Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Brazilian President Proposes Mercosur-China Free Trade Agreement

The Journal of Commerce Online (JoC Online) reports that the President of Brazil has proposed a free trade agreement (FTA) between China and the Mercosur trade bloc (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay) aimed at lessening dependence on trade with the U.S. The Brazilian President also proposed expanding commerce between Mercosur, China, India, and African countries. (JoC Online Pub 05/25/04, www.joc.com)

2. U.S. Agricultural Exports are Forecast to Reach Record High in FY 2004

According to the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. agricultural exports are forecast to increase by more than $5 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2004. Such exports are expected to total a record $61.5 billion for FY 2004. (Washington File Pub 05/27/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=May&x=20040527162618AKllennoCcM0.3207514&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)

3. Railroad Administration Increases Penalties for Hazmat/Safety Violations

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a final rule, effective June 28, 2004, that increases the minimum civil penalty to $275 (from $250) and the maximum civil penalty to $32,500 (from $27,500) for violations of federal hazardous material (hazmat) transportation laws and regulations. FRA notes that these increased penalties mirror those of the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA). (See ITT's Online Archives or 09/23/03 news, 03092320, for BP summary of RSPA's final rule increasing these penalties.)(D/N FRA-2004-17530, Notice No. 1; FR Pub 05/28/04; available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-11964.pdf)

The FRA has also issued a final rule, effective June 28, 2004 (except for certain amendments effective December 18, 2004), that increases the minimum civil penalty to $550 (from $500) and the maximum civil penalty where a grossly negligent violation or pattern of repeated violations has created an imminent hazard of death or injury or has actually caused death or injury to $27,000 (from $22,000) for violations of railroad safety statutes and regulations under FRA's authority. (D/N FRA-2004-17529, Notice No. 1; FR Pub 05/28/04; available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-11965.pdf)

4. State Dept Adds Organizations, Aliases to the Terrorist Exclusion List

According to a State Department press release, the State Department has issued a notice, effective April 29, 2004, that designates ten additional groups as terrorist organizations for immigration purposes, thus placing them on the Terrorist Exclusion List (TEL). As a result of those designations, the U.S. government excludes members and those providing material support to such entities from the U.S. The press release also states that the State Department notice adds aliases to the designations of two organizations currently on the TEL. (State Dept press release, dated 04/29/04, available at www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2004/31943.htm and Federal Register notice (FR Pub 04/29/04, Public Notice 4697, available athttp://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-9725.pdf.)