Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

March 10, 2009 |Top News

President Obama has issued a press release announcing that he will meet with Brazilian President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva at the White House on March 14, 2009 to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation on global and hemispheric challenges, ensure a productive agenda for the Summit of the Americas in April 2009, etc. (Press release, dated 03/06/09, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Upcoming-Working-Visit-by-President-of-Brazil-to-Washington)

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1. President Announces Meeting with President of Brazil

2. ERS Reports on Fiber Use for Textiles and China's Cotton Textile Exports

The Economic Research Service has issued a report, "Fiber Use for Textiles and China's Cotton Textile Exports." According to the report, new information about the role of recycling in the textile industry and updated estimates of efficiency in spinning lower estimates of the volume of cotton fiber exported by China in the form of textiles from those of an earlier study. (Report, dated 03/09, available at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/CWS/2009/03Mar/CWS08i01/)

3. House Homeland Security Comments on GAO Report on Highway Infrastructure Security

The House Homeland Security Committee has issued a press release on the Government Accountability Office's new report on the security of the U.S. highway infrastructure. The report, entitled Federal Efforts to Strengthen Security Should Be Better Coordinated and Targeted on the Nation's Most Critical Highway Infrastructure, demonstrates how much TSA must strengthen and clarify its surface transportation mission and reveals significant gaps in the Department's efforts toward securing a critical element of both the U.S. economy and society. (Press release, dated 03/06/09, available at http://hsc.house.gov/press/index.asp?ID=424.)

4. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Hearing on Climate Change

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a full committee hearing on "Climate Science: Empowering Our Response to Climate Change" on March 12, 2009. (Hearing announcement, dated 03/09/09, available at http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=074209c9-3c9b-4244-8a8f-d2b8a085f5dd&Month=3&Year=2009.)

5. AMS Proposes Rule for Section 8e Exemption to Minimum Grade Requirements for Imported Fresh Tomatoes

The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a proposed rule inviting comments within 60 days on a proposed Section 8e exemption to the minimum grade requirements under the tomato import regulation. A separate rule to exempt Vintage Ripes tomatoes from the shape requirements associated with the U.S. No. 2 grade is being issued by the USDA. This rule would provide the same Section 8e exemption under the import regulation. (FR Pub 03/09/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-4849.pdf)

6. CPSC Correction to Notice on Draft CPSIA Phthalates Guidance for Children's Products

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is correcting an earlier notice published on February 23, 2008 regarding a draft CPSIA Phthalates Guidance for Children's Products in order to correctly list the website as http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/phthalatesop.pdf. (FR Pub 03/09/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-4947.pdf)

7. BIS Posts DOJ Release on Export Violation Conviction in Federal Court

The Bureau of Industry and Security has posted a Justice Department release on the conviction of Joseph Piquet on seven separate counts arising from a conspiracy to purchase high-tech, military use electronic components from Northrop Grumman Corporation, and to then ship the items to Hong Kong and China without first obtaining required export licenses under the Arms Export Control Act and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. (Press release, dated 03/06/09, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2009/doj03062009.htm)

8. DDTC Posts February 2009 Export Licensing Processing Times

The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has updated its defense export licensing processing times to include February 2009. (Information, dated 03/03/09, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/metrics/index.html)

9. Government of Canada Seeks Public Views on Comprehensive Economic Partnership with India

Canada's Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway Stockwell Day announced on March 6, 2009 that the Government of Canada is seeking advice from Canadians on developing a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with India. During his January 18-22 trip to India, Minister Day announced that Canada and India had agreed to initiate discussions toward an enhanced economic partnership. (News release, dated 03/06/09, available at http://w01.international.gc.ca/minpub/Publication.aspx?isRedirect=True&publication_id=386912&language=E&docnumber=61)

10. WCO Meets with the International Road Transport Union

Officials from the World Customs Organization and the IRU met in Geneva on February 17, 2009 to discuss land transport, including technical areas where cooperation could be enhanced, such as the SAFE Framework, cargo data submission, and border wait times. At present the WCO and IRU are collaborating on an e-learning program for the TIR carnet system. (WCO notice available at http://www.wcoomd.org/home.htm)

11. WCO News Publication for February 2009

This WCO publication contains articles, snippets, advertisements, and a WCO calendar of events. Articles include stories on Uruguay's hosting of the first seminar on the use of the Customs Enforcement Network (CEN), the first official agreement under the Capacity Building Columbus program, the WCO's e-learning program on global Customs Standards, etc. (WCO notice available at http://www.wcoomd.org/home.htm)

12. NAPPO Announces Biotech Symposium for October 2009

The North American Plant Protection Organization has posted notice that a symposium on biotechnology is scheduled for October 22, 2009. (Notice available at http://www.nappo.org/menu_e.shtml)