Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. 58% of Cargo Moved at LA Port in June was Done by Clean Trucks

2. DHS Secretary Discusses U.S. Security Agreements With Allies

During remarks at the Council on Foreign Relations, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano noted that DHS, together with the Department of Justice, State and others, is brokering agreements with U.S. allies in Europe and around the world to share information on air travelers in advance of their travel, to gather critical biometric information so we know who is in our country, to scan baggage and cargo effectively while still facilitating legal trade and commerce. (Remarks, dated 07/29/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/speeches/sp_1248891649195.shtm.)

3. USDA Vilsack and State's Clinton to Attend AGOA Forum

USDA Secretary Vilsack will join Secretary of State Clinton at the 8th African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum in Nairobi, Kenya from August 4-6, 2009. At the forum, Vilsack will highlight the USDA's ongoing food security efforts in Africa and other places throughout the world. Fact sheet available here. (Notice, dated 07/29/09, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0145-09)

4. Oakland to Consider Resolution in Support of National Goods Movement Policy

The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners will consider a resolution supporting a national goods movement policy at their July 30th Executive Committee meeting. The resolution focuses on promoting a national freight policy for funding and investment in port infrastructure tied to goods movement. Examples of such infrastructure include intermodal freight connectors, federal navigation channels, and marine highways. (Press Release, dated 07/28/09, available at http://www.portofoakland.com/newsroom/pressrel/view.asp?id=177)

5. FHWA Reviews Highway Trust Fund With State Officials

Federal Highway Administrator Mendez told state highway officials that a drop in Highway Trust Fund monies, which could happen by the end of August, would not shut down the Federal-Aid Highway Program, nor would it prevent states from using federal dollars for highway projects. However, it would affect how quickly FHWA reimburses states (rather than daily reimbursement, it could be weekly or twice a month). (Notice, dated 07/28/09, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2009/fhwa2209.htm)

6. APHIS PPQ Manual for Agricultural Clearance Updated

APHIS has posted a July 30, 2009 version of its PPQ manual for agricultural clearance, formerly known as Airport Maritime Operations Manual, which provides CBP personnel working at airport and maritime locations with the guidelines, directions, and policy for clearing carriers and passengers/crew and controlling garbage and cargo. (Manual, updated 07/30/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/mac.shtml)

7. APHIS Miscellaneous and Processed Products PPQ Manual Updated

APHIS has issued a July 29, 2009 version of its Miscellaneous and Processed Products PPQ manual, used for regulating imported items that are processed and are not intended for propagation. (Manual, updated 07/29/09, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/miscellaneous.pdf)

8. FAS Reports Acceptance of DEIP Bids for Nonfat Dry Milk

The Foreign Agricultural Service reports that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation has accepted a bid from DairyAmerica, Inc. under the Dairy Export Incentive Program for nonfat dry milk to Africa and the Middle East. (Notice, dated 07/29/09, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?Entry=valid&PrNum=0144-09)

9. Treasury Designates North Korean Entity Tied to WMD

On July 30, 2009, the Treasury Department designated a North Korean entity, the Korea Hyoksin Trading Corporation (Hyoksin), under Executive Order 13382 for being owned or controlled by a North Korean entity, the Korea Ryonbong General Corporation (Ryonbong), which was identified in the Annex to E.O. 13382. E.O. 13382 freezes the assets of proliferators of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their supporters, and it prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in any transactions with them, thereby isolating them from the U.S. financial and commercial systems. (Press release TG-247, dated 07/30/09, available at http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/tg247.htm.)

10. WCO Announces Macedonia Accedes to the Revised Kyoto Convention

On July 28, 2009, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia deposited its instrument of accession to the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures (revised Kyoto Convention) with the World Customs Organization. (Press Release, dated 07/28/09, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/press/default.aspx?lid=1&id=190)

11. China Posts Info on MOU with U.S. on Climate Change, Energy, Environment

China's Embassy in the U.S. has posted information on the Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. and China on enhancing cooperation in climate change, energy and environment that was signed during the Strategic and Economic Dialogue talks on July 27-28, 2009. The Embassy also posted a fact sheet which is available here. (Notice, dated 07/30/09, available at http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/xw/t576070.htm)

12. Canada to Drop AD Duties on Stainless Steel Wire from U.S., Korea, Switzerland and CV Duties from India

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has found that the dumping of stainless steel wire from Korea, Switzerland and the U.S., and the subsidizing of stainless steel wire from India were unlikely to result in injury. Therefore, the Canada Border Services Agency will not continue to impose anti-dumping and countervailing duties on these products. (Press Release, dated 07/29/09, available at http://www.citt-tcce.gc.ca/press/rr2i04a_e.asp)

13. CBSA Posts Update on Enhanced Drivers Licenses for WHTI Purposes

Canada Border Services Agency has issued a Privacy Impact Assessment and Update on Enhanced Drivers Licenses that, in accordance with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), will be an acceptable document that Canadian citizens can present when entering the U.S. by land and water only. (Notice, posted 07/29/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/agency-agence/reports-rapports/pia-efvp/whti_irvho_api_ipv-eng.html)

14. Most Europeans Say Products' Environmental Impact Affects Purchasing, Want Mandatory Labeling, Etc.

According to the European Commission, a recent survey shows that four out of five Europeans say that the impact of a product on the environment plays an important role in their purchasing decisions. Europeans were evenly divided about claims by producers on the environmental performance of their products while nearly half thought that a combination of increased taxes on environmentally-damaging products and decreased taxes on environmentally-friendly products would best promote eco-friendly products. There was also strong support for retailers to play a role in promoting environmentally-friendly products and for mandatory carbon labeling. (Press Release, dated 07/29/09, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1201&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)