Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. FMC Creates Webpage on U.S. Export Issues

2. China's Premier Hopes to Solve Currency, Trade Issues with U.S. at Next SED Talks

Xinhua News reports that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on March 22, 2010 that an upcoming second round of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue, slated for May in Beijing, will provide an opportunity for China and the U.S. to solve problems the two countries have regarding trade and currency. (Notice, dated 03/22/10, available at http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-03/22/c_13220661.htm)

3. EU and Argentina Settle WTO Genetically Modified Organisms Case

The European Union and Argentina have settled the WTO dispute brought against the EU in 2003 on its biotech product legislation and genetically modified organisms. The solution provides for the establishment of a regular dialogue on the issue. A similar agreement was reached with Canada in July 2009, but no agreement has been reached with the third complainant, the U.S. (Press release, dated 03/18/10, available at http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/press/index.cfm?id=536)

4. AMS Requests Nominations for National Organic Standards Board

The Agricultural Marketing Service is requesting nominations to fill five upcoming vacancies on the National Organic Standards Board. The positions to be filled are: organic producer (2 positions), consumer/public interest (2 positions), and USDA accredited certifying agent (1 position). Written nominations must be post marked on or before July 17, 2010. (D/N AMS-NOP-10-0014; NOP-10-01, FR Pub 03/22/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-6188.pdf)

5. VA Man Sentenced for Theft of DuPont Trade Secrets

The Bureau of Industry and Security reports that Michael David Mitchell of Virginia has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for theft of trade secrets from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. After his termination from DuPont, Mitchell emailed much of the contents of a DuPont proprietary spreadsheet document entitled "Denier Economics" to an official with Kolon Industries, Inc. (Press release, dated 03/18/10, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2010/doj03182010.htm)

6. Colorado Co. Charged with Exporting Prisms to Russia, China, Etc.

The Justice Department reports that Rocky Mountain Instrument Company, a Colorado corporation, was charged with one count of knowingly and willfully exporting defense articles (prisms and technical optics data) from the U.S. to Turkey, South Korea, China, and Russia, without having first obtained the necessary license or written authorization. (Press release, dated 03/17/10, available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/co/press_releases/2010/March10/3_17_10.html)

7. $14.1 Million Fine for Innospec for Fraud and FCPA Violations

The Justice Department reports that Innospec Inc., a Delaware corporation, pleaded guilty to defrauding the United Nations, to violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and to violating the U.S. embargo against Cuba, agreeing to pay a $14.1 million criminal fine. It is also subject to three years of compliance monitoring. Innospec is the world's only manufacturer of the anti-knock compound tetraethyl lead, used in leaded gasoline. (News release, dated 03/18/10, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/March/10-crm-278.html)

8. Indictment for Smuggling Counterfeit Luxury Goods thru Baltimore

Immigration and Customs Service has announced that undercover operations have resulted in the indictment of 9 individuals, including 2 Malaysian citizens, 4 Chinese citizens and 3 naturalized U.S. citizens for conspiracy to import into the Port of Baltimore, counterfeit Nike, Coach and Gucci shoes, Coach handbags and Cartier wrist watches manufactured in Malaysia and China. (News release, dated 03/19/10, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/1003/100319baltimore.htm)

9. WTO Circulates Negotiating Text on Chemical Classification & Labeling

The European Union has circulated the negotiating text of a World Trade Organization Understanding on Non-Tariff Barriers Pertaining to Standards, Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment Procedures for Chemical Products in which Members would gradually align their regulations to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals with substantial alignment by the end of 2015. (Notice, dated 03/19/10, available at http://docsonline.wto.org/DDFDocuments/t/tn/ma/W137.doc)

10. China Says Faulty HP Laptops Violated China's "Three Guarantees"

According to a Chinese Government press release, Hewlett-Packard violated China's consumer rights regulations with respect to HP laptops that had faulty graphic chips and display screens, by not "strictly" obeying its "Three Guarantees" regulations for refund, replacement, and repair. The findings came out six days after China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine (AQSIQ) launched a probe. (Notice, dated 03/09/10, available at http://english.gov.cn/chinatoday/2010-03/19/content_1559439.htm)

11. Health Canada Recommends Permitting Caffeine in Non-Cola Drinks

Health Canada intends to recommend that the Food and Drug Regulations be amended to permit the use of caffeine and caffeine citrate as food additives in non-alcoholic carbonated water-based flavored and sweetened beverages other than cola type beverages at a maximum level of use of 150 ppm used singly or in combination in the finished product. (Notice, dated 03/09/10, available at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2010/2010-03-20/html/notice-avis-eng.htmld106)

12. CBSA Amends D-Memorandum on NAFTA Specific Origin Rules

The Canada Border Services Agency has amended its Memorandum D11-5-2 NAFTA - Specific Rules of Origin. The amendments reflect the liberalization of the rules of origin for herbs and spices, petroleum, leather, certain textiles and apparel, aluminum, diesel engines, gas turbines and parts, valves, electric transformers, primary cells and batteries, telephonics, televisions, locomotives and parts, medical appliances and parts, and other instruments. (Memorandum, dated 03/19/10, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d11/d11-5-2-eng.html)

13. CBSA Amends D-Memorandum on NAFTA Origin Rules

The Canada Border Services Agency has amended its Memorandum D11-5-1 NAFTA - Rules of Origin. The amendments update the memorandum and do not reflect a change in policy. (Memorandum, dated 03/19/10, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d11/d11-5-1-eng.html)

14. Canadian ITT Hearings on Christmas Lights and Artist Canvases

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal will hold a public hearing on April 14, 2010 to consider an appeal by Tara Materials Inc. regarding the classification of cotton and poly/cotton artist canvases. On April 15, 2010, the Tribunal will consider an appeal by Loblaw Companies Ltd. on the classification of indoor and outdoor LED Christmas light sets. (Notice, dated 03/11/10, available at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2010/2010-03-20/html/commis-eng.htmlf108)

15. Foreign Trade Zone Board Actions and Notices

The Foreign Trade Zone Board has issued the following:

FTZ 22- Approval for Temporary/Interim Manufacturing Authority: Foreign Trade Zone 22; Bolingbrook, IL

FTZ 33-Approval for Expansion: Foreign Trade Zone 33; Pittsburgh, PA

16. Revised FDA Import Alerts

The Food and Drug Administration has posted revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:

99-21: Food Products Containing Sulfites

80-04: Surgeon's and Patient Examination Gloves

45-02: Foods Containing Illegal and/or Undeclared Colors

16-81: Seafood Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella