Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. USTR, Chinese Commerce Minister Discuss U.S.-China Trade Relationship

2. USTR, Canadian Trade Minister Discuss COOL, Etc.

USTR Kirk met with Canadian Trade Minister Day and engaged in a discussion of specific bilateral issues including softwood lumber, intellectual property rights, country-of-origin labeling (COOL), and a U.S. tax credit designed to encourage the use of alternative fuels. (Notice, dated 04/27/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2009/April/asset_upload_file624_15598.pdf)

3. EU Adopts Negotiating Mandate for FTA With Canada

On April 27, 2009, European Union Member States adopted a negotiating mandate for a new economic and free trade agreement between the EU and Canada. This agreement would go beyond current WTO commitments and reinforce the already strong bilateral trade and investment relationship. Negotiations, which will be led by the European Commission, are expected to be launched at the EU-Canada Summit on May 6, 2009. (Notice, dated 04/27/09, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/648&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

4. Canada Issues 2007 Annual Report on Export/Import Permit Operations

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has issued its Annual Report on operations under the Export and Import Permits Act for the year 2007. (Report, available at http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/report-rapports/index.aspx?lang=eng)

5. Canada Initiates AD Investigation of Certain Mattress Innerspring Units from China

The Canada Border Services Agency initiated an investigation on April 27, 2009, under the Special Import Measures Act, on alleged injurious dumping of certain mattress innerspring units originating in or exported from China. The investigation follows a complaint filed by Globe Spring & Cushion Company Ltd. of Toronto. (Notice, dated 04/27/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/i-e/ad1383/ad1383-i09-ni-eng.html)

6. U.S.-Pakistan TIFA Meeting Joint Statement

Senior representatives of the governments of the U.S. and Pakistan recently met for the third meeting of the U.S.-Pakistan Trade and Investment Council, the implementing body of the U.S.-Pakistan Trade and Investment Agreement (TIFA). Discussions included Pakistan's preparations for implementing Afghanistan and Pakistan Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZ). (Notice, dated 04/27/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2009/April/asset_upload_file784_15596.pdf)

7. HHS Posts Information on Swine Flu

The Department of Health and Human Services has posted information on the swine flu. (Notice, available at http://www.hhs.gov/)

8. FSIS Updates Export Requirements (Includes Updates on Pork), Plant Lists, Eligible Foreign Establishments

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted updated export requirements for the following countries Russia, China, Japan (meat), and Japan (egg products). Note that the requirements for Russia and China list states where pork and pork products cannot be from or transhipped through and remain eligible for importation. FSIS has also updated lists of U.S. plants approved to exporttoRussia (poultry), Mexico (meat), and Russia (pork). In addition, FSIS updated its list of eligible foreign establishments in Canada andMexico certified to export meat, poultry and egg products to the U.S.

9. USTR Federal Register Notice on Delay in Remaining Changes to EU Beef Hormone Sanctions

The U.S. Trade Representative has published in the Federal Register official notice of its additional delay until May 9, 2009 (from April 23, 2009), of the remaining modifications to the list of European Union products and countries subject to 100% duties in connection with World Trade Organization dispute settlement rulings in the EU - Beef Hormones dispute. (D/N USTR-2008-0036, FR Pub 04/28/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-9628.pdf)

10. Korean Executive to Serve Prison Time in U.S. for LCD Price Fixing

The Justice Department reports that a high-level Korean executive from LG Display Co. Ltd. (LG) has agreed to plead guilty and serve a year in jail in the U.S. for participating in a global conspiracy to fix prices in the sale of Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display (TFT-LCD) panels. (Notice, dated 04/27/09, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/April/09-at-396.html)

11. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recall

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published notice of the following voluntary recall:

(Notice, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelapr09.html)

12. Revised FDA Import Alerts

The Food and Drug Administration has posted revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:

Seafood Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella

Surgeon's and/or Patient Examination Gloves

13. Agency Seeks Comments on Information Collections

Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):

(Information collection notices are hyperlinked to agency name.)