The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) states that the U.S. and Bahrain convened a meeting of the Subcommittee on Labor Affairs of the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement on September 20, 2010. The subcommittee agreed to a series of cooperative labor activities to assist the Ministry of Labor and improve the enforcement of labor laws in Bahrain.
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice announcing the Order revoking the following ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) license is being rescinded:
Secretary of Commerce Locke has announced open registration for the Fourth Americas Competitiveness Forum (ACF) in Atlanta, Georgia on November 14-16, 2010. The event, which brings together private sector and government leaders, will mark the return of the ACF to the U.S. after being hosted in Santiago, Chile in 2009.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau has issued July 2010 data on international trade in goods and services, which states that total July exports of $153.3 billion and imports of $196.1 billion resulted in a goods and services deficit of $42.8 billion, down from $49.8 billion in June, among other things.
The California Air Resources Board has unveiled the “California’s Clean Energy Future” vision in advance of CARB's consideration of a first-in-the-nation rule requiring that a third of U.S. electricity come from clean, green sources by 2020, and is accompanied by an implementation plan and a roadmap.
The American Conference Institute has announced that it will hold its 3rd National Forum on Space and Satellite Export Controls on September 29-30, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Forum will address recent policy developments, plans, and priorities in the field of satellite and space export controls; ITAR restrictions; preventing defense services export violations; meeting DDTC expectations for successful license applications; classifying satellite parts, components, and related technical data; etc. BP subscribers can receive a $200 discount off the standard price by referencing discount code "Broker Power."
On November 16, 2010, the Office of Textiles and Apparel, will host a free webinar on trade preferences for apparel wholly manufactured or knittoshape in Haiti. The webinar will feature background on the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act of 2006 (HOPE), the Food Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (HOPE II), and the Haiti Economic Lift Program of 2010 (HELP), as well as a question and answer session for webinar participants. Registration for this webinar closes on November 15, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. EST.
On September 17, 2010, APHIS updated its Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Treatment Manual. This Manual serves as an operational guide for selecting and conducting quarantine treatments. The procedures and treatment schedules in this manual are administratively authorized for use by APHIS to prevent the movement of agricultural pests into or within the United States. Listed treatments include chemical treatments such as fumigation with methyl bromide, and nonchemical treatments with heat, cold, or irradiation.
The Office of the United States Trade Representative announces a partially open meeting of the Committee of Chairs of the Industry Trade Advisory Committees (ITACs) on October 12, 2010. The agenda for the open portion will be on the draft report on the appropriate scope of viewpoints to be represented on the ITACs. The agenda for the closed portion of the meeting will be the trade policy agenda, including discussion of ongoing negotiations and trade strategies.
On September 20, 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.