Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Commerce Secretary Identifies 5 Trade Agenda Priorities

At a meeting in Washington, D.C., Commerce Secretary Locke listed his five priorities for improving the trade fundamentals of the U.S. as (1) enhancing trade promotion and the support we provide to U.S. exporters, (2) pursuing visa reform, (3) undertaking a review of export controls, (4) strengthening international intellectual property protections, and (5) promoting more intergovernmental cooperation in support of U.S. exporters. (07/22/09 Commerce Secretary speech available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/SecretarySpeeches/PROD01_008221 )

2. DHS Status Report on Fulfilling 9/11 Commission Recommendations

On July 22, 2009, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano issued a report detailing the progress that DHS has made on a range of 9/11 Commission recommendations - providing examples of new policies, initiatives and grants while reflecting DHS' focus on enhanced science and technology, efficiency and fiscal responsibility and reinvigorated coordination with state, local, tribal and international partners. (DHS press release, dated 07/22/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1248275535550.shtm.)

3. WTO Issues 2009 World Trade Report, Lamy Cautions Against Excessive Use of AD Duties, Etc.

The World Trade Organization has issued its World Trade Report 2009. At the launch of the report in Singapore on July 22, 2009, WTO Director General Lamy stated that well-balanced trade contingency measures like anti-dumping duties or safeguards act as "safety valves" to help WTO members deal with a variety of unanticipated market situations; but "they need to be used with care... especially so in times of crisis." Lamy's statement is available here. (Report, available at http://www.wto.org/english/res_e/publications_e/wtr09_e.htm)

4. Australian Wool Innovation Says Number of Mulesed Sheep Has Dropped

According to a letter from Australian Wool Innovation to various U.S. associations, the percentage of Australian sheep subjected to the controversial practice called mulesing has decreased significantly. The letter states that a 2004 survey indicated that 5% of lambs would non- mulesed, but that five years later it showed that 54% of lambs would be non-mulesed. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/29/08 news, 08082925, for BP summary of an international retailer boycotting Australian Merino wool from mulesed sheep.) (Letter, dated 06/19/09,available by emailing a request to documents@brokerpower.com)

5. U.S. to Open Mission to ASEAN to Deepen Engagement w. Region

The Secretariat of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has announced that the U.S. will soon open a Mission to ASEAN in Jakarta to further deepen its commitment and engagement with the region. U.S. Secretary of State Clinton also issued a statement on the issue. (Press Release, dated 07/22/09, available at http://www.aseansec.org/PR-42AMM-US-Open-ASEAN-Mission.pdf and State Dept. press release, dated 07/22/09, available at http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2009a/july/126320.htm)

6. CPSC to Vote on Accreditation of 7 "Firewalled" Labs to Perform CPSIA Testing

The Commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission are scheduled to vote by July 24, 2009 on accreditation of seven laboratories as "firewalled" third-party conformity assessment bodies. (Firewalled labs are those owned, managed, or controlled by a private manufacturer or private labeler but that comply with specified conditions that "firewall" them against undue influence.) Accreditation would allow these labs to perform specified product testing required by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. (CPSC notice, posted 07/21/09) available at http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia09/brief/sevenlabs.pdf)

7. DOE Final Rule on Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Boilers, Air Conditioners, and Heat Pumps

The Department of Energy has issued a final rule, effective September 21, 2009, which amends the energy conservation standards for commercial packaged boilers. The final rule also adopts a new energy conservation standard for water-cooled and evaporatively-cooled commercial package air conditioners and heat pumps with a cooling capacity at or above 240,000 Btu/h and less than 760,000 Btu/h at the efficiency levels specified in ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007. The standards for commercial packaged boilers will apply starting on March 2, 2012. The standards for the specified water-cooled and evaporatively-cooled commercial package air conditioners and heat pumps will apply starting on January 10, 2011. (D/N EERE-2008-BT-STD-0013, FR Pub 07/22/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-16774.pdf)

8. GAO Testimony on Trade Advisory System

The Government Accountability Office has posted its testimony entitled, "International Trade: Prior Updates of the Trade Advisory System Offer Insights for Current Review." (Testimony, dated 07/21/09, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09842t.pdf)

9. U.S. Model Bilateral Investment Treaty Review Meeting

The Department of State and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will host a public meeting concerning the U.S. model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) review on July 29, 2009. The Administration is reviewing the U.S. model BIT to ensure that it is consistent with the public interest and the overall U.S. economic agenda. (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/14/09 news, 09071420, for BP summary of Federal Register notice announcing the meeting.)(Press release, dated 07/22/09, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/july/126304.htm.)

10. CPSC Holds Closed Meeting on Compliance Matters

The Consumer Product Safety Commission will be holding a meeting on July 23, 2009 that is closed to the public. During the meeting, staff will brief the Commission on various compliance matters. (FR Pub 07/22/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-17258.pdf)

11. U.S. and Peru Hold Meeting of Forest Sector Subcommittee

On July 15, the U.S. and Peru held the first meeting of the Forest Sector Sub Committee established under the U.S. - Peru Trade Promotion Agreement as a specific forum for the Parties to exchange views and share information on any matter arising under the Annex on Forest Sector Governance. (Press Release, dated 07/21/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/july/-united-states-and-peru-hold-first-meeting-forest-sec)

12. CBSA Statement of Reasons on Initiation of AD Investigation of Certain Steel Plate from Ukraine

Canada Border Services Agency has issued a Statement of Reasons regarding its July 6, 2009 initiation of an investigation on the alleged injurious dumping of certain carbon steel plate and high strength low alloy steel plate originating in or exported from Ukraine. (Statement, dated 07/21/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/i-e/ad1384/ad1384-i09-de-eng.html)

13. 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)

14. Foreign Trade Zone Board Actions and Notices

Application for Reorganization Under Alternative Site Framework:

FTZ 260 - Lubbock, TX

FTZ 39 - Dallas/Fort Worth, TX

Scope Clarification Request:

FTZ 7 - Mayaguez, Puerto Rico; IPR Pharmaceuticals, Inc.