The World Bank reports that the global use of remedy laws such antidumping and countervailing duties, safeguards, and China-specific safeguards increased 52.6% in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the third quarter of 2008. (Notice, dated October 2009, available at http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTPREMNET/Resources/PREMNote144Antidumping.pdf)
The ITA has issued a fact sheet on the 2009 U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT),which will be convened October 28 and 29, 2009 in Hangzhou, China. The fact sheet discusses the background and objectives of the 2009 JCCT, and information on U.S.-China trade flows. The ITA has also issued a press release on the upcoming JCCT, which is available here. (Fact sheet, posted 10/21/09, available at http://www.commerce.gov/s/groups/public/@doc/@os/@opa/documents/content/prod01_008529.pdf)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has announced that it will be holding a second public meeting to discuss the agricultural quarantine and inspection user fee increases scheduled to go into effect on November 1, 2009.
The World Customs Organization states that at the 8th Asia-Europe Customs DGs/Commissioners Meeting held in Greece on October 15-16, 2009, members adopted the ASEM Trade Facilitation Action Plan on Customs Matters (TFAP) for 2010-2012, which includes enhanced dialogue with business and exploration of the possibility to implement pre-arrival and pre-departure security declaration in line with SAFE Framework of Standards. (Report, posted 10/20/09, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/speeches/?v=1&lid=1&cid=2&id=172)
CBP has issued a CSMS message stating that APHIS will be holding a public meeting on October 27, 2009 regarding its interim final rule to amend the user fee regulations by adjusting the fees charged for certain agricultural quarantine and inspection services that are provided in connection with certain commercial vessels, commercial trucks, commercial railroad cars, commercial aircraft, and international airline passengers arriving at ports in the customs territory of the U.S. (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/01/09 news, 09100105, for BP summary that APHIS delayed the user fee increase until November 1, 2009.) (CSMS 09-000330, dated 10/19/09, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17723&page=&srch_argv=09-000330&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby)
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has released the Semi-Annual Report concluding that no major U.S. trading partner met the currency manipulation standards during the most recent reporting period. However, the report notes that the U.S. will continue to work with China both in the G-20 and the bilateral Strategic and Economic Dialogue to pursue policies that permit greater flexibility of the exchange rate and lead to more sustainable and balanced trade and growth. (Report, posted 10/15/09, available at http://www.treasury.gov/offices/international-affairs/economic-exchange-rates/)
The International Trade Commission has issued a notice of an earlier-than-expected transmittal of its report to Congress regarding the use of the ''first sale rule'' for customs valuation of U.S. imports. As ITC received the final report from U.S. Customs and Border Protection on September 25, 2009, it now expects to deliver its report to Congress by December 23, 2009. (Investigation No. 332-505, FR Pub 10/15/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24793.pdf)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a final rule which removes compliance date provisions that have already occurred, for various sections of the CBP regulations pertaining to the mandatory advance electronic transmission of in-bound and out-bound cargo information. (FR Pub 10/14/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24668.pdf)
The Department of Homeland Security has granted a limited nationwide waiver of the Buy American provision contained in Section 1605 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, provided that at least 95 percent of the costs of each Transportation Security Administration Electronic Baggage Screening Program project will comply with Section 1605(a). (FR Pub 10/13/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24608.pdf)
CBP has posted a notice on the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's announcement regarding an increase to their fees charged for certain agricultural quarantine and inspection (AQI) services. These rate changes will become effective November 1, 2009. (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/01/09 news, 09100105, for BP summary of APHIS delaying the AQI user fee increase until November 1st.) (Notice, dated 10/06/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/user_fee/2010_fee_increase.xml)