Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Wall Street Journal reports that Washington wants to start a dialogue with Beijing to avert a damaging trade war over China's cheap steel exports. The article states that China is the world's biggest producer and consumer of steel, and is likely to make a record 350 million tons of steel this year, despite government efforts to curb overcapacity and oversupply. The article adds that China has been exporting its surplus, forcing down prices in Japan, South Korea, and the U.S. (WSJ, 12/23/05, www.wsj.com )
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. U.S. Hopes to Avert Steel-Import Battle with China
2. HK Shipping Company to Pay $10.5 Million for Pollution by One Vessel
According to the State Department's Washington File, the Justice Department has announced that MSC Ship Management, a Hong Kong-based shipping company, has agreed to plead guilty to charges of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, destruction of evidence and environmental pollution and will pay $10.5 million in penalties. According to the article, this is the largest fine in which a single vessel has been charged with deliberate pollution and the largest criminal fine paid by a defendant in an environmental case in Massachusetts history. (Washington File, dated 12/19/05, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/eap/Archive/2005/Dec/22-250870.html.)
3. APHIS Final Rule Allows Importation of Certain Fragrant Pears from China
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a final rule, effective January 23, 2006, which amends 7 CFR Part 319 in order to allow the importation of fragrant pears from China under certain conditions. Among other things, the pears must be grown in the Korla region of Xinjiang Province. (D/N 02-049-2, FR Pub 12/23/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-24423.pdf)
4. TSA Aviation Security Committee Meeting
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a notice announcing that its Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) will hold an open meeting on January 11, 2006 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT in Arlington, Virginia. (D/N TSA-05-24401, FR Pub 12/23/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-24401.pdf.)
5. TSA Aviation Security Committee Renewed
TSA has issued a notice announcing that its Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) was renewed on November 28, 2005, based on the determination of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). According to DHS, the renewal of the ASAC is necessary and in the public interest concerning the performance of TSA duties. (D/N TSA-05-24400, FR Pub 12/23/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-24400.pdf.)