On December 7, 2009, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano and Mexican Secretary of Finance and Public Credit Carstens signed an updated and enhanced Declaration of Principles accomplishing the goals they outlined in June to create a joint U.S.-Mexico framework to improve security along the Southwest border and facilitate the flow of legitimate travel and trade. (Press release, including link to Declaration, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1260207066445.shtm.)
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry reminds the public that Japan will act as the chair of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2010 Symposium to be held December 9-10, 2009 in Tokyo. Participants will conduct discussions on APEC free trade goals, regional economic integration, the concept of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), and strategies for prosperity in Asia-Pacific. (Press release, dated 11/27/09, available at http://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/data/20091127_01.html)
On November 6, 2009, Brazil's Foreign Trade Chamber (CAMEX) issued its preliminary list of U.S. products that could be subject to additional duties of up to 100%, as the U.S. has not complied with World Trade Organization findings in the Brazil-initiated WTO dispute over U.S. subsidies provided to its producers, users and/or exporters of upland cotton.
In a letter to Secretary of State Clinton, eight U.S. textile and apparel trade associations warned that the continuing crisis in Honduras is causing permanent damage to what once was the most economically vibrant textile and apparel trade platform in the CAFTA region. The letter is a follow-up to a September 25th letter to the Secretary which noted job losses in the U.S. and Honduras and urged the U.S. government to support a quick resolution of the crisis. (Press release, dated 10/28/09, available at http://www.ncto.org/newsroom/pr20091028.pdf.)
On October 22, 2009, a House Homeland Security Committee Subcommittee1 held a hearing entitled "Cargo Security at Land Ports of Entry: Are We Meeting the Challenge?"
Los Angeles Customs' Field Operations has issued a Public Bulletin to notify the trade community of changes for cross-filing statements at the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport (LALB) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Copies of LA Public Bulletin LA09-024 are available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.
At the September 25, 2009 meeting of the World Trade Organization's Dispute Settlement Body: (i) a panel was established to review antidumping "zeroing" measures taken by the U.S. affecting imports of Brazilian orange juice; and (ii) Brazil stated in regards to its cotton dispute with the U.S. that it intended to apply the formula provided by the arbitrators on the basis of 2009 data. Brazil said it would send a letter to the U.S. requesting 2009 data on the U.S. export credit guarantee program (GSM102) and on export prices for three commodities, namely rice, pork and poultry. (Notice, dated 09/25/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news09_e/dsb_25sep09_e.htm)
On September 17, 2009 the Senate passed its version of H.R. 3288, a bill that would make appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes.