Sources at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) have stated that they expect the U.S. to sign the bilateral World Trade Organization (WTO) accession agreement on market access with Vietnam after the Senate confirms Schwab as the new USTR. According to Washington Trade Daily, Schwab was not confirmed by the Senate (as expected) on Friday, May 26, 2006 due to a "hold" imposed by one Senator regarding an issue unrelated to her nomination. (WTD, dated 05/29/06, www.washingtontradedaily.com )
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued an order of investigation and hearing concerning whether three licensed non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) violated, among other things, section 10(b)(11) of the Shipping Act of 1984 and the FMC's regulations at 46 CFR 515.27 by knowingly and willfully accepting cargo from or transporting cargo for the account of an ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) that did not have a tariff and a bond as required under sections 8 and 19 of the Shipping Act.
The Washington File reports that negotiators from the U.S. and Japan ended talks in Tokyo on May 19, 2006, without reaching a final agreement on conditions for the restoration of U.S. exports of beef and beef products to Japan. The article notes that the Japanese government accepted an in-depth audit report by the U.S. government; however, the two sides failed to establish a timeline for resolving the trade impasse, which has continued for four months. (Washington File Pub 05/22/06, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=May&x=20060522180452ASesuarK0.6474268&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)
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.
In the May 17, 2006 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 40, No. 21), CBP issued notices: (1) proposing to revoke a classification ruling on two models of electrode steam humidifiers, and (2) revoking a classification ruling on a short-sleeved batting jacket. CBP states that it is also proposing to revoke, or is revoking, any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions.
Effective June 19, 2005, the International Trade Administration (ITA) is revoking the antidumping (AD) duty order on synthetic indigo from China.
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.