Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Washington Trade Daily reports that House Speaker Pelosi yesterday opened the door for a vote on the US-Colombia free trade agreement - but not until the White House agrees to an economic stimulus package. (04/17/08, www.washingtontradedaily.com)
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1. House Wants Stimulus Package in Exchange for Colombia FTA Vote
2. China Textile and Apparel Exports Still Rising, But Key Province's Falls
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council reports that textile and apparel exports from China rose by 5.7% in the first two months of 2008, but Guangdong Province experienced a 11.3% fall in exports during the same period. The article notes that 2008 may hold shrinking market demand from the U.S., and additional costs due to RMB appreciation, rising labor costs, and export rebate cuts. (04/07/08, available at http://garments.hktdc.com/content.aspx?data=garments_content_en&contentid=1022131&w_sid=194&w_pid=679&w_nid=10353&w_cid=1022131&w_idt=1900-01-01&w_oid=343&w_jid= )
3. TSA Shows Common Items Could House Terrorist Threats in Air Travel
ABC News reports that the Transportation Security Administration discussed terrorist techniques using common items such as watches and electric toothbrushes to house detonators for bombs. (04/10/08 http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/FedCrimes/story?id=4628707&page=1 )
4. APHIS Solicits Nominations for Poultry Committee
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued a notice announcing that the Secretary of Agriculture is soliciting nominations for the election of regional membership for the General Conference Committee of the National Poultry Improvement Plan. Consideration will be given to nominations received on or before June 2, 2008. (APHIS notice, D/N APHIS-2008-0041, FR Pub 04/16/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-8093.pdf.)
5. ITA Organizes Business Development Mission to Iraq in June 2008
The International Trade Administration has issued a notice that it is organizing a Business Development Mission to Erbil, Iraq in June 2008. The business development mission will focus on establishing business meetings between U.S. companies and Iraqi companies, for both export and investment. The application deadline for this mission is May 8, 2008. (ITA notice, FR Pub 04/16/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-8110.pdf.)
6. Commerce Issues Export Trade Certificate of Review to ARGLO
On April 10, 2008, the Commerce Department issued an Export Trade Certificate of Review to Artalex Global (ARGLO). The Certificate protects ARGLO and members identified in the Certificate from certain antitrust actions. (Commerce Department notice, FR Pub 04/16/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-8084.pdf.)
7. International Telecommunication Committee to Hold Open Meetings
The State Department has issued a notice announcing open meetings on May 14, 2008 and June 16, 2008 in Washington, DC of the International Telecommunication Advisory Committee to receive advice from its ad hoc groups tasked with developing draft advice for the State Department's positions on telecommunications matters to be taken at various international meetings. (State Department notice, Public Notice 6174, FR Pub 04/16/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-8155.pdf.)
8. Foreign Trade Zone Board Actions
The Foreign Trade Zones Board has issued the following notices of recent FTZ actions:
FTZ 79 - Tampa, Florida - Application for Temporary/Interim Manufacturing Authority, Tampa Bay Shipbuilding and Repair Company (Shipbuilding), Tampa, FL
(FTZB notice, D/N T-1-2008, FR Pub 04/16/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-8175.pdf.)
9. USDA's ERS Posts China Agricultural and Economic Database
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service has posted a China agricultural and economic database, a collection of agricultural-related data from official statistical publications of China. There are 250 data items available at the national level, and 45 crop, livestock, agricultural output, and population items available at the provincial level. (ERS data, available at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/China/.)
10. USDA Public Meeting to Prepare for Fruit/Vegetable Codex Session
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a notice announcing a public meeting on April 25, 2008 in Washington, DC to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions that will be discussed at the 14th Session of the Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, to be held in Mexico City, Mexico, on May 12-17, 2008. (USDA notice, dated 04/15/08, available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/NR_041508_01/index.asp.)
11. FAS Posts Report on Argentina's Grain and Soybean Market
The Foreign Agricultural Service has posted an International Trade Report on Argentina's greater productivity and improving market efficiencies for grains and soybeans. (FAS report, dated 04/10/08, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/Argentina%20ITR-final.pdf.)