On April 28, 2009 China and Peru signed a free trade agreement in Beijing. The agreement is the first FTA package China has signed with a Latin American country. (Notice, dated 04/28/09, available at http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/6647262.html)
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a final rule, effective April 13, 2009, to carry out the purposes of Executive Order 13396, ''Blocking Property of Certain Persons Contributing to the Conflict in Cte d'Ivoire" under which sanctions have been in place since February 8, 2006.
The World Trade Organization has issued a compliance panel report examining the implementation measures by the U.S. in the dispute "U.S.-Measures Relating to Zeroing and Sunset Reviews" (DS322) brought by Japan. (See future issue of ITT for details.)(Report, dated 04/24/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news09_e/322rw_e.htm)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a proposed rule to allow, under certain conditions, the importation of commercial shipments of fresh papaya from Colombia and Ecuador into the continental U.S. The conditions for the importation of papayas from Colombia and Ecuador include requirements for approved production locations, procedures for packing and shipping, etc. Written comments are due by June 22, 2009. APHIS' press release on the proposed rule is available here. (D/N APHIS-2008-0050, FR Pub 04/21/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-9100.pdf)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has posted the remarks of USDA Secretary Vilsack at the recent G8 Agricultural Ministerial meeting. Among other things, Vilsack stated, "A successful conclusion to the World Trade Organization's Doha Development Round would reduce and eliminate tariffs and other barriers, as well as market-distorting subsidies for agricultural goods. We strongly encourage countries to lift trade-restrictive policy measures, such as export restrictions." (Remarks, dated 04/18/09, available at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/04/0117.xml.)
Canadian Prime Minister Harper has announced a new initiative to use the International Airport in Winnipeg Canada and surrounding land as a hub to import goods from Asia and Europe and then distribute those goods throughout North America by air, rail and road. The governments of Canada and Manitoba are jointly funding the next phase of this project, which involves building a high-speed transportation corridor. (Notice, dated 04/14/09, available at http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=2521)
According to a White House press briefing, on April 13, 2009, the President directed the Secretaries of State, Treasury and Commerce to carry out the actions necessary to lift all restrictions on the ability of individuals to visit family members in Cuba, and to send them remittances.
The U.S. Trade Representative is requesting that those interested in serving as panelists for four separate rosters for Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement dispute settlement panels apply by May 13, 2009. A general roster is required to be established under Chapter Twenty (Dispute Settlement), Chapter Twelve (Financial Services), Chapter Sixteen (Labor), and Chapter Seventeen (Environment). (FR Pub 04/13/09, Notice available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-8321.pdf)
The European Commission recently adopted a regulation which sets a transitional period from July 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010 during which traders will have the option of submitting electronic entry or exit summary declarations on goods before they enter or leave the European Union. Unanticipated delays have occurred in the implementation process of electronic entry or exit summary declarations so that not all actors will be in a position to submit those declarations by July 1, 2009. During the transitional period, goods not declared in advance will be submitted to risk analysis after arrival or before departure of those goods. The regulation can be found here and here. (Press release, dated 04/02/09, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEX/09/0402&format=HTML&aged=0&language=en&guiLanguage=en)
Canada Border Services Agency has announced that its residents of British Columbia can start applying for B.C.'s Enhanced Driver's Licence (EDL) - a driver's licence that also allows the cardholder to cross into the U.S. at land or water ports of entry between Canada and the U.S. with a single piece of identification. (News Release, dated 04/06/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/media/release-communique/2009/2009-04-06-eng.html)