The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM Korea) states that South Korea will expand tariff breaks for least developed nations. Starting next year, 4,547 different types of products made in 49 least developed economies will be allowed into the country without paying duties.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM Korea) reports that South Korean Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon has announced that the U.S. strongly wishes to reach a settlement on the pending free trade pact between the two countries sometime within the next several weeks. The two sides failed to make a breakthrough during talks last week largely due to the widely differing views on automobiles. Seoul's trade negotiator said they will continue talks to secure an acceptable deal for both countries taking into account the strategic importance of the trade pact. However, specific dates have yet to be set for the upcoming dialogue.
On November 10, 2010, the Canadian Minister of Health published an order that reduces Canada's allowable limit on lead in surface coating, effective October 21, 2010.
The European Commission and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) have published the main findings of a joint research project aimed at deepening their understanding of transatlantic air services. This project provides a foundation for substantive cooperation between the Commission and the DOT in the competitive assessment of airline alliances. The report clarifies the extent of convergence between the two agencies in their respective competition reviews of transatlantic alliances.
In the November 17 edition of the Official Journal of the European Union, the following trade-related notices were posted:
The Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy announces that the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization, the Secretary General of INTERPOL, and the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization are inviting the public to attend the Sixth Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy to be held in Paris on February 2-3 2011.
The European Union High Level Forum for a Better Functioning Food Supply Chain was set to meet for the first time on November 16, 2010 to adopt a plan to boost competitiveness and to promote best contractual practices in the European food sector, extending the work of the previous High Level Group to the whole supply chain.
Members of European Parliament have adopted a resolution calling on the European Commission to ensure that the impact of speculation across the agricultural sector will be limited. In particular, they are concerned with the 50% rise in cereal costs over the last two months, as 60% of farm production costs are attributable to cereals.
Mexico's Diario Oficial of November 16, 2010 lists notices from the Secretary of the Economy as follows:
Peru and five Central American countries recently finished their first round of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, agreeing to reinforce their commercial ties.