Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The U.S. Trade Representative was due to submit by September 2, 2009, his recommendation to President Obama on whether to grant relief to union workers in the form of additional duties on imported tires from China. Although the President has 15 days to decide the issue, trade sources expect him to make a decision before the deadline. This case is of interest to other industries as it will be President Obama's first Section 421 decision, and it was brought by a union rather than domestic industry. (USW press release, dated 09/02/09, available at http://www.usw.org/media_center/news_articles?id=0382 )
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. USTR Recommendation to President on Section 421 Tire Investigation Due Sept 2nd
2. USTR Announces New Asia-Pacific Initiative on Logging & Trade
The U.S. and Indonesia convened the first Asia-Pacific Regional Dialogue to Promote Trade in Legally Harvested Forest Products on September 2, 2009. Other countries participating in the dialogue included Australia, Brunei, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, and Vietnam. (Press Release, dated 09/02/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/september/ustr-announces-new-asia-pacific-initiative-illeg)
3. ITDS Posts Information on PGA Access to ACE Portal, Application
A summary of the process and requirements for Participating Government Agencies to obtain access to the ACE Portal, including the application process for PGA employees to obtain a PGA user account in ACE, has been posted to the International Trade Data System website. A package on the ACE Portal Access application is available here. (Information, posted 08/27/09, available at http://www.itds.gov/linkhandler/itds/toolbox/library/resource_documents/pga_access.ctt/pga_access.ppt)
4. U.S., Mexico Sign Bilateral Cross-Border Telecommunications Agreement
On August 2, 2009, the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security announced that senior officials on the U.S.-Mexico High-Level Consultative Commission on Telecommunications (HLCC) have signed a bilateral telecommunications agreement to support a new cross border communications network for public safety and law enforcement organizations focused on strengthening border security. (Press release, dated 09/02/09, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/sept/128577.htm.)
5. OMB Approves TSA Final Rule on Air Cargo Screening
The Office of Management and Budget has approved a Transportation Security Administration final rule on the Certified Cargo Screening Program for the certification of shippers, manufacturers, and other entities to screen air cargo intended for transport on a passenger aircraft. This will be the primary means through which TSA will meet its mandate for 100 percent screening by August 2010 of air cargo transported on passenger aircraft, operated by an air carrier or foreign air carrier in air transportation or intrastate air transportation. (Rule, completed 08/27/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=200904&RIN=1652-AA64)
6. OMB Approves DHS Proposed Rule on Marianas Islands Investors
OMB has approved a Department of Homeland Security proposed rule that would create a new Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Transitional Nonimmigrant (E2 CNMI) Investor Classification for the duration of the transition period before the Immigration and Nationality Act is fully applicable. These temporary provisions are necessary to reduce the potential harm to the CNMI economy before these foreign workers and investors are required to convert into U.S. immigrant or nonimmigrant visa classifications. (Rule, completed 08/25/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=200904&RIN=1615-AB75)
7. BIS Sends Interim Final Rule on Encryption to OMB for Approval
OMB reports that the Bureau of Industry and Security has submitted for approval an interim final rule that would amend the Export Administration Regulations to make the treatment of encryption items more consistent with the treatment of other items subject to the EAR, as well as to simplify and clarify regulations pertaining to encryption items. This rule would also add Argentina, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Turkey to the list of countries that receive favorable treatment under License Exception ENC. In addition, the rule would clarify the license requirements under ECCNs 5A002, 5D002, and 5E002 of the Commerce Control List. (Rule, received 08/27/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=200904&RIN=0694-AE18)
8. BIS Sends Final Rule on Wassenaar Arrangement to OMB for Approval
OMB reports that BIS has submitted for approval its final rule entitled; "Wassenaar Arrangement 2008 Plenary Agreements Implementation: Categories 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Parts I and II, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the Commerce Control List, Definitions, Reports." (Rule, received 08/26/09, available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoReviewSearch)
9. FAS Expects Value of Agricultural Exports for FY 2009, FY 2010 to be Similar
In an August 2009 report, the FAS states it is projecting U.S. agricultural exports for FY 2010 to be valued at $97 billion, while such exports for FY 2009 are expected to be valued at $97.5 billion. (Notice, dated August 2009, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/cmp/outlook/2009/Aug-09/outlook-0809.asp)
10. Japan-Swiss Trade Agreement Entered Into Force September 1, 2009
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry reports that the Agreement on Free Trade and Economic Partnership between Japan and the Swiss Confederation entered into force on September 1, 2009. (Press Release, dated 09/01/09, available at http://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/data/20090901_01.html)
11. OFAC Releases Enforcement Information for August 31st
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued its civil penalties enforcement information for August 31, 2009. (Information, dated 08/31/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/civpen/penalties/09012009.pdf)
12. OFAC Makes Changes to its SDN List
The Office of Foreign Assets control has made changes to two listings on its Specially Designated Nationals list. (List, posted 09/01/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20090901.shtml)
13. DDTC Notice on Name Change from Oerlikon Space to RUAG Space
The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls states that effective immediately, Oerlikon Space Ltd. is renamed RUAG Space Ltd., as Oerlikon has been aquired. Due to the volume of authorizations requiring amendments to reflect this change, DDTC is waiving the requirement for amendments to change currently approved authorizations if a copy of this website notice is attached. See notice for further details. (Notice, posted 08/31/09, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/licensing/documents/WebNotice_RUAGSpaceLtd.doc)
14. DDTC Notice on Name Change from RUAG Aerospace to RUAG Switzerland
The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls states that effective immediately, the name of RUAG Aerospace AG has changed to RUAG Switzerland Ltd. All currently approved DSP authorizations identifying RUAG Aerospace AG will not require an amendment to reflect the name if a copy of this website notice is attached. See notice for further details. (Notice, posted 08/31/09, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/licensing/documents/WebNotice_RUAGSwitzerland.doc)
15. DDTC Notice on Name Change from RUAG Aerospace Sweden to RUAG Space
The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls states that effective immediately, the name RUAG Aerospace Sweden AB will change to RUAG Space AB. All currently approved DSP authorizations identifying RUAG Aerospace AG will not require an amendment to reflect the name if a copy of this website notice is attached. See notice for further details. (Notice, posted 08/31/09, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/licensing/documents/WebNotice_RUAGSpaceAB.doc)
16. FAS Reports Acceptance of DEIP Bids for Nonfat Dry Milk and Cheddar Cheese
The Foreign Agricultural Service reports that the Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation has accepted bids under the Dairy Export Incentive Program from exporter DairyAmerica, Inc. for nonfat dry milk to Africa and the Middle East. DairyAmerica, Inc. also has had twobids accepted for nonfat dry milk to Asia and Eurasia. The CCC has also accepted a bidfrom Interfood, Inc. for cheddar cheese to Africa and the Middle East. (Notice, dated 09/02/09, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0211-09)
17. APHIS Animal Product PPQ Manual Updated
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued an August 31, 2009 version of the Plant Protection and Quarantine Animal Product Manual. This Manual provides the background, procedures, and regulatory actions to enforce the regulations governing the import and export of animals, animal products, and animal by-products. (Manual, updated 08/31/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/apm.shtml)
18. FSIS Updates List of Canada Establishments Eligible to Export Meat and Poultry to U.S.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a August 31, 2009 version of its list of Canada establishments eligible to export meat and poultry to the U.S. (List, dated 09/02/09, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Canada_establishments.pdf)
19. FSIS Updates List of Italy Establishments Eligible to Export Meat and Poultry to U.S.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a September 1, 2009 version of its list of Italy establishments eligible to export meat and poultry to the U.S. (List, dated 09/01/09, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/PDF/Italy_establishments.pdf)
20. Updated List of Instructions and U.S. Plants for Exporting Meat and Poultry to Foreign Countries
FSIS has provided updated information for the export of U.S. meat and poultry to the following countries: