The European Commission’s Taxation and Customs Union has issued a notice announcing that the EC is proposing to extend the current minimum standard value added tax (VAT) rate of 15% until the end 2015.
The European Commission’s Taxation and Customs Union has issued a press release announcing that on June 24, 2010, the European Union and Japan signed a decision establishing mutual recognition of Authorised Economic Operators (AEOs) between the EU and Japan.
The World Trade Organization has published its 2010 WTO Annual Report. The report provides a brief summary of the organization and a detailed review of its activities in 2009. It also includes a personal message from the Director-General, who reflects on the events of 2009, the impact of the financial crisis and the challenges that lie ahead.
Xinhuanet.com reports that Australia hopes for conclusion of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks with China by the end of this year, said Chinese Deputy Minister of Commerce Chen Jian. China and Australia are scheduled to hold the 15th round of FTA talks on June 28 in Beijing.
On June 17, 2010, the Canadian Border Services Agency issued an expiry determination to continue the antidumping duty orders on refined sugar, refined from sugar cane or sugar beets, in granulated, liquid and powdered form, originating in or exported from the U.S., Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, and the countervailing duty orders these same products originating in or exported from the European Union. The CBSA determined that the expiry of the orders is likely to result in the continuation or resumption of dumping and/or subsidizing of the goods
In the June 22, 2010 edition of the Official Journal of the European Union, the following trade-related notices were posted:
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency states that effective June 21, 2010, it is accepting shipments of fresh fruits (except grapes and olives) from areas of California regulated for European grapevine moth (Lobesia botrana) when they are certified free of the insect. Phytosanitary certificates issued by the USDA must declare that "The consignment was inspected and found free from Lobesia botrana." At present, six counties in California contain regulated areas: Fresno, Mendocina, Merced, Napa, Solano and Sonoma.
Canada's Department of Environment is requesting applications by July 29, 2010, from persons seeking to use methyl bromide in Canada under a critical use exemption. Applications will be used by the government to determine its Montreal Protocol nominations for critical use exemptions for the years 2012 and 2013.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has issued a reminder that 2010-2011 tariff rate quota for frozen pork from the European Union will be accessible on July 5, 2010, at noon Eastern Daylight Time. Any applications submitted prior to 12:00 hrs EDT on July 5, 2010 will be rejected. The TRQ level established for frozen pork, for the twelve month period August 1, 2010 to July 31, 2011 is 2,970,000 kilograms.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada is advising on-line brokers that, effective immediately, all requests for cancellation of permits for RELEASED Agriculture, Steel, Textiles and Clothing shipments are to be submitted by facsimile on the attached Request for Cancellation form.