The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration are alerting shippers and carriers to the importance of transporting lithium batteries safely. PHMSA and FAA are concerned that many persons who ship lithium batteries do not recognize the hazards posed by these batteries during transportation. (D/N PHMSA-2009-0310; Notice No. 09-05, FR Pub 10/07/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24184.pdf)

The DOT's Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that trade using surface transportation between the U.S. and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners Canada and Mexico was 28 percent lower in July 2009 than in July 2008, dropping to $51.5 billion in the seventh consecutive month with a year-to-year decline of greater than 27 percent. (Press release, dated 09/30/09, available at http://www.bts.gov/press_releases/2009/bts046_09/html/bts046_09.html)

It’s a “little naive” to think Twitter and other social technologies can spread freedom by themselves, one of the founders of the Global Network Initiative said on Friday. Speaking to the first meeting of the Internet Governance Forum-USA, one of several regional forums to prepare for the fourth Internet Governance Forum in Egypt next month, Open Society Institute fellow Rebecca MacKinnon said China in particular is developing a model for how repressive regimes can “survive because of the Internet.” A panel discussion about Web 2.0’s promise for free expression turned into an exploration of its dark side -- partly enabled by what Bob Boorstin, Google director of corporate and policy communications, called “quasi-governmental” telecom companies.

At the September 25, 2009 meeting of the World Trade Organization's Dispute Settlement Body: (i) a panel was established to review antidumping "zeroing" measures taken by the U.S. affecting imports of Brazilian orange juice; and (ii) Brazil stated in regards to its cotton dispute with the U.S. that it intended to apply the formula provided by the arbitrators on the basis of 2009 data. Brazil said it would send a letter to the U.S. requesting 2009 data on the U.S. export credit guarantee program (GSM102) and on export prices for three commodities, namely rice, pork and poultry. (Notice, dated 09/25/09, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news09_e/dsb_25sep09_e.htm)

A dozen domestic textile associations and unions have joined to comment on the Department of Homeland Security's August 17, 2009 interim rule that amended DHS acquisition regulations for products containing textiles sourced outside the U.S., as required by the "Buy American" provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The letter argues that DHS did not go far enough to implement the new Buy American provision. (Letter, dated 09/15/09, available at http://www.ncto.org/newsroom/kissellcomments090809.pdf )

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a final rule, effective September 25, 2009, which makes technical corrections to provisions in 19 CFR Part 148 that set forth personal duty exemption amounts, in order to conform the regulations to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). (CBP final rule, CBP Dec. 09-37, FR Pub 09/25/09. available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-23158.pdf.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a question & answer document on the imposition of Section 421 duties on imports of certain tires for passenger vehicles and light trucks that are produced in China. (See ITT's Online Archives or 09/17/09 news, 09091705, for BP summary of the FR notice) (Q&A document, available at http://www.ustr.gov/sites/default/files/Information%20on%20China%20Tires%20Safeguard.pdf)

During a recent speech on financial rescue and reform, the President expressed his administration's commitment to pursuing expanded trade and new trade agreements. The President also noted that every time the G20 and the G8 have met, the U.S. has reaffirmed the need to fight against protectionism. According to the President, his recent action against tires from China was not meant to be protectionist, but is part of maintaining an open and free trading system. (Remarks, dated 09/14/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-on-Financial-Rescue-and-Reform-at-Federal-Hall/)

On August 25, 2009, the Consumer Product Safety Commission held a public hearing to discuss its fiscal year 2011 agenda and priorities as well as the agency's strategic plan.

The Census Bureau reports that U.S. exports increased by 2.2 percent to $127.6 billion since June 2009, and imports increased 4.7 percent to $159.6 billion. In commenting on the report, Commerce Secretary Locke stated, "July is the third consecutive month that exports of goods and services have increased." (Census fact sheet, dated 09/10/09, available at http://www.commerce.gov/s/groups/public/@doc/@os/@opa/documents/content/prod01_008400.pdf and Commerce press release, dated 09/10/09, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_008401 and