The White House and the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control have issued a fact sheet and press release which provide details on the expanded and tightened economic sanctions against Sudan1, in response to its repeated violations of human rights and support for international terrorism.
Washington Trade Daily reports that the Bush Administration will soon be advising Colombia, Panama, Peru and South Korea about the changes that must be made to their pending free trade agreements under the recent deal reached with Congressional Democrats last week. The deal would make major changes to FTAs regarding worker rights, environmental protections, access to medicines, investment and other issues. (WTD, dated 05/14/07, www.washingtontradedaily.com )
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a press release announcing the inaugural meeting of the U.S.-Mexico Consultative Committee on Agriculture on May 8, 2007. The trading partners discussed the January 1, 2008 deadline for full implementation of the remaining provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement, technical assistance projects in Mexico, pending farm legislation, biotechnology, and other issues. (USTR press release, dated 05/08/07, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2007/May/US,_MEXICAN_OFFICIALS_DISCUSS_TRADE_ISSUES_IN_CONSULTATIVE_COMMITTEE_ON_AGRICULTURE.html)
According to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the European Commission decided on March 29, 2007 to extend until 2008 the validity date of the ecological criteria for various product groups including: televisions, textiles, refrigerators, washing machines, tissue paper, and dishwasher detergent. The eco-labeling scheme, depicted by a flower logo, is voluntary and aimed at promoting the sale of products determined by independent bodies to have a reduced environmental impact. (HKTDC article, dated 04/20/07, available at http://www.tdctrade.com/alert/eu0708d.htm?w_sid=194&w_pid=703&w_nid=&w_cid=&w_idt=1900-01-01&w_oid=166&w_jid=)
The European Union (EU) has issued a press release announcing that it has proposed to remove all remaining quota and tariff limitations on access to the EU market for all African, Caribbean and Pacific regions as part of the Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations. The offer will apply immediately following the signing of an agreement - with a phase-in period for rice and sugar. The EU states that the only exception will be South Africa where a number of products will continue to pay import duties. (EU press release, dated 04/04/07, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/476&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)
Shippers' NewsWire reports that the Port of New York and New Jersey will be one of the first ports in the U.S. to test readers for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). (SNW, dated 04/13/07, www.americanshipper.com)
The Commerce Department has issued a press release stating that on March 23, 2007, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez and National Economic Council Director Allan Hubbard announced the establishment of a U.S-Brazil CEO Forum, which will bring together American and Brazilian business leaders to identify ways to strengthen economic ties between the two countries. (See ITT's Online Archives or 03/30/07 news, 07033099 1, for BP summary announcing membership opportunities for this Forum (applications due by April 20, 2007).) (Commerce Dept. press release, dated 03/23/07, available at http://www.commerce.gov/opa/press/Secretary_Gutierrez/2007_Releases/March/23_Gutierrez_US_Brazil_CEO_Forum_rls.html)
An article in American Shipper reports that forwarders, brokers, and non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) are getting caught in a costly squeeze as they are experiencing, both inbound and outbound, government agencies putting a hold on cargo. The article notes that the results of this situation can be demurrage and detention charges, as well as missed sailings. (American Shipper, February 2007, www.americanshipper.com.)
The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued a notice which clarifies its policy at 31 CFR Parts 538 and 560 with respect to the process for issuing one-year licenses to export agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices to Sudan and Iran pursuant to section 906 of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (TSRA) (Title IX, Public Law 106-387).
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release welcoming Mexico's February 26, 2007 announcement that it had requested World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement consultations with China on prohibited subsidies. The press release notes that Mexico is joining the U.S. in challenging China's provision of certain subsidies that appear to be inconsistent with its WTO commitments. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/22/07 news, 07022210, for BP summary of a U.S. request for WTO consultations with China regarding such subsidies.) (USTR press release, dated 02/28/07, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2007/February/Schwab_Welcomes_Mexicos_Support_in_China_Subsidies_Action_printer.html.)