Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a notice announcing its decision not to initiate an investigation under section 302 of the Trade Act of 1974 with respect to a petition it received from the Bipartisan China Currency Action Coalition addressing China's currency valuation policies because initiation of an investigation would not be effective in addressing the issues raised in the petition. (FR Pub 08/21/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-16455.pdf)
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1. USTR Decides Not to Initiate Investigation of China's Currency Valuation
2. New China Restriction to Make Costs Rise on Assembly/ Processing Trade for 1,853 Commodities
Asia Times reports that China has taken measures to adjust its policy related to processing-trade involving the importation of raw and auxiliary materials/parts for assembly or processing, and re-export of a finished product, which accounts for half of China's total imports and exports and more than 90% of its trade surplus. In addition to the adjustment of the export-rebate policy on July 1, China has issued a new list of 1,853 commodities whose processing trade will be restricted. According to industrial experts, processing-trade enterprises will see their export costs increase by 30% because of the new policy, and several other measures are expected as China attempts to transform and upgrade its processing-trade enterprises. (Asia Times, dated 08/16/07, available at http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China_Business/IH16Cb01.html)
3. DoD, GSA, NASA Amend FAR to Implement DR-CAFTA with Respect to Certain Countries/FTAs, Propose Further FAR Amendments
The Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration have issued two final rules, effective August 17, 2007 to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation to implement the Dominican Republic-Central America-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) with respect to Guatemala, the U.S.-Bahrain FTA, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The agencies have also issued an interim rule with request for comments by October 16, 2007 to amend the FAR to implement DR-CAFTA with respect to the Dominican Republic and to add Bulgaria and Romania to the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement countries. (FR Pub 08/17/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-3802.pdf, at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-3801.pdf; and at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-3799.pdf, respectively.)
4. APHIS Proposes Exotic Newcastle Testing Regimen for Table Egg Imports
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a proposed rule to modify the requirements concerning the importation of table eggs (other than hatching eggs) from regions where exotic Newcastle disease (END) exists (currently only Mexico). APHIS proposes to provide for the use of a statistically valid testing regimen that would ensure the detection of infected birds in a timely and effective way while eliminating the need for potentially excessive testing. Comments are due by October 12, 2007. (D/N APHIS-2007-0014, FR Pub 08/13/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-15815.pdf)
5. DDTC Issues FAQ Document on USML/CCL Commodity Jurisdiction
The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has issued a frequently asked questions document on commodity jurisdiction, which contains answers to questions on what items are controlled on the U.S. Munitions List or Commerce Control List, who can submit a commodity jurisdiction request, etc. DDTC states that FAQ documents on registration, licensing, and compliance are to follow. (DDTC FAQ document available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/faqs_defense_trade.htm)