Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

June 10, 2009 |Top News

The European Commission's Taxation and Customs Union Webpage on Electronic Customs has been updated. The webpage gives an overview of the major projects making up the electronic customs initiative, including the Single Electronic Access Point and Single Window, the Automated Import System, the Automated Export System, etc. (Notice, available at http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/policy_issues/electronic_customs_initiative/it_projects/index_en.htm)

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1. EC Updates Webpage on European Electronic Customs Initiative

2. EU, Russia Meet to Discuss Russia's Accession to WTO

The European Commission reports that EU Trade Commissioner Ashton and the Russian Minister for Economic Development Nabiullina, met recently to discuss Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization, as well as bilateral trade issues. The two sides showed a commitment to be flexible on all open issues regarding Russia's WTO accession. They agreed that Russian WTO membership should be sought as soon as possible, and that discussions would now continue between chief negotiators. (Notice, dated 06/04/09, available at http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/bilateral/countries/russia/pr040609_en.htm)

3. China Raises Tax Rebates on 2,600 Items to "Shore Up Exports"

China's Ministry of Commerce reports that China has raised export tax rebates on more than 2,600 items, including processed farm products, machines, shoes, hats and toys, as of June 1, 2009. Mofcom states that this is the seventh time that the nation raised tax rebates since last August in order to shore up exports amid the global economic downturn. (Notice, dated 06/09/09, available at http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/newsrelease/commonnews/200906/20090606315205.html)

4. Sec. of State Speaks on OAS Resolution to Allow Cuba to Rejoin

Secretary of State Clinton released a statement on the Organization of American States' resolution to lift its 1962 suspension of membership for Cuba and allow it back into the organization under certain conditions. Among other things, OAS addresses trade issues between member countries. (Statement, dated 06/03/09, available at http://www.america.gov/st/texttrans-english/2009/June/20090604152813eaifas0.052746.html?CP.rss=true)

5. Commerce Secretary Meets with Mongolia's Foreign Affairs Minister

Secretary Locke and Minister Batbold pledged to continue to develop U.S.-Mongolian trade and economic relations and discussed the importance of the Fourth U.S.-Mongolia Business Forum, which was held at the U.S. Department of Commerce June 6th, with focus on the energy sector, including coal mining and production, renewable energy, oil and gas, and nuclear energy. (Press Release, dated 06/08/09, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_008064)

6. CPSC Final Rule on Definition of Blasting Caps

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is issuing a final rule, effective June 9, 2009, to supplement the current definition of blasting cap'' in its regulations under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. The final rule simply uses the term "detonator'' in addition to the term "blasting cap'' to reflect the current usage of those terms in the explosives industry. (FR Pub 06/09/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-13365.pdf)

7. GAO Report on Aviation and Climate Change

The Government Accountability Office has posted its report to congressional committees entitled "Aviation and Climate Change: Aircraft Emissions Expected to Grow, but Technological and Operational Improvements and Government Policies Can Help Control Emissions." (Report, dated June 2009, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09554.pdf)

8. APHIS Updates PPQ Miscellaneous and Processed Products Manual

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a June 8, 2009 version of its Plant Protection and Quarantine Miscellaneous and Processed Products Manual, which is used for regulating imported items that are processed and are not intended for propagation. (Manual, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/miscellaneous.pdf)