Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

Brazil’s Foreign Trade Chamber (CAMEX) has issued a formal a resolution on its previously announced decision to delay the increased duties of 12-100% on U.S. products that were set to take effect in April 2010. The increased duties, which are due to U.S. noncompliance with the World Trade Organization’s upland cotton dispute ruling, are now set to take effect on June 21, 2010. (Resolution, dated 04/20/10, available at http://www.mdic.gov.br/arquivos/dwnl_1271943946.pdf)

2. U.S. and Canada Agree to Twice-Annual Trade Meetings

Canadian Minister of International Trade Van Loan wrapped up his first official visit to Washington, D.C. on April 23, 2010, where he and U.S. Trade Representative Kirk agreed to hold twice-annual meetings on the Canada-U.S. trade relationship. (Notice, dated 04/23/10, available at http://www.international.gc.ca/commerce/visit-visite/washington-2010.aspx?lang=eng)

3. CBSA Amends its Tariff Schedule

The Canada Border Services Agency has announced that Canada's 2010 Tariff Schedule has been amended. CBSA has also posted many of the affected sections and chapters, etc. (Schedule, posted 04/23/10, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/trade-commerce/tariff-tarif/2010/mod-sum-eng.html#t3)

4. California ARB Considers Additional Flexibility for Diesel Regs

The California Air Resources Board has announced that it began the formal process to revise its strategy for the clean-up of on- and off-road diesel engines for big rigs, buses and construction equipment, by directing staff to return in September with specific proposals to provide additional flexibility. (News release, dated 04/22/10, available at http://www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/2010/nr042210.htm)

5. U.S.-Pakistan Trade and Investment Council Met

Officials from the U.S. and Pakistan recently met at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative for the fourth meeting of the U.S.-Pakistan Trade and Investment Council. Among other things, both sides agreed to work together and with the U.S. Congress to move ROZ legislation forward. (Press release, dated 04/26/10, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2010/april/joint-statement-us-pakistan-trade-and-investment-cou)

6. CPSC Recognizes Four Private Labs as Firewalled 3rd Party Labs

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has voted (5-0) to recognize four testing labs that are owned, managed, or controlled by a manufacturer or private labeler as firewalled, CPSC-recognized third-party labs, that are accredited to test children’s products for certain children’s product safety rules. (Notice, dated 04/23/10, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10203.html)

7. DOT Announces U.S.-Israel Agreement on Open Skies

The Transportation Department announced that the U.S. and Israel have reached an Open-Skies aviation agreement. Airlines from both countries will be allowed to select routes and destinations based on consumer demand for both passenger and cargo services, without limitations. It will also allow cooperative marketing arrangements. (Press release, dated 04/23/10, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/dot8010a.htm)

8. Second SE&D to be Held in China May 24-25, 010

The State Department states that the second round of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialog will be held in Beijing, China, May 24-25, 2010. Secretary of State Clinton and Treasury Secretary Geithner will be joined for the Dialog by their respective Chinese Co-Chairs, State Councilor Dai Bingguo and Vice Premier Wang Qishan. (Document available by e-mailing documents@brokerpower.com)

9. ITA Announces Cosmetics Trade Mission to India

The International Trade Administration's U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service is organizing a Beauty and Cosmetics Trade Mission to India (New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore), November 15-19, 2010, which will assist U.S. beauty and cosmetics companies to identify prospective representatives, distributors, partners, and end-users in the Indian market. (FR Pub 04/26/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-9534.pdf)

10. ITA Announces Trade Mission to Iraq

The International Trade Administration's U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service is organizing a trade mission to Baghdad, Iraq in October 2010 to assist U.S. firms in finding business partners and selling equipment and services in the Iraqi market. Targeted sectors include oil and gas; construction; and information and communications technology. (FR Pub 04/26/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-9590.pdf)

11. ITA Announces Energy, Infrastructure Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia

The International Trade Administration's U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service is organizing an energy and infrastructure trade mission to Saudi Arabia, December 6-8, 2010, which will introduce participants to end-users and prospective partners whose needs and capabilities are targeted to the respective U.S. participant’s strengths. (FR Pub 04/26/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-9597.pdf)

12. India Issues "Way Forward" on Rules of Origin Harmonization Work

The World Trade Organization has circulated India's recommendation on "the way forward" for the Harmonization Work Program Under the Agreement on Rules of Origin. Among other things, India proposes that a deliberative process be established to prepare for a formal decision on certain remaining issues in the next Ministerial Conference. (Communication, dated 04/22/10, available at http://docsonline.wto.org/DDFDocuments/t/WT/GC/W622.doc)

13. Canada Now Allows Armed Forces and Others to Join NEXUS, CANPASS

The Canada Border Services Agency has amended the three-year residency requirement for the NEXUS and CANPASS programs so that the following groups can now join: (1) family members accompanying diplomats and (2) those serving in the Canadian or U.S. Armed Forces including their family members. (Notice, posted 04/22/10, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/travel-voyage/3nexus-canpass-eng.html)

14. CITT Excludes Certain Fishing Waders from AD Order on Waterproof Footwear from China

On April 13, 2010, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal amended its 2005 order (Interim Review No. RD-2009-003) to exclude fishing waders made of polyester neoprene shells affixed to ethylene vinyl acetate boots with thermoplastic rubber outsoles from its antidumping duty order on waterproof footwear from China. (Notice, dated 04/13/10, available at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2010/2010-04-24/html/commis-eng.html#f109)

15. Foreign Trade Zone Board Actions and Notices

The Foreign Trade Zone Board has issued the following:

• FTZ 126--Applications for Reorganization/Expansion under Alternative Site Framework: Foreign Trade Zone 126; Reno, NV

16. EU Official Journal Notices Involving Trade for April 24, 2010

In the April 24, 2010 edition of the Official Journal of the European Union, the following trade-related notices were posted:

• Regulation regarding the placing on the market and import requirements for consignments of aquaculture animals intended for Member States or parts thereof with national measures approved by Decision 2010/221/EU;
• Regulation approving minor amendments to the specification for a name entered in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications.

(Journal, dated 04/24/10, available at http://eur-lex.europa.eu/JOHtml.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:104:SOM:EN:HTML)

17. FMC Lists OTI Applications

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists those applying for ocean transportation intermediary licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:

FMC notice (FR Pub 04/14/10) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-8546.pdf