Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) voiced concern with delay in the screening of all in-bound cargo containers in a June 27 Op-Ed in TheNew York Times. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently confirmed it would delay the effective date for 100-percent scanning of incoming maritime cargo containers for at least two years beyond the original 2012 deadline. DHS didn't respond to a request for comment on the Op-Ed.
The Senate on June 26 passed the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, (S-3187), which reauthorizes for five years Food and Drug Administration (FDA) user fees for FDA drug review processes. The legislation would direct the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to work with CBP to develop "regulations to establish good importer practices that specify the measures an importer shall take to ensure imported drugs are in compliance with the requirements of this Act." The legislation, which was approved by the Senate by a vote of 92 to 4, now goes to President Obama for his signature.
Public comments on products for inclusion in the miscellaneous tariff bill (MTB) were due June 22. The comments will eventually be publicly available and a House Ways and Means Committee spokeswoman said the committee "will get them up as soon as we can."
Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, introduced legislation that he said would stop the flow of more than a million counterfeit microchips into the U.S., primarily made in China, that "pose a risk to our military and sensitive computer networks." McCaul heads the House Homeland Security Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee.
A group of U.S. corporations, trade associations and small businesses actively seeking to increase U.S. exports to Russia released a letter with more than 100 signatures urging U.S. senators to co-sponsor legislation (S-3285) to enact Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with Russia. The group is called the Coalition for U.S.-Russia Trade (www.usrussiatrade.org). Russia joining the World Trade Organization "represents a strong deal that includes transparency and accountability commitments that will encourage an improved environment for business," said Randi Levinas, executive director of the coalition and executive vice president of the U.S.-Russia Business Council (www.usrbc.org). "The Russia PNTR bill introduced last week supports U.S. businesses and workers seeking to tap into export and sales opportunities in Russia's large and growing market. ... Without PNTR in hand when Russia joins the WTO, our companies risk losing out not only on lucrative contracts but also on opportunities to share good corporate governance rules and best business practices."
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) introduced legislation (S-3326) June 22 they said would improve U.S. trade with sub-Saharan Africa and Central America. The bill would extend a key provision of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), extending a Third-Country Fabric (TCF) provision that allows African countries to use third-country fabric and then export that into the U.S. The Republic of South Sudan would also be added to the list of 48 sub-Saharan nations eligible to qualify for duty-free access to the U.S. market for certain products, including apparel, footwear and textiles.
The expansion of the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement to include Mexico and Canada "increases the need for enhanced consultation and transparency with Members of Congress and their staff," said Rep. Mike Michaud (D-Me.), chairman of the House Trade Working Group. He said the Obama Administration should slow down negotiations to "engage in meaningful, substantive meetings with all interested Members of Congress, and to make TPP a new model for U.S. trade policy." (See ITT's Online Archives 12061837.)
The economic benefits of Russia joining the World Trade Organization and getting Permanent Normal Trade Relations "are clear," said House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) in opening remarks prepared for a hearing June 20. He said they include "greater opportunities for U.S. employers, farmers, and ranchers to sell American goods and services to Russia. We would give up nothing -- not a single U.S. tariff -- but we would obtain a powerful new enforcement tool and important rights, while bringing our two countries closer on multiple fronts."
A group of lawmakers said June 18 they reached a deal on the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, (S-3187), which reauthorizes for five years Food and Drug Administration (FDA) user fees for FDA drug review processes. The legislation would direct the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to work with CBP to develop "regulations to establish good importer practices that specify the measures an importer shall take to ensure imported drugs are in compliance with the requirements of this Act."
The following are the trade-related hearings scheduled from June 18-22: