Chile will no longer host APEC meeting, raising questions about the status of phase one of the U.S.-China trade agreement, which was expected to be signed during the November summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. The country will not be hosting the trade summit due to recent violent protests and social unrest, Chile's President Sebastian Pinera announced Oct. 30, according to Reuters. The summit was expected to feature a meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping after Trump said the two sides were “ahead of schedule” on the agreement’s first phase (see 1910280026). China said the deal’s first phase was “basically completed.”
While small businesses face several common export obstacles -- including foreign regulations and complex customs procedures -- there is “tremendous opportunity” for export growth, according to a study released Oct. 30 by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Google.
Four Republican members of the House Financial Services Committee praised the Treasury Department’s proposed regulations for the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act but also criticized several key areas, according to comments released Oct. 29. The comments were signed by Reps. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., Andy Barr, R-Ky., French Hill, R-Ark., and Steve Stivers, R-Ohio.
William Sjoberg joined Clark Hill in the International Trade Law practice, the firm said in a news release. Sjoberg previously was a partner in the trade practice at Porter Wright.
The United Kingdom Department for International Trade released a guidance on Oct. 28 on how its Trade Remedies Investigation Directorate conducts dumping, subsidization and safeguarding reviews. The guidance describes “the processes and methodology” behind the TRID’s “preliminary decisions,” the DIT said, and covers how the agency calculates injury margins and determines market cost adjustments, and how long the investigations usually take.
South Korea and New Zealand plan to strengthen economic cooperation, including in trade, South Korea’s foreign affairs ministry said in an Oct. 29 press release, according to an unofficial translation. The announcement came after ministers from the two countries met in South Korea, which also featured talks on sanctions. New Zealand said it is working to “implement [United Nations] sanctions” toward North Korea and both sides agreed to continue implementing measures by the UN Security Council and the Human Rights Council.
Macau, a special administrative region of China, will ease import restrictions on certain Japanese food products, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Oct. 28, according to an unofficial translation. The move will lift restrictions from certain vegetables, fruits and dairy products, Japan said.
Japan will amend its import and export procedures for certain animals and plants after August amendments to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Japan is advising traders to refer to the changes, which will take effect Nov. 26, before “proceeding with import/export procedures,” according to an unofficial translation of an Oct. 29 notice and press release. The notice contains information on how the changes will affect imports and exports of certain plants and animals before the effective date, and which products will be affected.
India’s Ministry of Defense recently issued two open general export licenses for exports of certain parts and components and exports of intra-company transfer of technology. Both licenses authorize exports to Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Britain, the U.S., Canada, Italy, Poland and Mexico.
China plans to eliminate restrictions on some foreign investments and hopes to continue addressing the issue in future trade negotiations, Chinese officials said during an Oct. 29 press conference, according to an unofficial translation.