The U.S. Council for International Business is seeking to secure an investor-state dispute settlement mechanism in the Trans-Pacific Partnership investment provisions. USCIB and its partners in other business associations believe that a rules-based system for cross-border investment, backed by an investor-state dispute mechanism, provides the certainty that global business requires to lower risk and operate more efficiently in today’s global economy. According to USCIB, all TPP negotiating parties except Australia appear to favor inclusion of investor-state mechanism. Consequently, USCIB is seeking to work with the Australian business community to promote greater awareness of the benefits of such a mechanism for trade and investment across the trans-Pacific region.
The Department of Energy is issuing technical corrections to its March 2011 final rule that made amendments to and reorganized its existing certification, compliance, and enforcement regulations for certain consumer products and commercial and industrial equipment covered under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, as amended. DOE states that language was inadvertently deleted from the rule and certain provisions contained erroneous internal cross references. The technical corrections are effective May 2, 2011.
The Department of Energy is issuing technical corrections to its March 2011 final rule regarding certification, compliance, and enforcement regulations for consumer products and commercial and industrial equipment. In the final rule, DOE adopted regulations that provided for sampling plans used in determining compliance with existing standards, manufacturer submission of compliance statements and certification reports, maintenance of compliance records, and the availability of enforcement actions. DOE states that language was inadvertently deleted from the original rule and certain provisions contained erroneous internal cross references. The original final rule (FR Pub 03/07/11) is available here.
The International Trade Administration has issued a Federal Register notice announcing that it has initiated antidumping duty investigations on galvanized steel wire from China and Mexico, and a countervailing duty investigation on galvanized steel wire from China (A-570-975, A-201-840, and C-570-976).
The International Trade Administration has issued a Federal Register notice announcing that it has initiated an antidumping duty investigation on certain steel nails from the United Arab Emirates (A-520-804).
On April 5, 2011, Secretary of Transportation LaHood released a report highlighting the Department of Transportation's accomplishments and impediments to developing the U.S. marine highway system. The report also notes industry suggestions to encourage its use, such as a shipper tax credit and waiver of the Harbor Maintenance Tax.
The Federal Maritime Commission has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking on possible amendments to its Rules of Practice and Procedure to update and clarify its rules, and to reduce the burden on parties in proceedings before the FMC.