Jacob Kopnick

1. ITA, USTR Request Comments on Trade Advisory Committee System

On February 18, 2010, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano and Mexican Secretary of Public Safety Luna signed a Declaration of Principles of Cooperation on joint efforts to secure the U.S.-Mexico border and share information about transnational threats while streamlining legitimate travel and trade. (DHS press release, dated 02/18/10, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1266515652313.shtm.)

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners gave preliminary approval tonearly $9 million in extra incentives to further boost participation in the Green Flag air quality program and toincrease the use of trains to move import and export cargo containers. The Green Flag Program, whichgives financialincentives to ship operators to slow down their vessels near the Port,will double to $6 million a year. (News release, posted 02/02/10, available at http://www.polb.com/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=666&targetid=1)

The Transportation Security Administration has issued an annual summary of all enforcement actions taken by TSA under the authority granted in the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11Commission Act of 2007. (D/N TSA-2009-0024, FR Pub 12/28/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-30623.pdf)

China's Ministry of Commerce announced pledges by the Chinese government to push forward the transformation of the nation's economic development pattern in 2010 while maintaining stable and comparatively fast economic growth. Among other things, China said it would continue to enrich current policies to enhance domestic demand, including the subsidized rural purchase programs of home appliances and autos. (Notice, dated 12/07/09, available at http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/xw/t631846.htm)

"Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions" is a regular feature of International Trade Today. The following are brief summaries of recent Capitol Hill actions.

At a meeting of the World Customs Organization Secretary General and CBP Acting Commissioner Ahern in late October, CBP officials confirmed the (full) entry into force on January 26, 2010 of the Importer Security Filing (10+2 data) requirements. The WCO Secretary General raised members' continued concerns about U.S. 100% scanning requirements by 2012, noting that the Globally Networked Customs concept could facilitate the risk management approach advocated by the WCO. (Report, posted 10/28/09, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/speeches/?v=1&lid=1&cid=2&id=176)

According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, an arbitral tribunal has rejected Canada's claim that it cured its breach of the U.S.-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement when it offered to pay the U.S. government $36.66 million instead of imposing the compensatory measures worth approximately $54.8 million that the tribunal had directed Canada to impose in February 2009.

The Census Bureau has issued an Automated Export System broadcast announcing that effective August 3, 2009, AESDirect will deploy modifications to security measures and user authentication practices. All of these changes fall under the Department of Commerce's security guidelines and address the U.S. Census Bureau's IT Security Program Requirements. The upgrade to the AESDirect system will provide AESDirect users with the utmost in account security. (See broadcast for list of changes.) (AES Broadcast 2009027 available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.)

Mexico's National Cargo Transportation Association (Canacar) announced on June 1, that it is suing the U.S. for $6 billion because of its refusal to allow Mexican haulers onto its roads as required under the North American Free Trade Agreement. About 4,500 Mexican trucking companies are involved in the lawsuit, according to Canacar. (Notice, available at http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=79026)