Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. State Department Official Warns EU About Lifting Arms Embargo on China

2. Lane and Pearson Sworn In for Full Terms as ITC Commissioners

The International Trade Commission (ITC) has issued two press releases announcing that on December 6, 2004, Charlotte R. Lane and Daniel R. Pearson were each sworn in for a full term as an ITC Commissioner. Lane and Pearson, each already serving under a recess appointment, will continue serving as Commissioners until December 16, 2009 and June 16, 2011, respectively. (ITC press releases 04-122 and 04-123, dated 12/07/04, available at http://www.usitc.gov/ext_relations/news_release/2004/er1207bb1.htm and http://www.usitc.gov/ext_relations/news_release/2004/er1207bb2.htm)

3. Supreme Court to Hear Arguments on Beef Research & Promotion Program

The USA-ITA has issued a Textile Development Memo stating that on December 8, 2004, the Supreme Court was scheduled to hear oral arguments on whether the mandatory Beef Research and Promotion Program is constitutional, as the appellate court struck down the program as a violation of free speech because it compels businesses to support beef advertising and research. According to USA-ITA, a ruling by the Supreme Court, which could also determine the fate of the cotton program, is not expected until next spring. (TDM, dated 12/07/04, www.usaita.com)

4. BIS Corrects its Denial of Export Privileges for 2 Indian Entities

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a notice which corrects certain errors in its December 1, 2004 notice announcing the denial of export privileges for (1) Technology Options (India) Pvt. Ltd., and (2) Shivram Rao in connection with charges that they conspired to export a thermal mechanical fatigue test system and a universal testing machine without the required export licenses. BIS has determined to deny the export privileges of these two entities for a period of 15 years. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/03/04 news, 04120399 4, for BP summary of the December 1, 2004 notice, which incorrectly stated that the denial period was 10 years, rather than 15.) (FR Pub 12/09/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-27059.pdf)

5. ITA Announces NAFTA Panel Decision on Softwood Lumber from Canada

The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued a notice announcing that on December 1, 2004, a binational NAFTA panel issued its decision in the review of the final results of the affirmative countervailing (CV) duty re-determination on remand made by the ITA with respect to certain softwood lumber products from Canada. The binational NAFTA panel affirmed in part and remanded in part the re-determination of the ITA. The ITA states that it will return the determination on remand no later than January 24, 2005. (FR Pub 12/07/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/E4-3512.pdf)

6. Foreign-Trade Zones Board Actions

The Foreign-Trade Zones Board (FTZB) has issued the following notices of recent FTZB actions:

FTZB notices (FR Pub 12/08/04 available under 'Foreign-Trade Zones Board' at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a041208c.html )