The Foreign Trade Zones Board announced its new mailing address. The change reflects a move within the same building. Any written correspondence or submissions to FTZB should be sent to the following address:
Imports and exports both declined in July, but the drop in exports was steeper leading to a widening of the U.S. goods and services deficit by $100 million to $42 billion, said the Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis in their U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services Report for July 2012. The report showed that, as compared to revised June 2012 levels, exports were down $1.9 billion to $183.3 billion, and imports were down $1.8 billion to $225.3 billion. As compared to July 2011 totals, exports increased by 2.8% and imports by 0.6%. The U.S. trade deficit with China increased to $29.4 billion in July, up from $27.4 billion in June. Statement by Acting Commerce Secretary Blank available here. International Trade Administration fact sheet available here.
The Manufacturing Council will hold an open meeting Sept. 28 at 9:30-11:30 a.m. to hear and deliberate on proposed recommendations to be presented by the Workforce Development subcommittee. The council members will also summarize all recommendations adopted throughout their 2010-2012 appointment term in a final presentation to the Secretary of Commerce. Those wishing to attend should register by Sept. 21, 2012.
The deadline for applications to participate in the International Trade Administration's Infrastructure Business Development Mission to Indonesia and Vietnam has been changed to Sept. 21 (from Aug. 31), said the ITA. Due to summer holidays, additional time is needed to allow for additional recruitment and marketing in support of the mission, it said.
The supply chain for textiles and apparel is increasingly global and now includes North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa and the Asia Pacific region, the International Trade Administration's Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) said in an export guide published Sept. 4. Last year saw an increase in total textile and apparel exports of over $22.4 billion, up from $19.7 billion in 2010, it said. As foreign markets rebound and seek to up their purchases of textiles and apparel, U.S. companies have an opportunity to expand internationally, it said. The report highlights the 15 largest export markets for U.S. sales of yarns, fabrics and finished products to mills, processors, assemblers and consumers. It also provides economic and trade information for each market, and detailed data on export trends and processes. The guide also profiles the five fastest-growing markets for U.S. textile and apparel exports.