Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Journal of Commerce reports that the U.S. decision to withdraw its obligations in the online gambling case brought against the U.S. by Antigua and Barbuda in a World Trade Organization dispute panel could imperil U.S. exports. The Journal of Commerce further states that the ruling of the WTO dispute panel opened the door for compensation claims against the U.S., not only by Antigua but by any WTO member, which could potentially run into the billions of dollars in trade concessions imposed on U.S. goods. (JoC, 05/23/07, available at www.joc.com.)
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1. U.S. Decision to Withdraw WTO Gambling Obligations May Hurt Exports
2. Shippers Want Mutual Recognition of International 'Trusted Trader' Programs
American Shipper reports that shippers want customs administrations to mutually recognize each other's "trusted trader" programs so that a company accredited in one country as having adequate safeguards would receive the benefit of faster customs clearance in other countries. According to one prominent trade source, the hope is that the World Customs Organization's Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade (SAFE Framework) would replace the U.S. C-TPAT and other national programs with one global network. (American Shipper, March 2007, www.americanshipper.com)
3. U.S.-China Econ/Security Commission Hearing on China's Energy Use
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission will hold an open public hearing June 14-15, 2007 in Washington, DC on China's energy consumption and opportunities for U.S.-China cooperation to address the effects of China's energy use. The Commission is mandated by Congress to investigate, evaluate and report to Congress annually on the national security implications and impact of the bilateral trade and economic relationship between the U.S. and China. (FR Pub 05/23/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-9890.pdf)
4. BIS Temporarily Denies Certain Export Privileges for Activities Involving Exports Without License
The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued an Order temporarily denying export privileges for 180 days from May 16, 2007 against Bill Chen aka Yueqiang Chen, of Data Physics China, RM, for activities involving unlicensed exports to end-users in China knowing that such items would be used in the design, development, production, and use of missiles. (FR Pub 05/22/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-2525.pdf)
5. Hong Kong Truckers Threaten Strike if Mainland Truckers Allowed Into HK
American Shipper reports that China and Hong Kong officials seek to reduce the cost of moving goods by land from South China to Hong Kong by allowing mainland truckers to deliver directly to Hong Kong ports, which led to a threatened strike by Hong Kong truckers, who fear they wouldn't be able to compete with the lower wages sought by mainland truckers. (American Shipper Pub June 2007, www.americanshipper.com)
6. CITES Issues Proposed Amendments, Draft Resolutions, Etc. for Meeting
The Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a notice announcing the tentative U.S. negotiating positions on amendments to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendices (species proposals), draft resolutions and decisions, and certain agenda items for consideration at the 14th regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES in the Netherlands on June 3-15, 2007. (FR Pub 06/01/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-2714.pdf)