Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Journal of Commerce Online reports that the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) is urging ocean carriers and terminal operators to meet to discuss service issues, as well as charges and delays for accessorial services such as Customs exams for containers. (JoC Online, dated 09/21/04, www.joc.com)
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
1. NCBFAA Wants Talks on Service, Charges
2. U.S. Files WTO Case Against EU Over Government Subsidies to Airbus
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced that the U.S. has filed a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement case against the EU regarding billions of dollars of subsidies provided to Airbus by European governments. (USTR press release, dated 10/06/04, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2004/October/U.S._Files_WTO_Case_Against_EU_Over_Unfair_Airbus_Subsidies.html)
3. Presidential Determination Rescinds Iraq's Designation as a Sponsor of Terrorism
On September 24, 2004, the President issued a determination making the certifications required to rescind Iraq's designation as a Sponsor of Terrorism. Among other things, this determination certified that there has been a fundamental change in leadership and policies of the Government of Iraq and Iraq's government is not supporting acts of international terrorism. (Presidential Determination No. 2004-52, FR Pub 09/30/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-22102.pdf)
4. Afghanistan and Dominican Republic Join the WCO
The World Customs Organization (WCO) has announced that Afghanistan and the Dominican Republic have deposited with the Belgian Government their instruments of accession to the Convention establishing a Customs Cooperation Council. According to the WCO, this brings the total number of WCO members to 164. (WCO Announcement, avail available at http://www.wcoomd.org/ie/En/164_MembersE.htm)
5. CRA Obtains Injunction for Two Buildings Due to Strike Activities
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) issued a press release announcing that it has obtained an injunction that prevents picketers at two buildings in St. John's from using force, threats, intimidation, or coercion to interfere with managers, employees, or members of the public entering or exiting the buildings. The injunction also contains other restrictions on picketers' activities. According to the CRA, certain CRA employees represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) have been in a legal strike position since September 8, 2004. (CRA Press Release, 10/05/04, available at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/newsroom/releases/2004/oct/1005stjohns-e.html)
6. Defense Department Hosts Exercise on WMD Maritime Interdiction
The Washington File reports that on September 27-October 1, 2004, the Department of Defense (DoD) hosted an exercise in which operational experts from 17 nations took part in the first Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) maritime game aimed at developing the operational capability of PSI participants to interdict maritime shipments of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), their delivery systems, and related materials. (Washington File Pub 10/03/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=October&x=200410031205431_notrelluftrebor0.6233789&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)