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.
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.
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.
According to the International Trade Commission, a section 337 patent complaint on certain incremental dental positioning adjustment appliances and methods of producing same, was filed on behalf of Align Technology Inc. on March 1, 2012. Proposed respondents are:
According to the International Trade Commission, a section 337 patent complaint on certain digital models, digital data, and treatment plans for use, in making incremental dental positioning adjustment appliances, the appliances made therefrom, and methods of making the same, was filed on behalf of Align Technology on March 1, 2012. Proposed respondents are:
On March 7, 2012 the following trade-related bill was introduced:
The Department of Energy announced that it is establishing the Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee (ASRAC), which will provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Energy on matters concerning the DOE’s Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards Program’s test procedures and rulemaking process. Nominations for members are due by April 2, 2012.
The International Trade Administration received a petition on March 1, 2012 to initiate antidumping and countervailing duty investigations for drawn stainless steel sinks from China. ITA is accepting comments on domestic industry support for the petition to determine whether the petition meets the dual requirements of support by domestic producers or workers accounting for (1) at least 25% of the total production of the domestic like product and (2) more than 50% of the production of the domestic like product produced by that portion of the industry expressing support for, or opposition to, the petition. Comments are due by 5:00 pm on March 21, 2012.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee on March 7, 2012 unanimously approved the Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act of 2012 (H.R. 3783), which would require the Secretary of State to use existing funds to create a tailored strategy to fight the activities of Iran and its proxies in the Western Hemisphere. See Committee Chairman Ros-Lehtinen’s press release (dated 03/07/12) here.
The International Trade Administration released new data on March 6, 2012, showing that international merchandise trade exports from 377 U.S. metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) totaled $1.13 trillion in 2010. ITA states that much of the growth in exports in the largest metropolitan areas, such as New York, Houston, and Los Angeles was concentrated particularly in transportation equipment, chemical manufacturing and other general manufacturing. According to the ITA, since the launch of the President’s National Export Initiative in 2010, merchandise exports from MSAs have increased 15.4% over 2009 levels.
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) released a report on March 8, 2012 entitled, “Occupying the Information High Ground: Chinese Capabilities for Computer Network Operations and Cyber Espionage.” The report details how China is advancing its capabilities in computer network attack, defense, and exploitation and examines issues related to cybersecurity, China, and potential risks to U.S. national security and economic interests. The report was prepared for the USCC by Northrop Grumman Corp, and is a follow-up to an earlier 2009 report.