Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. U.S.-China Commission to Hold Hearing on Bilateral Challenges, Etc.

2. Over 600 Chinese Toy Maker Export Licenses Revoked Since August

China's Textile and Economic Information Web site reports that more than 600 Chinese toy makers have had their export licenses revoked to ensure product quality, according to China's State Administration for Quality Supervision and Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), after having thoroughly inspected all 3,000-plus toy makers for export during the rectification work that began last August. The AQSIQ also stated that all toys, even those that are made based on designs and standards by importers, are subjected to safety checks. (CTEI, dated 01/15/08, available at http://www.ctei.gov.cn/english/e_show.asp?xx=6120)

3. Japan Enforcement for Imported, Domestic Foods Differ

The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued an attach report stating that since Japan's Positive List System was implemented in May 2006, imported food has been systematically monitored for chemical residues by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and in the first 10 months, imported foods racked up 455 chemical residue violations. On the other hand, reports of domestic Japanese violations are sporadic and differing enforcement for imported and domestic foods raises national treatment questions. (FAS report, dated 01/10/08, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scripts/gd.asp?ID=146293402)

4. UN Trade Commission Drafting Replacement Cargo-Liability Convention

The Journal of Commerce reports that on January 14, 2008, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law was to hold its final meeting to put the finishing touches on a new cargo-liability convention to take the place of the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, which is to go to the UN General Assembly for approval in June, then to nations for ratification. (JoC, dated January 2008, www.joc.com)

5. Draft European Law Would Ban Imports of Certain Biofuels, Etc.

The New York Times reports that Europe is considering a draft law that would prohibit imports of biofuels derived from crops grown on certain kinds of land such as wetlands, grasslands, and forests, and would require that biofuels used in Europe deliver a minimum level of greenhouse gas savings. (New York Times, dated 01/15/08, available at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/15/business/worldbusiness/15biofuel.html)

6. Europe Votes to Reduce Freight Carrier Document Burden, EC Releases External Transport Cost Handbook

The European Commission reports that on January 15, 2008, the European Parliament adopted the EC's proposal to remove unnecessary burdens for transport companies by no longer requiring freight carriers to carry separate transport documents explaining frontier crossing points, routes to be taken or distance traveled, etc. In a related press release, the EC announced the release of a handbook with estimates of external costs in the transport sector that will be used to prepare, among other things, a strategy to internalize the external costs for all modes of transport. (EC press release on EP adoption of its proposal, IP/08/43, dated 01/15/08, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/43&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN and EC press release on the handbook, IP/08/54, dated 01/16/08, available at http://www.europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/54&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

7. U.S. and Ghana Hold Fifth Trade and Investment Meeting

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a press release announcing that officials from the U.S. and Ghana recently met for the fifth meeting of the U.S.-Ghana Trade and Investment Council to review progress in deepening the countries' partnership on trade and investment issues. (USTR press release, dated 01/15/08, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2008/January/United_States_Ghana_Chart_Course_for_Cooperation_on_Trade_Investment.html)

8. FMCSA Proposes Revisions to Entry-Level CMV Operator Requirements

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a proposed rule to revise the standards for mandatory training requirements for entry-level operators of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate operations who are required to possess a commercial driver's license. Comments must be received on or before March 25, 2008. (FMCSA Notice, D/N FMCSA-2007-27748, FR Pub 12/26/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-24769.pdf)

9. CBP Announces Quarterly IRS Interest Rates Used on Customs Duties

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice, effective January 1, 2008, advising the public of the quarterly Internal Revenue Service interest rates used to calculate interest on overdue accounts (underpayments) and refunds (overpayments) of customs duties. (CBP Notice, FR Pub 12/28/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-25315.pdf)

10. CBP Re-Accredits/Re-Approves Four Companies as Commercial Gaugers and/or Laboratories

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued notices stating that it has re-accredited and re-approved the following companies as commercial gaugers and/or laboratories for petroleum and petroleum products, organic chemicals and vegetable oils, and to test petroleum and petroleum products for customs purposes, in accordance with 19 CFR 151.12 and/or 151.13, on the effective dates listed (see individual notice for dates of next triennial inspections):

(CBP Dec. 07-94, FR Pub 12/17/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-24394.pdf)

(CBP Dec. 07-93 and 07-92, FR Pub 12/17/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-24396.pdf)

(CBP Dec. 07-95, FR Pub 12/21/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-24694.pdf

11. GAO Issues Report Analyzing Free Trade Agreements and TPA Consultations

The Government Accountability Office has issued a report entitled: "International Trade: An Analysis of Free Trade Agreements and Congressional and Private Sector Consultations under Trade Promotion Authority." Among other things, the GAO recommends that USTR and other managing agencies improve information access and the timeliness of congressional consultations, as well as the timeliness of rechartering trade advisory committees. (GAO-08-59, dated 11/07/07, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0859.pdf)

12. GAO Testifies on the Security of the Nation's Aviation and Surface Transportation Systems

The Government Accountability Office has issued testimony entitled: "Transportation Security: Efforts to Strengthen Aviation and Surface Transportation Security are Under Way, but Challenges Remain." The DHS and TSA generally agreed with the GAO's recommendations to strengthen their efforts to secure the transportation network and have taken steps to implement some of them, but more challenges remain. (GAO-08-140T, dated 10/16/07, available athttp://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08140t.pdf)