Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Census Announces Positive June 2009 Trade Figures

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced on August 12, 2009 that total June exports of $125.8 billion and imports of $152.8 billion resulted in a goods and services deficit of $27.0 billion, up from $26.0 billion in May. June exports were $2.4 billon more than May exports of $123.4 billion. June imports were $3.5 billion more than May imports of $149.3 billion. Commerce Secretary Lockestated "While we are seeing signs that the worst part of the recent economic downturn is behind us, we still face challenges to resuscitate domestic manufacturing and expand U.S. exports." Fact sheet availablehere. (News Release, dated 08/12/09, available at http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/international/trade/tradnewsrelease.htm)

2. Freight Transportation Services Index Remains at Lowest Level in 12 Years

The Department of Transportation reports that the Freight Transportation Services Index was unchanged in June from its May level, remaining at its lowest level in 12 years. (Press Release, dated 08/12/09, available at http://www.bts.gov/press_releases/2009/bts038_09/html/bts038_09.html)

3. FMC to Meet on August 19th

The Federal Maritime Commission will be holding a partially closed meeting on August 19, 2009 in Washington, DC. During the closed session, the FMC plans to discuss, among other things, the Los Angeles/Long Beach Clean Trucks Agreement (Docket No. 08-05). (Notice, posted 08/13/09, available at http://www.fmc.gov/home/August192009CommissionMeeting.asp)

4. U.S. and Mexico Announce Initiative to Bolster Investigative Cooperation

On August 13, 2009, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano, Mexican government officials, and other U.S. government officials signed a Letter of Intent to develop a coordinated and intelligence-driven response to the threat of cross border smuggling and trafficking of weapons and ammunition. DHS press release, dated 08/13/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1250180573940.shtm.)

5. FTC Says 4 Firms' "Bamboo-based" Textiles Actually Made of Rayon, Are Not "Green"

The Federal Trade Commission has charged four sellers of clothing and other textile products (Sami Designs, LLC, d/b/a as Jonno; CSE, Inc., d/b/a Mad Mod; Pure Bamboo, LLC; and The M Group) with deceptively labeling and advertising these items as made of bamboo fiber, when they are made of rayon. The complaints also charge the companies with making false and unsubstantiated "green" claims. (Notice, dated 08/11/09, available at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/08/bamboo.shtm)

6. CPSC Proposes Rule on Periodic Audits of 3rd Party Conformity Assessment Bodies

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is proposing to issue regulations establishing requirements for the periodic audit of third party conformity assessment bodies as a condition for their continuing accreditation, as required by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. Comments are due by October 13, 2009. (D/N CPSC-2009-0061, FR Pub 08/13/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-19443.pdf)

7. CPSC Posts Names of Companies With ATV Action Plans

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has posted the names of companies that either filed all-terrain vehicle (ATV) Action Plans and/or Letters of Undertaking with the CPSC prior to August 14, 2008 or filed ATV Action Plans on or after August 14, 2008 that have been approved by the CPSC. (The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 requires each ATV to be subject to an ATV action plan filed with the CSPC before August 14, 2008 or subsequently filed with and approved by the CPSC.) (List, updated 08/11/09, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/atvactionplan.html)

8. State Dept Press Briefing on Implementation of UN Resolution on N. Korea

The State Department has posted a press briefing by its coordinator for implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874 on North Korea. (Transcript, dated 08/13/09, available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/aug/127860.htm.)

9. BIS Materials Technical Advisory Committee Meeting Postponed

The Bureau of Industry and Security is announcing the postponement of its Materials Technical Advisory Committee meeting that had been scheduled for August 13, 2009, in Washington, D.C. A new meeting date will be announced. (FR Pub 08/13/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-19436.pdf)

10. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recall

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

(FMC notices, FR Pub 08/12/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-19360.pdf)