The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a notice correcting the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) in order to re-include certain solid wood packing material (SWPM) regulations for China and Hong Kong that were accidentally removed while still in effect, when the CFR was annually updated on January 1, 2005.
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council has issued projected quota levels and embargo dates, should CITA impose safeguard quotas on China origin textiles and apparel in categories 340/640, 345/645/646, 349/649, 350/650, 620, 638/639 and 647/648, as petitioned (requested) by the U.S. textile industry. For example, for China 340/640, the projected safeguard quota level is estimated to be approximately 2,000,000 dozen, and once implemented (estimated to be June or July 2005), is estimated to embargo in approximately three months. (HKTDC Alert, dated 04/29/05, available at http://www.tdctrade.com/alert/us0508.htm )
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports that the World Bank has urged China and Malaysia to let their currencies appreciate, warning that their fixed exchange-rate systems are attracting the kind of currency speculation that ignited the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s. (WSJ Pub 04/28/05, www.wallstreetjournal.com)
The Journal of Commerce reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has unveiled Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Plus, which will provide participants with a "green lane" (i.e., no inspections upon arrival and immediate release of cargo). However, the article notes that even if importers obtain immediate release from CBP, other government agencies, including the FDA and USDA, can hold up cargo for hours, days, weeks, or months with little evidence of a violation. (JoC, dated 04/11/05, www.joc.com)
The Washington File reports that Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance William Lash has stated that stronger punishments and more vigorous enforcement are necessary to stem a growing epidemic of infringement of intellectual property rights (IPR) in China. According to Lash, the U.S. has damages of $20 to 24 billion a year from piracy in China, with the situation getting worse. (Washington File Pub 04/14/05, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/eap/Archive/2005/Apr/14-581627.html)
A Wall Street Journal News Roundup article states that a surge in textile exports helped widen China's trade surplus again last month, likely leading the U.S. to increase political pressure on China to let its currency appreciate. The article states that in the first quarter, China's exports surged 34.9% to $155.89 billion from a year earlier. (WSJ, dated 04/12/05, www.wsj.com )
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a proposed rule which would amend 9 CFR Parts 93, 94, and 98 on the importation of swine and swine products from the European Union (EU).
The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has posted to its Web site the Report of the North American Chief Veterinary Officers on Harmonization of a BSE Strategy.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a proposed rule to amend its regulations at 7 CFR Part 319 regarding the importation of fruits and vegetables. Comments on the proposed rule are due by May 31, 2005.
The Journal of Commerce reports that customs brokers are often caught in an awkward position between shippers and carriers when storage fees are charged, but brokers are convinced that technical issues related to demurrage and detention fees can be worked out or at least clarified if carriers and brokers discuss their operational methods. (JoC, dated 03/28/05, www.joc.com)