The U.S. Trade Representative has sent a request letter to the International Trade Commission requesting that the ITC provide its advice as to the probable economic effect of the removal from eligibility for duty-free treatment under the General System of Preferences (GSP) program from all beneficiary countries or from the specified country on U.S. industries producing like or directly competitive articles, on U.S. imports, and on U.S. consumers, for the following articles: certain sleeping bags (HTS 9404.30.80) and certain self-adhesive plastic tapes from Indonesia (HTS 3919.10.20 and 3919.90.50). (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/26/10 news, 10102611, for BP summary of USTR's announcement that it has received and accepted the petitions for review for these products.)
On October 25, 2010, APHIS updated its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Animal Product Manual. This Manual provides the background, procedures, and regulatory actions to enforce the regulations governing the import and export of animals, animal products, and animal by-products.
The Congressional Research Service has issued a report (RL34612) entitled, "Food Safety on the Farm: Federal Programs and Legislative Action." The report discusses whether more stringent safety standards are needed for farms, as exist for processors and others in the food chain, which has been an issue in Congress' consideration of pending food safety legislation.
On October 25, 2010, APHIS updated the Manual for Agricultural Clearance. The manual 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.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued updated versions of its list of Mexico (October 22, 2010) firms eligible to export meat and poultry to the U.S.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Geithner stated at the conclusion of the October 23, 2010 G-20 meeting that the most important thing achieved was an agreement on a framework for curbing excess trade imbalances in the future. Recognizing that the challenge is multilateral, surplus economies need to shift away from export dependence and a stronger policy of domestic demand, and certain other economies like the U.S. need to complete reforms to increase savings, investment, and exports. The countries also agreed to cooperate more closely on exchange rate policy.
The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued its annual guide to the Canadian market for U.S. food exporters. The 2010 version of the guide includes updates to the organic food section, market sector reports, consumer trends, and best prospects for U.S. consumer-oriented agricultural products in the Canadian market.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the name of one individual whose property and interests in property has been unblocked pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, effective October 19, 2010. The individual is Luis Manuel Sanchez Varilla of Colombia.
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements has determined that certain woven flannel fabric of polyester, rayon and acrylic classifiable under HTS subheading 5515.11.0040 cannot be supplied in commercial quantities in a timely manner by Dominican Republic-Central America-U.S. Free Trade Agreement countries. The product will be added to the list in Annex 3.25 of the DR-CAFTA in unrestricted quantities. (See ITT's Online Archives or 09/27/10 news, 10092723, for BP summary of the "commercial availability" request by Elder Manufacturing Company, Inc.)
The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the name of one individual whose property and interests in property has been blocked pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, effective October 19, 2010. The individual is Guillermo Leon Valencia Cossio in Colombia.