Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Secretary of the Department of Treasury has issued a statement on his agency's latest Foreign Exchange Report which did not designate any major U.S. trading partner as manipulating its currency to gain an unfair competitive advantage, etc., noting that the initial steps by China to increase exchange rate flexibility played an important part in this decision. The Secretary adds that this finding is also contingent on further progress to incorporate flexibility reflecting underlying market forces in China's RMB exchange rate by the time of the next Foreign Exchange Report. (Treasury statement, dated 11/28/05, available at http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/js3024.htm )
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
If your job depends on informed compliance, you need International Trade Today. Delivered every business day and available any time online, only International Trade Today helps you stay current on the increasingly complex international trade regulatory environment.
1. Treasury Report Finds No Major Trading Partner Manipulates its Currency
2. European Parliament and EC Reach Agreement on Compulsory Licensing for Export of Patented Medicine to Countries in Need
A press release from the European Commission (EC) states that the European Parliament has reached agreement with the EC on its proposal for a regulation allowing companies to produce copies of patented medicines under license for export to developing countries. The press release states this agreement paves the way for the Council to adopt the regulation in the very near future. (EUROPA European Commission press release, dated 12/01/05, available at http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/1523&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en )
3. U.S. and India Scheduled to Hold Dialogue on Boosting High-Tech Trade
The Washington File reports that top U.S. and Indian government officials and high-technology industry leaders were scheduled to discuss strategies aimed at increasing bilateral trade in defense technology, information technology, biotechnology, and nanotechnology on November 30 - December 1, 2005. (Washington File Pub, dated 11/22/05, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/sa/Archive/2005/Nov/28-823721.html)
4. Technical Correction to APHIS Final Rule on Potato Brown Rot
The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a technical correction to its October 24, 2005 final rule on a certification program for foreign production sites in countries where Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 (potato brown rot) is known to occur that wish to export articles of Pelargoniumspp. (e.g. geraniums) and/or Solanum spp. (e.g. eggplant, huckleberry) to the U.S. (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/31/05 news, 05103130 for BP summary of final rule.)(APHIS correction, D/N 03-019-4, FR Pub 12/01/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-23531.pdf )
5. Technical Amendment to FDA Regulations for Address of ASTM
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a final rule amending its regulations at 21 CFR Chapter I to reflect a change in the address for the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM). According to FDA, its new address is 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, Philadelphia, PA 19428-2959. (FDA final rule, FR Pub 12/01/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-23521.pdf )
6. USTR Seeks Comments on Interim Environmental Review of Thailand FTA
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice on behalf of the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) seeking comment on the interim environmental review of the proposed U.S.-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is available at www.ustr.gov/Trade_Sectors/Environment/Environmental_Reviews/Section_Index.html. Comments are requested by January 6, 2006. (FR Pub 11/23/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-23181.pdf)
7. President Issues EO Blocking Property of Additional Persons Undermining Democracy in Zimbabwe
On November 22, 2005, the President issued Executive Order (EO) 13391 in order to block the property of additional persons who are undermining democratic processes or institutions in Zimbabwe. (FR Pub 11/25/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/30nov20051200/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-23412.pdf)