2010, with an optional spin-off visit to Monterrey, which will focus on assisting U.S. franchise companies to launch or increase their business in the Mexican market. The mission will help participating firms gain market insight, make industry contacts, solidify business strategies, and advance specific projects. (FR Pub 02/02/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-2115.pdf)

6. Two Executives Sentenced for Nigerian Foreign Bribery Scheme

The Justice Department reports that two former Willbros International Inc. executives have been sentenced to prison for their roles a $6 million foreign bribery scheme directed toward government officials of a Nigerian political party. (Press release, dated 01/28/10, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/January/10-crm-102.html)

7. Registration Opens for Export Live! Annual Conference in March 2010

The Export.Gov Website is announcing that registration is now open for its annual conference that will be held in Washington, D.C. on March 11-12, 2010. The conference includes instructional workshops on using Ex-Im Bank programs, and workshops on a variety of markets and industries such as Columbia and Nigeria and Construction Equipment and Services. The full conference agenda is available online. (Notice, posted 02/01/10, available at http://www.export.gov/)

8. USDA Secretary Appoints National Pork Producers Delegate Body

USDA Secretary Vilsack has announced the appointment of 154 pork producers and 6 importers to the 2010 National Pork Producers Delegate Body. All appointees will serve a one-year term. The appointees were selected from nominees submitted by state pork producer association and importer groups. (News release, dated 01/28/10, available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateU&navID=&page=Newsroom&resultType=Details&dDocName=STELPRDC5082234&dID=126112&wf=false&description=SecretaryVilsackAppointsNationalPorkProducersDelegateBody&topNav=Newsroom)

9. FAS Issues World Market and Trade Report on Citrus

The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued a World Market and Trade Report on Citrus which states that global orange production is nearly unchanged, while US orange production is forecast to drop 11 percent due to poor growing conditions in Florida during 2009. However, production is forecast up 13 percent in California where the majority of US fresh orange exports are grown. (Report, posted 01/28/10, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/htp/2010January_Citrus.pdf)

10. China May Sanction Companies, Punish U.S. Gov't for Taiwan Arms Sales

China's People's Daily Online reports that a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman urged U.S. companies to stop promoting or being involved in arms sales to Taiwan. The spokesman said that U.S. companies which ignore China's stern objections and decide to sell weapons to Taiwan regardless, will face sanctions. China has also decided to halt bilateral military programs and security talks with the U.S. over the issue. (Notice, dated 02/02/10, available at http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/6885977.html)

11. China Designates Ports for Certain Living Plant Material Imports

According to an announcement issued by China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, living plant materials for propagation including plant seeds, seedlings, parent stocks, scions, cuttings, corms and root tubers (plant seeds and seedlings) are to be imported into China through designated ports as of April 1, 2010. See notice for port details. (News release, dated 02/02/10, available at http://english.aqsiq.gov.cn/NewsRelease/NewsUpdates/201002/t20100202_136204.htm)

12. WCO Announces Worldwide Security Conference in February

The World Customs Organization is announcing that the EastWest Institute will hold its Seventh Annual Worldwide Security Conference on February 18, 2010 on WCO headquarters. The WCO states that the conference is a platform to reframe perceptions of international security threats and opportunities and determine concrete steps to protect people, economies and infrastructure around the world. (Notice, posted 02/01/10, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/event.htm)

13. DDTC Updates License Processing Times for Jan. 2010

The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has updated its table of license processing times to include January 2010. The table includes cases received, cases closed, cases open at the end of the month, and average processing time (in calendar days). (Table, updated 02/10/10, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/metrics/index.html)

14. Foreign Trade Zone Board Actions and Notices

The Foreign Trade Zone Board issued the following notices:

FTZ 26: Approval of Manufacturing Authority: Foreign Trade Zone 26; West Point, GA

FTZ 123: Application for Subzone: Foreign Trade Zone 123; Denver, CO

15. 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:

99-05: Raw Agricultural Products for Pesticides

80-06: Fraudulent and Deceptive Medical Devices

66-41: Unapproved New Drugs Promoted in the U.S.

45-02: Foods Containing Illegal and/or Undeclared Colors

33-10: Candy Due to Lead

16-129: Seafood Products Due to Nitrofurans

16-81: Seafood Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella

16. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

Senegal - Retail Foods: Retail Food Sector 2010

Thailand - Rice Price - Weekly: Weekly Rice Price Update

Australia - Commercial Cultivation of GM Canola Approved in 3rd Australian State: Biotechnology, Grain and Feed

China - Designated Seed Import Locations: FAIRS Subject Report