The Office of Textiles and Apparel reports that effective June 1, 2009, China's Value Added Tax (VAT) export rebate (duty drawback rate) for most footwear, headgear, and travel goods increased two percentage points to 15 percent. Certain polymers, silk products, cotton waste, and umbrella goods are also affected by China's most recent decree. (Notice, dated 06/09/09, available at http://web.ita.doc.gov/otexa/hotiss.nsf/7bfa72c94f543da685256e5b00498a4d/68f0c4d32b725d10852575d0004841c8?OpenDocument)

The World Customs Organization will hold a "Coordinated Border Management" forum on June 29-30, 2009 in Brussels, Belgium. The inter-agency and business forum will focus on the potential for establishing an effective and efficient coordinated border management system. (Notice, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/event.htm)

Mexico's National Cargo Transportation Association (Canacar) announced on June 1, that it is suing the U.S. for $6 billion because of its refusal to allow Mexican haulers onto its roads as required under the North American Free Trade Agreement. About 4,500 Mexican trucking companies are involved in the lawsuit, according to Canacar. (Notice, available at http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=79026)

Note that Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions does not appear in today's issue of International Trade Today. Publication of this feature will resume as new information becomes available.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a technical amendment to an interim final rule in order to change the effective date for replacement of the current Guam Visa Waiver Program with a new Guam-Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands Visa Waiver Program and the establishment of six ports of entry in the CNMI to November 28, 2009 (from June 1, 2009). (D/N USCBP-2009-0001; CBP Dec. No. 09-14, FR Pub 05/28/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-12345.pdf)

The U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and the Canadian Public Safety Minister issued a joint statement during their meeting at the U.S.-Canada border. The joint statement addresses the Canada-U.S. Framework for the Movement of Goods and People Across the Border During and Following an Emergency. (DHS press release, including link to framework, dated 05/27/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1243434829897.shtm.)

On May 27, 2009, the House Energy and Commerce Committee posted a discussion draft of comprehensive food safety legislation, called the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009. According to a Committee press release, a hearing on the discussion draft will be held on June 3, 2009.

The President, after reviewing the findings and recommendations of a Presidential Study Directive on how the White House should be organized to deal with the critical issues of homeland security and counterterrorism, announced a new approach which will strengthen U.S. security and the safety of its citizens. (White House statement, dated 05/26/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Statement-by-the-President-on-the-White-House-Organization-for-Homeland-Security-and-Counterterrorism/.)

On May 20, the Congressional International Anti-Piracy Caucus unveiled its 2009 International Piracy Watch List, announcing it will closely monitor copyright piracy in Canada, China, Mexico, Russia, and Spain. According to the caucus, these countries stand out because of the scope and depth of their piracy problems, which cost the U.S. copyright industries and the millions of Americans who work in these companies more than $25 billion each year. (Caucus press release, dated 05/20/09, available at http://schiff.house.gov/antipiracycaucus/pdf/2009pressrelease.pdf and Caucus 2009 Country Watch List available at http://schiff.house.gov/antipiracycaucus/pdf/IAPC_2009_Watch_List.pdf)

On May 20, 2009, the Federal Maritime Commission was scheduled to begin posting on its website new statistics detailing the number and types of filings made to the Commission's automated Service Contract Filing System, used by common carriers to confidentially file service contracts, service arrangements, and associated amendments. Beginning with January 2008 data, the newly available filing statistics will include monthly data by the type of filing, i.e., service contract or Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) Service Arrangement (NSA), and by category, i.e., original contract or amendment. (Notice, dated 05/20/09, available at http://www.fmc.gov/speeches/newsrelease.asp?SPEECH_ID=278)