The National Association of Manufacturers issued a policy paper entitled “Manufacturing Strategy for Jobs and a Competitive America” in June 2010. Its policy paper laid out its arguments for less taxation, a pro-growth regulatory environment, the defense of U.S. intellectual property (IP), and the modernization of the U.S. export system, among other goals.
The Treasury Department has designated Anwar al-Aulaqi, a key leader for al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), a Yemen-based terrorist group pursuant to Executive Order 13224 for supporting acts of terrorism, which freezes any assets Aulaqi has under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in any transactions with him.
The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a proposed rule to establish procedures the U.S. Department of Agriculture would use to conduct the first (and any subsequent) required referendum on whether to continue the Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Order, which was established in May 2008.
U.S. Trade Representative Kirk spoke at a July 14, 2010 event to welcome the launch of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s (APEC) USA Host Committee's preparation to host APEC in 2011, including the APEC meeting of Ministers Related to Trade (MRT) in Big Sky, Montana in May 2011. Ambassador Kirk emphasized the U.S.’s opportunity to partner with the economies in the Asia-Pacific region to promote trade by small and medium-sized businesses, create jobs, increase exports and grow the U.S. economy.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration is issuing an interim rule, effective July 20, 2010, to potentially make permanent the current waiver for high quality grain exported in containers from the mandatory inspection and weighing requirements of the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA). This interim rule only extends for 2 years a 5-year waiver that is set to expire on July 31, 2010, and asks for interested parties to comment on making this waiver permanent by September 17, 2010.
On June 3, 2010, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and the Agricultural Marketing Service signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the enforcement responsibilities of each agency with respect to the labeling and advertising of alcohol beverages produced under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and for other purposes.
On July 14, 2010, the American Apparel & Footwear Association sent comments to the International Trade Commission for use in the development of its report to Congress on the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA). In its submission, AAFA addressed two issues it says are critical to the continued success of ATPA. The first is AAFA’s firm belief in the need to keep Peru in the program. Second, AAFA strongly believes that Ecuador’s continuation of so-called Balance of Payments safeguard measures not only violates international trade obligations, but also flies in the face of both the letter and spirit of ATPA.
Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Sapiro discussed the U.S. - Brazil trade relationship with members of the Council on Foreign Relations on July 15, 2010. The event, entitled “Brazil’s Role in the Global Economic System,” was part of CFR’s Global Brazil Initiative and sought to explore Brazil’s rising global economic aspirations, trade agenda, and role in multilateral economic institutions.