Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Journal of Commerce reports that China's announcement last month that it was eliminating rebates of value-added taxes on 553 categories of Chinese merchandise exports may have been intended to create the impression of making a serious effort to curb its exports to the U.S. Critics say that the real goal of Chinese policymakers is to discourage any punitive measures that some members of the U.S. Congress may want to impose on Chinese imports, but that China would have to be much more aggressive about revaluing its currency to satisfy them. (JoC, dated 07/02/07, www.joc.com)
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1. China May Have Removed VAT Rebate to 'Create Impression' of Curbing Its Exports
2. WTO Draft Decision to Extend Transition for Elimination of Export Subsidy Programs of 19 Countries
The World Trade Organization has issued a press release announcing that on July 13, 2007, the WTO Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures agreed to adopt the text of a draft decision of the General Council to continue procedures for the extension of the transition period for the elimination of export subsidy programs of 19 developing countries. The draft decision, if adopted by the General Council, enables the SCM Committee to continue to grant extensions of the transition period until the end of 2013, with a final phase out period of two years, which shall end no later than December 31, 2015. (WTO press release, dated 07/13/07, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news07_e/scm_july07_e.htm)
3. USDA Reviewing Treatment of Temporarily-Banned Haiti Mangoes
Shippers' NewsWire reports that a team of U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors were recently in Haiti reviewing the treatment of mangoes intended for export to the U.S., just days after a U.S.-imposed ban on mangoes from Haiti took effect. The temporary ban was imposed after fruit fly larvae were discovered on a shipment of mangoes from Haiti to Port Everglades on June 25, 2007, and shipments are expected to resume once officials are "comfortable that the treatment problems have been resolved." (SNW, dated 07/13/07, www.americanshipper.com)
4. EU and Korea Conclude Second Round of FTA Negotiations
The European Commission has issued several press releases regarding the second round of free trade agreement negotiations between the European Union and South Korea (Korea). The round of talks, which ended on July 20, 2007, began with the EU offering 100% tariff-free market access for Korean exporters if Korea makes a similar offer. The Commission notes that non-tariff barriers and behind the border issues are of particular importance in the talks. (Europa press releases, dated 07/20/07 and 07/16/07, available at http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/bilateral/countries/korea/pr200707_en.htm and http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/bilateral/countries/korea/pr160707_en.htm)
5. APHIS Seeks Comments on Draft Impact Statement on GE Organisms
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a press release announcing the availability of and requesting comments on a draft environmental impact statement that evaluates the environmental impacts of the current regulations and potential revisions to existing regulations regarding the importation, interstate movement and environmental release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms. (APHIS press release, dated 07/12/07, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2007/07/drafteis.shtml)
6. U.S., Afghanistan Discuss Trade Issues at Second TIFA Council Meeting
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a press release announcing that on July 11, 2007, during the second meeting of the U.S.-Afghanistan Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council, the two countries discussed ways to deepen the U.S.-Afghanistan economic relationship and to expand bilateral trade and investment ties. (USTR press release, dated 07/13/07, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2007/July/US_Afghanistan_Hold_TIFA_Council_Meeting.html)
7. FDA Posts Various Notices to its Web Site
The Food and Drug Administration has posted the following notices to its Web site:
Q&A, data on benzene in soft drinks, other beverages. FDA has posted an updated version of its question and answer document on the occurrence of benzene in soft drinks and other beverages. FDA has also posted updated data (through May 16, 2007) on benzene in soft drinks and other beverages. (Q&A, updated 07/12/07, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/benzqa.html. Data, updated 07/12/07, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/benzdata.html)
Draft guidance for industry on evidence-based review system for scientific evaluation of health claims. FDA has issued a draft guidance for industry entitled "Evidence-Based Review System for the Scientific Evaluation of Health Claims." FDA states that this guidance is being distributed for comment purposes only. (Draft guidance, dated July 2007, available at Procedures document, dated June 2007, available at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/dms/hclmgui5.html)
FDA warns consumers not to eat certain hot dog chili sauce. FDA is warning consumers not to eat 10 ounce cans of Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 3030000101), Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 3030099533), and Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce (UPC 1111083942) with "best by" dates from April 30, 2009 through May 22, 2009 due to possible botulism contamination, which can be fatal. All of the products are manufactured by the Castleberry Food Company in Augusta, Georgia. (FDA warning, dated 07/18/07, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01669.html)
Update on tainted Veggie Booty snack food. FDA has issued a news release announcing that it has confirmed that a strain of Salmonella Wandsworth bacteria found in Veggie Booty snack food is responsible for the disease outbreak that occurred between March and June 2007. FDA continues to advise consumers not to eat any Veggie Booty. FDA also advises consumers not to eat Super Veggie Tings Crunchy Corn Sticks as this product also may be contaminated. (News release, dated 07/13/07, available at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01666.html)