Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Trade Groups Encourage President to Maintain Close Commercial Ties Between U.S. and Honduras

On July 9, 2009, seven trade groups sent a letter to President Obama asking that as the Administration addresses the political situation in Honduras, it do everything possible to maintain the close commercial ties and economic engagement between the U.S. and Honduras. (Letter, dated 07/09/09, available at http://www.apparelandfootwear.org/letters/caftahondurasltrassns090709.pdf.)

2. U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue to be Held July 27-28th

The U.S. Departments of Treasury and State today announced that the first joint meeting of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue will be held in Washington, D.C. from July 27-28, 2009. The Dialogue will focus on addressing the challenges and opportunities that both countries face on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global areas of immediate and long-term strategic and economic interests. This first meeting of the Dialogue will also set the stage for intensive, ongoing and future bilateral cooperative mechanisms. (State Dept press release, dated 07/13/09, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/july/125985.htm.)

3. DHS Secretary Observes Maritime Security Response Team Demo

On July 13, 2009, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano visited the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Frank Drew in Portsmouth, VA, to discuss maritime security and view a demonstration by a Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT) - a Coast Guard counterterrorism unit with advanced interdiction capabilities. (DHS press release, dated 07/13/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1247515015766.shtm.)

4. China Would Oppose Proposed U.S. Action on Tires as Protectionist

China's Embassy in the U.S. states that China's government "strongly opposes" the proposed limitation on Chinese tire imports (and the International Trade Commission's recommendation to increase tariffs on such products), as such moves are a sign of trade protectionism. An unnamed official with the Bureau of Fair Trade for Imports and Exports states that China will urge the U.S. government not to take the measures. (Notice, dated 07/08/09, available at http://us2.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/chinanews/200907/20090706392434.html)

5. Freight Transportation Services Index Fell 0.6 Percent from April to May

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that the Freight Transportation Services Index fell 0.6 percent in May from its April level, declining for the third consecutive month to the lowest level in 12 years. The May decline was the smallest of the three consecutive decreases. (Press Release, dated 07/09/09, available at http://www.bts.gov/press_releases/2009/bts033_09/html/bts033_09.html)

6. May Data Shows Goods & Services Trade Deficit Lowest in a Decade

The May 2009 data for U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services showed that U.S. exports increased by 1.6 percent to $123.3 billion since April 2009. Imports decreased 0.6 percent to $149.3 billion. The goods and services trade deficit has fallen to the lowest level in this decade. Overall, the trade deficit declined by 9.8 percent during the month. Fact Sheet available here. Census Bureau announcement on the data available here. (Commerce press Release, dated, 07/10/09, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_008171)

7. China, Thailand Sign Inspection and Quarantine Protocol for Fruit

China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine's Minister Yong and Thailand's Foreign Minister Piromya jointly signed the Protocol on Quarantine and Inspection of Thailand Fruits Exported to China via Third Countries on June 24th. Signing of the protocol will allow Thailand fruits to enter China via land routes through third countries (Laos and Vietnam). (Notice, dated 07/10/0, available at http://english.aqsiq.gov.cn/NewsRelease/NewsUpdates/200907/t20090710_121389.htm)

8. AES Broadcast on Addition of Ohio Port of Export in AES

Census has issued an Automated Export System broadcast announcing that the following port of export has been added in AES:

Port Code: 4197

Port Name: DHL, Cincinnati, OH

Acceptable Mode of Transportation: Air

(AES broadcast 2009028, dated 07/13/09, available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.)

9. Canadian International Trade Tribunal Issues Decisions, Inquiry, Etc.

In the July 11, 2009 edition of the Canada Gazette, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal issued the following notices:

Aluminum Extrusions - Decision

Appeal No. AP-2008-010 - Decision

Information processing and related telecommunications services - Inquiry

Mattress innerspring units - Determination

10. Canada, WCO, Haiti Sign Memorandum on Customs Capacity Building

The Canada Border Services Agency has announced that CBSA's Jean Jacques Valentin, the Director General of the Administration gnrale des douanes of Haiti, and Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO) signed a memorandum of cooperation on capacity building. (News Release, dated 07/10/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/media/release-communique/2009/2009-07-10-eng.html)

11. FWS Asks for Comments on Upcoming CITES Agenda

The Fish and Wildlife Service is requesting comments by September 11, 2009, on the proposed resolutions, decisions, amendments and agenda items the U.S. is considering submitting for consideration at the fifteenth regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES, CoP15), which is tentatively scheduled to be held in Doha, Qatar, March 13-25, 2010. (FR Pub, dated 07/13/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-16410.pdf)

12. DDTC Announces Consent Agreement for Air Shunt's Unauthorized Exports, Etc.

DDTC has announced that Air Shunt Instruments, Inc. has entered in a consent agreement to settle 4 violations of the AECA and ITAR in connection with unauthorized exports of defense articles and the misrepresentation and omission of facts on an export control document. The proposed charging letter, consent agreement, and order are available. (Notice, dated, 07/10/09, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/)

13. DDTC Notice on Change from De Havilland Aerospace to Boeing Aerostructures

Effective immediately, DDTC states that Hawker De Havilland Aerospace Pty Limited will change as follows: Boeing Aerostructures Australia Pty Limited. Due to the volume of authorizations requiring amendments to reflect this change, DDTC is waiving the requirement for amendments to change currently approved authorizations if a copy of this website notice is attached. See notice for further details. (Notice, dated, 07/10/09, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/)

14. DDTC Notice on Change from MDA Lts. To MDA Systems

Effective immediately, DDTC states that MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates, Ltd. (MDA Ltd.) will change as follows: MDA Systems Ltd. Due to the volume of authorizations requiring amendments to reflect this change, DDTC is waiving the requirement for amendments to change currently approved authorizations if a copy of this website notice is attached. See notice for further details. (Notice, dated 07/10/09, available at http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/)

15. Foreign Trade Zone Board Actions

The FTZB has announced or taken the following actions:

FTZ 73 - Baltimore/Washington International Airport, MD; Application for Subzone: IKEA Wholesale, Inc. (Home furnishings and accessories), Perryville, MD.

FTZ 77 - Grant of Authority For Subzone Status: Black & Decker Corp., (Power Tools, Lawn and Garden Tools and Home Products Warehousing and Distribution), Jackson, TN.

16. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published notice of the following voluntary recalls:

(CPSC recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prereljul09.html)

17. Foreign Agriculture Service Issues Five Market and Trade Data Reports

On July 10, 2009, the FAS issued reports with the following titles:

Fresh Tomato Trade is Growing

Argentina's Role Shrinks in the World Wheat Export Market

China Rice Production Increases for Sixth Straight Year

Soybean Stocks in China Surge, but Plunge in Exporting Countries

Cotton: U.S. Expands Share of China's Shrinking Market

18. Revised FDA Import Alerts

The Food and Drug Administration has posted revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:

Surgeon's and or Patient Examination Gloves

Aquaculture Seafood Products Due to Unapproved Drugs

Surgical Instruments From Pakistan

Refrigerated (Not Frozen) Vacuum Packaged or Modified Atmosphere Packaged Raw Fish and Fishery Products Due to the Potential for Clostridium Botulinum Toxin Production

Food Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella

All Tamarind Products (Fresh and/or Processed) From All Shippers From All Countries Due to Filth

Seafood Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella

Processed Seafood and Analogue Seafood (Surimi) Products for L. Monocytogenes

Fish And Fishery Products Where The Foreign Processor Has Failed To Comply With Seafood HACCP, 21 CFR 123

Processed Products For Pesticides

Raw And Cooked Shrimp From India

Devices W/O Approved PMA'S or IDE'S and Other Devices Not Equivalent or No 510K

19. Agency Seeks Comments on Information Collections

Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):

Agency Information Collection Comments Due

(Information collection notices are hyperlinked to agency name.)