Wrapping up the administration’s first trade mission to the Caribbean, Commerce Department senior adviser and Deputy Chief of Staff Rick Wade stressed that geographical proximity and shared historical and cultural ties make the Dominican Republic and Jamaica prime destinations for U.S. goods and services. Wade led a 10-company U.S. trade mission to the region to promote export opportunities June 13-19.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has posted its response to a question it received regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Customs procedures. According to the questioner, research consistently shows that a significant barrier to increased international trade by small businesses is the opaque and expensive problem of Customs procedures, documentation and duties. They asked what the Administration will do to help make the export/import process via the Posts and express carriers faster, cheaper and easier for small business? The USTR responded by saying that it plans to address the customs-related issues identified as part of customs cooperation group of the TPP negotiations. In keeping with its objective to make the TPP a 21st century agreement, USTR plans to discuss ways that it could further facilitate international trade and increase the transparency of customs procedures, including for outbound and express shipments.
The International Trade Administration has issued an Export Trade Certificate of Review to EFS International Corporation/DBA: EFS Global Trade and Export Services (Application No. 10-00002).
Starting in mid-2011, the Federal Trade Commission states that consumers shopping for light bulbs will notice new labeling on packaging designed to help them choose among the different types of bulbs on the market -- traditional incandescent bulbs, and newer high-efficiency compact fluorescent (CFL) and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. The new labels will enable consumers to save money by selecting the most efficient bulbs that best fit their lighting needs.
On June 21, 2010, officials of the U.S. and Switzerland signed an enhanced Open Skies Air Transport Agreement, replacing the previous agreement signed in 1995. The new agreement entered into force upon signature. The new agreement includes all of the essential elements of Open Skies and adds the right for airlines of both countries to operate all-cargo flights to third countries without a connection to the home country. In addition, the new agreement extends to Swiss airlines the opportunity to compete under the “Fly America Act” for certain U.S. government civilian agency-funded passenger and cargo traffic between the United States and Switzerland and between non-U.S. points.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the names of two individuals in Peru and Mexico whose property and interests in property have been unblocked pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, effective June 10, 2010.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announces a meeting via telephone on July 8, 2010, in which the Unified Carrier Registration Plan Board of Directors will continue its work in developing and implementing the Unified Carrier Registration Plan and Agreement.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control has targeted a financial network of the 48th Front, a part of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC), pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, which prohibits U.S. persons from conducting financial or commercial transactions with these individuals and entities, and freezes any assets they may have under U.S. jurisdiction.
The U.S. Trade Representative has posted readouts from days 2-4 of the second round of negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement that took place in San Francisco, CA. On Day 2, topics raised included services and development elements in the TPP, and how USTR will stay in touch with stakeholders beyond the face-to-face meetings in San Francisco. On Day 3, several working groups from the eight TPP partner countries began negotiations on various issue areas (customs cooperation, labor, etc.), while others continued their talks. Day 4 included discussions on how best to address the needs of small- and medium-sized enterprises and supply chains across the Asia-Pacific.