The Washington File reports that the U.S. plans to re-establish full diplomatic relations with Libya, in response to Libya's decision to renounce terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. According to Secretary of State Rice, immediate measures include the U.S. reopening its embassy in Tripoli-the capital of Libya-as well as removing Libya from the State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism. (Washington File Pub 05/15/06, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=May&x=20060515173753idybeekcm0.448971&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)

In the May 10, 2006 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 40, No. 20), CBP issued notices: (a) modifying a classification ruling on a metal imitation lunch box, and (b) modifying or revoking two classification rulings on glass rods used to make fiber optics. CBP states that it is also revoking any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions.

According to Washington Trade Daily, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Grassley has stated that he will not move legislation to reauthorize the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program - slated to expire on December 31, 2006 - because some beneficiary countries, particularly India and Brazil, are holding up the Doha Round of World Trade Organization talks. The article also states that Ways and Means Chairman Thomas last month suggested that GSP and all other U.S. trade preference programs be allowed to expire. (WTD, dated 05/17/06, www.washingtontradedaily.com )

The International Trade Administration (ITA) has both initiated and issued the preliminary results of its antidumping (AD) duty changed circumstances review of wooden bedroom furniture from China.

In the May 10, 2006 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 40, No. 20), CBP issued notices: (a) modifying or revoking two classification rulings on alligator clips used for electrical connections, and (b) revoking three classification rulings on machines for producing metal-coated glass discs containing digitally-encoded data. CBP states that it is also revoking any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions that are contrary to its position in these notices.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective May 12, 2006, which revises 15 CFR 766.23(c) to make the appeal procedure for any person named as a related person to the respondent in an order denying export privileges identical to the appeal procedure for the respondent in that order. (BIS final rule, FR Pub 05/12/06, D/N 060320077-6077-01) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-4420.pdf.)

The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued notices announcing that it is revoking the antidumping (AD) duty orders on small diameter carbon and alloy seamless standard, line, and pressure pipe from the Czech Republic and South Africa, and the AD duty order on large diameter carbon and alloy seamless standard, line, and pressure pipe from Mexico.

If one of the companies associated with these administrative reviews does not qualify for a separate rate, the ITA states that all other exporters of the subject merchandise from China who have not qualified for a separate rate are deemed to be covered by these AD duty administrative reviews as part of the single China-wide entity of which the named exporters are a part.

On May 4, 2006, the House of Representatives amended and passed H.R. 4954, the Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act.

The International Trade Administration (ITA) frequently issues notices on antidumping (AD) and countervailing (CV) duty orders which Broker Power considers to be "minor" in importance as they concern actions that occur after an order is issued and neither announce nor cause any changes to an order's duty rates, scope, affected firms, or effective period. The ITA also issues other notices which Broker Power considers to be "minor" in importance.