Ed Greenberg, a partner with GKG Law who also serves as general and transportation counsel to the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, is retiring after more than 30 years, the NCBFAA said in an email to members. Greenberg “will finish 2020 with the Association, and transition into retirement at the start of 2021,” the trade group said. “NCBFAA will be continuing on with GKG for the immediate future and doing” a request for proposals “for both positions” in 2021.
A former negotiator on the phase one China deal, Clete Willems, said his goal in publishing a report on how to reform the World Trade Organization is to move the conversation beyond how to restore the status quo in Geneva.
A former U.S. ambassador to the European Union and the German envoy to the U.S. said a united front on China's trade distortions could make it more painful for that country to continue its current industrial policies. “With the rise of China and the relative decline of Western power it should be in our shared interest to use each other as an asset to leverage our power,” said Emily Haber, Germany's ambassador.
The Canada government issued the following trade-related notices as of Oct. 19 (some may also be given separate headlines):
China said it may trade arms with Iran due now that the United Nations arms embargo has expired. It also criticized the U.S. for saying it will sanction countries that trade with Iran. “This is an important moment in the implementation process of the [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action],” a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Oct. 19. “China will continue handling arms trade in a prudent manner.”
The State Department approved a potential military sale to Romania worth about $300 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Oct. 16. Under the sale, Romania would get two Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defense Systems and related equipment. The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missile and Defense.
The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America issued a survey Oct. 19 seeking industry feedback on the potential impact of eliminating filing requirements for shipments between the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Census Bureau issued a pre-rule for the change in September and said it is seeking other ways to collect data normally obtained through the Electronic Export Information filings (see 2009160033). NCBFAA said the impact of removing the requirements “may be negligible for some companies but may have a significant effect on others that handle traffic to these points.” It is asking for help to determine whether “it will be appropriate for NCBFAA to take a position on this matter.”
Ten people were charged for their alleged involvement in a $50 million Russian smuggling scheme, which included illegally exported electronics and violations of export filing requirements, the Justice Department said Oct. 19. The U.S. arrested eight people -- Akmal Asadov, Sayuz Daibagya, Anton Perevoznikov, Shohruh Saidov, Marat Shadkhin, Kirill Sokhonchuk, Zokir Iskanderov and Azamat Bobomurodov -- while two others remain at large.
The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing new reporting requirements for five chemicals under significant new use rules, it said in a notice released Oct. 19. The proposed SNURs would require notification to EPA at least 90 days in advance of a new use by importers, manufacturers or processors. Importers of chemicals subject to these proposed SNURs would need to certify their compliance with the SNUR requirements should these proposed rules be finalized, EPA said. Exporters of these chemicals would become subject to export notification requirements. Comments on the proposed SNURs are due Nov. 19. The SNURs would cover the following chemical substances:
The U.S. extended by one year, until Oct. 21, 2021, a national emergency authorizing sanctions against narcotic traffickers “centered” in Colombia, the White House said Oct. 19. The White House said the traffickers “continue to threaten the national security, foreign policy, and economy” of the U.S.