The Bureau of Industry and Security has posted a July 2008 edition of its report entitled "Don't Let this Happen to You: Actual Investigations of Export Control and Antiboycott Violations." (Posting available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/complianceandenforcement/dontletthishappentoyou-2008.pdf)
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has posted the statement of Minister Toshihiro Nikai regarding the release of the World Trade Organization Negotiating Group on Rules Chairman's revised text on antidumping rules. (Posted 12/25/08, available at http://www.meti.go.jp/english/policy/external_economy/trade/wto/081225anti-dumping.pdf)
The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a notice announcing that it has formally requested that the parties to Agreement No. 201199 (the Port Fee Services Agreement) provide additional information. This action prevents the agreement from becoming effective as originally scheduled. Interested parties have 15 days after publication of the notice to file further comments on the agreement. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/19/08 news, 08121910, for BP summary of FMC's reqeust for additional information on Agreement No. 201199.) (Notice, FR Pub 12/24/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-30633.pdf.)
The Bureau of Industry and Security has posted a statement from Under Secretary of Commerce Mancuso regarding inaccuracies in the Washington Times article, "U.S. to Tighten Export Rules on 5 Firms in China." Mancuso discussed the Validated End User Program and the U.S.-China relationship. (Press release, dated 12/17/08, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2008/bis_press12172008.htm.)
President Bush has issued an Executive Order closing the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government on Friday, December 26, 2008. (White House press release, dated 12/12/08, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/12/20081212-2.html)
The International Trade Data System has posted a presentation to its Web site on eCl@ss, a global standard for the classification and description of products and services. ITDS also posted its Product Information Committee's statement for eCl@ss. (ITDS presentation available at http://www.itds.gov/linkhandler/itds/tsn/product_info_comm/eclass_presentation.ctt/eclass_presentation.ppt)
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued a final rule, effective December 3, 2008, amending the Iranian Transactions Regulations to expand the scope of Appendix A to Part 560 to include non-financial as well as financial institutions determined to be owned or controlled by the Government of Iran, and to add to the appendix three non-financial institutions that have been determined to be owned or controlled by the Government of Iran: The National Iranian Oil Company (aka NIOC), Naftiran Intertrade Company Ltd (aka NICO), and Naftiran Intertrade Co. (NICO) Sarl. (Final rule, FR Pub 12/04/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-28711.pdf.)
According to Federal Maritime Commission sources, on November 17, 2008, the FMC filed a motion seeking to block, on a preliminary basis, certain portions of the Los Angeles and Long Beach Port's Clean Truck Program (CTP) pending a decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of Colombia on the merits of the FMC's complaint seeking a permanent injunction against aspects of FMC Agreement No. 201170-001. Motion for preliminary injunction and ancillary documents available at http://www.fmc.gov/home/FMCFilesComplaintReLALGBAgreement.asp
The Census Bureau has issued an Automated Export System broadcast announcing that the Foreign Trade Division is extending the hours of the FTD Call Center to better assist the trade community with questions regarding the Foreign Trade Regulations, AES, and commodity classification. Starting December 1, 2008, the trade may call 1-800-549-0595, Monday through Friday: press 1 for AES and press 3 for Regulations Outreach and Education Branch (ROEB) 7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time; press 2 for Commodity Analysis Branch (CAB) 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The trade may also submit questions to askaes@census.gov or FTDregs@census.gov, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (AES Broadcast 2008061 is available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)
The Millennium Challenge Corporation has issued a notice announcing that the Board of Directors of the MCC will hold a closed meeting on December 11, 2008 in Washington, DC. (D/N MCC FR 09-03, FR Pub 12/01/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-28482.pdf)