USTR Kirk recently commented on President Obama's intent to enter into negotiations of a regional, Asia-Pacific trade agreement, known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. Kirk said that the U.S. will have to confront big challenges, from rationalizing rules of origin amongst current FTA partners to addressing agricultural, developmental, and labor challenges elsewhere, to adding additional countries in ways that ensure that the countries maintain a comprehensive, high standard agreement. (Press release, dated 12/15/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/december/ustr-ron-kirk-remarks-trans-pacific-partnership-n)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a notice announcing that it will be holding its 2010 Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism supply chain security seminar on March 17-19, 2010 in Anaheim, California.
Customs officials from the U.S., Mexico, and Canada discussed various issues regarding the "state of the border" at U.S. Customs and Border Protection's 2009 Trade Symposium.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a news release and fact sheet outlining its achievements in fiscal year 2009 in securing borders and facilitating trade and travel.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano and Canada Public Safety Minister Van Loan recent met for the second of their formal biannual meetings, where they discussed initiatives between the U.S. and Canada. The initiatives build on their shared commitment to tackle common threats like terrorism and organized crime while ensuring the lawful flow of travel and trade across the border.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a CSMS message stating that members of its Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program will not be able to use their old FAST cards in passenger lanes effective January 5, 2010.
CBP has announced that the 2010 C-TPAT Supply Chain Security Training Seminar will be held March 17 through March 19, 2010 in Anaheim, California. The Seminar is open to all C-TPAT certified partners, however space will be limited. Registration will open on January 6, 2010. (Notice, dated 11/17/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/cargo_security/ctpat/2010_ctpat_training.xml)
During the November 4, 2009 Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Related Homeland Security Functions (COAC) meeting, CBP and Transportation Security Administration officials and the COAC Air Cargo Security Subcommittee discussed developments regarding air cargo security.
The Transportation Security Administration is requesting comments on the renewal of its information collection regarding the Certified Cargo Screening Program, which, effective November 16, 2009, moved from the pilot stage to a permanent program1 that allows shippers to screen their cargo before it is tendered to aircraft operators for transport on passenger aircraft.
At the American Conference Institute's recent conference on Import Compliance and Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials gave a presentation entitled "Single Issue Audits and Focused Assessments: How Audit Programs are Evolving and What You Need to Know to Prepare."