Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The House Committee on Ways and Means has issued a press release stating that it informally approved draft legislation to implement the U.S.-Australia free trade agreement (FTA). According to the press release, no amendments were offered to the draft legislation. (Press Release dated 06/23/04, available at http://waysandmeans.house.gov/News.asp?FormMode=print&ID=230)
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1. House Ways and Means Committee Informally Approves Draft Australia FTA Legislation Without Amendment
2. WTO Dispute Settlement Body Considers Panel Requests from U.S., Canada
The World Trade Organization's (WTO's) Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) has issued a press release announcing that on June 22, 2004 it considered for the first time the following two requests for panels: (1) a request by the U.S. for a dispute settlement panel to examine Mexican tax measures on soft drinks and other beverages, and (2) a request by Canada for a dispute settlement panel to examine the International Trade Commission's antidumping and countervailing injury determinations with respect to hard red spring wheat from Canada. According to the WTO, the two requests were blocked by the respondents. (WTO Press Release 06/25/04, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news04_e/dsb_22june04_e.htm)
3. U.S. and Mexico Resolve a Number of Telecommunications Issues
According to the State Department's Washington File, the U.S. and Mexico have resolved a number of telecommunications issues in the latest round of talks of the U.S.-Mexico High Level Consultative Commission on Telecommunications. Among the issues resolved was a substantial AM radio interference problem that had adversely affected millions of Americans. The U.S. and Mexico also adopted a new emergency action plan to eliminate radio interference in public-safety communications systems in the border area. (Washington File Pub 06/26/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=June&x=20040626130116ajesrom0.4977642&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)
4. DoD Final Rule Amends DFARS Regarding 10 New EU Countries
The Department of Defense (DoD) has issued a final rule, effective June 25, 2004, which amends the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS, 48 CFR Part 252) to add ten new European Union (EU) member states to the list of designated countries whose products DoD may acquire under the Trade Agreements Act, in accordance with a determination of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). (FR Pub 06/25/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-14337.pdf)
5. President Continues Jackson-Vanik Waivers for Vietnam, Belarus, & Turkmenistan
On June 3, 2004, President Bush determined pursuant to 19 USC 2432(d)(1) that the Jackson-Vanik waivers applicable to Vietnam, Belarus, and Turkmenistan will continue for another 12-month period. (FR Pub 06/09/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-13245.pdf (Vietnam, Presidential Determination 2004-34); http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-13244.pdf (Belarus, Presidential Determination 2004-33); and http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-13243.pdf (Turkmenistan, Presidential Determination 2004-32).)