The International Trade Administration has issued the final results of the administrative review of the antidumping duty order on polyethylene terephthalate film, sheet, and strip from China (A-570-924) which sets AD cash deposit rates for four exporters and continues the China-wide cash deposit rate from the last review. These rates, which are effective March 12, 2012, are expected to be implemented by U.S. Customs and Border Protection soon.
Brian Feito
Brian Feito is Managing Editor of International Trade Today, Export Compliance Daily and Trade Law Daily. A licensed customs broker who spent time at the Department of Commerce calculating antidumping and countervailing duties, Brian covers a wide range of subjects including customs and trade-facing product regulation, the courts, antidumping and countervailing duties and Mexico and the European Union. Brian is a graduate of the University of Florida and George Mason University. He joined the staff of Warren Communications News in 2012.
The International Trade Commission has announced that it is considering what the effects of a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders directed against certain semiconductor chips and products containing same (337-TA-753) would have upon the public welfare, competition conditions in the U.S., and U.S. consumers, in light of a March 2, 2012 Administrative Law Judge recommended determination on remedy and bonding. Comments are due by March 26, 2012.
The International Trade Administration and Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs released on March 9, 2012 the “U.S.-Swiss Safe Harbor Framework: A Guide to Self-Certification,” which provides detailed information to U.S. firms navigating Switzerland’s data protection laws. The U.S.-Swiss Safe Harbor Framework, launched in February 2009, provides a streamlined means for U.S. organizations to comply with Switzerland’s data protection laws and helps U.S. companies to avoid experiencing interruptions in their business transactions with Swiss companies. More than 1,600 U.S. companies currently participate in the Framework.
The Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration have issued a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to add Armenia as a designated country, due to the accession of Armenia to membership in the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement. The rule also updates the FAR lists of countries that are party to the Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft. DoD notice amending original notice by changing incorrect dates here.
On March 7, 2012, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sanchez spoke before the American Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi. Sanchez, highlighting the U.S.-Vietnam trade relationship, noted that U.S. exports to Vietnam grew almost 17% last year to roughly $4.3 billion, which is four times the value of exports in 2006. However, Sanchez stated, U.S. exports still only account for about 4% of Vietnam’s total 2011 imports. According to Sanchez, the Trans-Pacific Partnership is an important effort in helping U.S. businesses to reach their potential in Vietnam.
The International Trade Commission is asking for comments by approximately March 17, 2012 on a patent complaint filed on behalf of Fabri-Kal Corporation which alleges violations of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the U.S., the sale for importation, and the sale within the U.S. after importation of certain food containers, cups, plates, cutlery, and related items, and packaging thereof (D/N 2883). ITC is asking for comments on any public interest issues that might affect ITC consideration, including whether the issuance of an exclusion order and/or cease and desist order would impact the public interest.
The Foreign Trade Zones Board announced that it has scheduled two new grantee-focused webinars. The first webinar, on March 14, 2012 at 1:00 pm, will cover grantees’ submitting their annual reports to the FTZ Board via the Online FTZ Information System (OFIS). The webinar content will be specific to grantees’ reviewing operator reports and filling out and submitting their annual report to the FTZ Board using OFIS.
The International Trade Administration published a notice correcting its March 1, 2012 opportunity to request administrative reviews to correct the review period for polyvinyl alcohol from Taiwan (A-583-841). Specifically, while the original notice stated that the review period is 09/13/11 -- 02/29/12, the correct period of review is 09/13/10 - 02/29/12.
The International Trade Commission is asking for comments by approximately March 17, 2012 on a patent complaint filed on behalf of Graphics Properties Holdings, Inc. which alleges violations of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the U.S., the sale for importation, and the sale within the U.S. after importation of certain consumer electronics and display devices and products containing same (D/N 2882). ITC is asking for comments on any public interest issues that might affect ITC consideration, including whether the issuance of an exclusion order and/or cease and desist order would impact the public interest.
On February 28, 2012, the Office of Management and Budget released the United States-Mexico High-Level Regulatory Cooperation Council (HLRCC) Work Plan, which is an outline of activities, to be carried out by the HLRCC for a period of two years, with regard to reducing administrative burdens and aligning regulations between the U.S. and Mexico. The HLRCC's plan will be reviewed and modified as appropriate, on an annual basis. The Plan focuses on several sectoral issues in the following areas: food, transportation, nanotechnology, e-health, oil and gas drilling, and conformity assessment.