The Department of State has issued a Presidential permit for an innovative U.S.-Mexico border crossing in California. The permit allows an enclosed pedestrian bridge to be built across the U.S.-Mexico border linking a passenger facility in San Diego (initially containing customs inspection facilities, parking, and ground transportation) with the commercial passenger airport in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. The project is intended to provide U.S. originating or destined air travelers quick, secure, and reliable access to flights at the Tijuana Airport, reduce congestion at neighboring border crossings, and curb economic losses associated with border delays.
The Foreign Trade Zone Board has issued the following notices:
The Department of Agriculture reports that U.S. officials are once again working to get U.S. poultry into Russia, after that country slapped new conditions onto an agreement that had been signed three weeks ago.
In response to a question on the UAE’s and other countries (India, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia) decisions on the Blackberry at the State Department's August 4, 2010 daily press briefing, State Dept Assistant Secretary Crowley stated that the U.S. was in touch with the United Arab Emirates and other governments to better understand what their concerns and their plans are.
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued two notices that either reissue or revoke an ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) license, as follows:
The Agricultural Marketing Service announces a Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee public meeting on September 13-14, 2010. Topics of discussion will include: GAP harmonization and audit requirements, food safety updates, local farmer/education initiatives, commodity purchasing programs, and working group reports and recommendations to the full committee.
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists those applying for ocean transportation intermediary licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:
Representatives of the U.S. and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) recently convened the sixth meeting of the U.S.-UEMOA Trade and Investment Framework Agreement Council. The two sides discussed a broad range of trade and investment-related issues, including implementation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, cooperation in the World Trade Organization, and issues relating to regional integration, agriculture, business climate and investment, infrastructure and trade capacity building.
The U.S. China Economic and Security Review Commission has updated its list of hearings scheduled for the 2010 report cycle. As additional hearings are scheduled they will be announced in the Federal Register and posted to USCC's web site. The full agenda for each hearing will be posted to the web site one week prior to the hearing date.
The Congressional Research Service has issued a report entitled “NAFTA and the Mexican Economy,” which discusses the effect of the North American Free Trade Agreement on U.S.-Mexico economic and trade relations.