Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. White House Fact Sheet on Recent U.S.-India Meetings

The White House has posted a fact sheet on the outcomes of the recent U.S.-India meetings. According to the fact sheet, in total six Memoranda-of-understandings were signed, two memoranda-of-interest as well as several other initiatives and agreements. The fact sheet also highlights four papers covering global security and counter-terrorism, education and development, health cooperation, economic trade and agriculture, and green partnerships. (Fact sheet, dated 11/24/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/fact-sheets-us-indian-cooperation.)

2. U.S. and India Sign MOI to Promote Foreign Investment

The ITA has announced that the U.S. and India signed a memorandum of intent to collaborate on the promotion of investment in both countries. The MOI commits the U.S. and Indian governments to undertake relevant activities through their respective Invest in America and Invest India programs. (Press release, dated 11/23/09, available at http://www.trade.gov/press/press_releases/2009/india_112309.asp)

3. CPSC Announces Voluntary Recall of 2.1 Million Stork Craft Cribs

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc., of British Columbia, Canada, has announced the voluntary recall of more than 2.1 million Stork Craft drop-side cribs, including about 147,000 Stork Craft drop-side cribs with the Fisher-Price logo. The recall involves approximately 1,213,000 units distributed in the U.S. and 968,000 units distributed in Canada. The recall is due to infant entrapment and suffocation risks. (Notice, dated 11/23/09, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10046.html)

4. CPSC Finds Strong Association Between Chinese Drywall, Hydrogen Sulfide, and Corrosion

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a press release announcing that its interagency investigation of Chinese drywall has concluded that there is a strong association between homes with certain Chinese drywall and the levels of hydrogen sulfide in those homes and corrosion of metals in those homes. By identifying this association, the Interagency Drywall Task Force can now move forward to determine the effectiveness of remediation methods, etc. (Notice, dated 11/23/09, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/info/drywall/nov2009statement.pdf)

5. APHIS Requests Comments on International Sanitary and Phytosanitary Activities

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is informing the public of the international standard-setting activities of the World Organization for Animal Health, the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention, and the North American Plant Protection Organization. Comments on the standards to be considered may be submitted. (D/N APHIS-2009-0071, FR Pub 11/24/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-28143.pdf)

6. BIS Announces Emerging Technology and Research Committee Meeting

The Bureau of Industry and Security is announcing that the Emerging Technology and Research Advisory Committee (ETRAC) will hold a partially open meeting on December 9, 2009, in Washington, D.C. The Committee provides advice on emerging technology and research activities, including those related to deemed exports. (FR Pub 11/24/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-28198.pdf)

7. BIS Announces Meeting of Materials Committee

BIS is announcing an open meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC) on December 10, 2009, in Washington, D.C. The Committee provides advice on technical questions that affect the level of export controls applicable to advanced materials and related technology. (FR Pub 11/24/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-28191.pdf)

8. State Dept Advisory Committee on Int'l Law Meeting on Dec 11, 2009

The State Department has issued a notice announcing a December 11, 2009 meeting of its Advisory Committee on International Law in Washington, DC. It is anticipated that the agenda of the meeting will cover a range of current international legal topics, including treaty scope and enforcement issues, the relationship between human rights treaties and humanitarian law; issues relating to the International Criminal Court; etc. (Press release, dated 11/24/09, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/nov/132356.htm.

9. State Announces Meeting of Millennium Challenge Corporation Board

The State Department is announcing that the Board of Director of the Millennium Challenge Corporation will hold a closed meeting on December 9, 2009 in Washington, D.C. to consider the selection of countries that will be eligible for FY 2010 Millennium Challenge Account assistance. (FR Pub 11/24/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-28268.pdf)

10. 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 Processed Foods for Pesticides.

11. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

Costa Rica Wine, Beer and Liquor Sector Report: Wine

Thailand Weekly Rice Price Update: Grain and Feed

France High Biotech Council - Defining Biotech-Free Production: Biotechnology

Costa Rica FAIRS Country Report: Annual 2009

Japan Potato Products Annual: New uses for Frozen Potato Dough boost U.S. sales to Japan

12. CBSA Preliminary Affirmative AD/CV Determinations for OCTG from China

On November 23, 2009, Canada Border Services Agency made preliminary determinations of dumping and subsidizing regarding certain oil country tubular goods from China. (Notice, dated 11/23/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/i-e/ad1385/ad1385-i09-np-eng.html)