In response to a question about the Buy American policy posed at a press conference in Canada, Secretary of State Clinton stated that the Buy American provision is not being enforced in any way that is inconsistent with U.S. international trade obligations. She acknowledged the concerns that there may be elements of the international trade obligations or absences of agreements that should be looked at so that the U.S. can promote more procurement and other kinds of trade interactions and assured Canadian officials that the U.S. will take a very close look at that. (Press briefing, dated 06/13/09, available at http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2009a/06/124717.htm.)
The U.S.-China Business Council has posted a press release noting that despite the global economic downturn, 85% of congressional districts increased their exports to China in 2008. The council also posted a mapthat shows U.S. exports to China by state and district (must scroll down). (Press Release, dated 06/11/09, available at http://www.uschina.org/public/documents/2009/06/congressional-district-exports.html)
China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine has issued a notice announcing an annual supervision examination on designated accreditation bodies, labs and factory inspectors, as well as spot tests on CCC licensed products which include toys, household appliances, information technical products, motorcycles, lighting, latex products, coffers against theft and plant protection machineries. (Notice, dated 06/11/09, available at http://english.aqsiq.gov.cn/NewsRelease/NewsUpdates/200906/t20090611_118033.htm)
The Office of Textiles and Apparel reports that effective June 1, 2009, China's Value Added Tax (VAT) export rebate (duty drawback rate) for most footwear, headgear, and travel goods increased two percentage points to 15 percent. Certain polymers, silk products, cotton waste, and umbrella goods are also affected by China's most recent decree. (Notice, dated 06/09/09, available at http://web.ita.doc.gov/otexa/hotiss.nsf/7bfa72c94f543da685256e5b00498a4d/68f0c4d32b725d10852575d0004841c8?OpenDocument)
The European Commission's Taxation and Customs Union Webpage on Electronic Customs has been updated. The webpage gives an overview of the major projects making up the electronic customs initiative, including the Single Electronic Access Point and Single Window, the Automated Import System, the Automated Export System, etc. (Notice, available at http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/policy_issues/electronic_customs_initiative/it_projects/index_en.htm)
The State Department has issued an amended Presidential Permit for the international bridge known as ''Anzalduas Bridge'' near McAllen, Texas. The amendment removes an article in the original permit that limited initial operating hours of the bridge to twelve hours per day. With this restriction removed, the Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Customs and Border Patrol, working with local and Mexican authorities, can set the bridge's hours of operation in accordance with demand and available resources. (FR Pub 06/08/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-13336.pdf )
The World Customs Organization will hold a "Coordinated Border Management" forum on June 29-30, 2009 in Brussels, Belgium. The inter-agency and business forum will focus on the potential for establishing an effective and efficient coordinated border management system. (Notice, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/event.htm)
On June 4, 2009, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano announced fiscal year 2009 Operation Stonegarden grants-totaling $60 million-for 13 border states and the Territory of Puerto Rico to enhance the capabilities of federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to jointly secure U.S. borders and territories. The 2009 allocations reflect President Obama's increased emphasis on the Southwest border in response to cartel violence along the U.S.-Mexico border. Based on greater risk, heavy cross-border traffic and border-related threat intelligence, nearly 76 percent of Operation Stonegarden funds will go to Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas-up from 59 percent in fiscal year 2008. (DHS press release, dated 06/04/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1244070019405.shtm.)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted updated versions of Appendices 4 and 5 to the National Agriculture Release Program (NARP) guidelines, which list commodities eligible for NARP. NARP provides a methodology for evaluating high-volume agriculture imports that are low-risk for the introduction of plant pests and plant diseases into the U.S.
According to Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service sources, APHIS is now working on processing the applications it received for participation in the Lacey Act Blanket Declaration Pilot Program. APHIS has not yet given CBP a list of those that have chosen not to participate in the program and whose Line Release/BRASS C4 codes will be deactivated. (CBP was not expected to deactivate any codes until it got APHIS' list.) (See ITT's Online Archives or 05/29/09 news, 09052905, for BP summary announcing that pilot program submissions were to be post marked by May 30, 2009.)