Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Suggests Border Improvements

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico has posted Ambassador Pascual's remarks before the AmCham National Convention in which he suggested "extending" the U.S.-Mexico border to transit hubs throughout Mexico and the U.S., moving security and customs operations to these decentralized points, and creating multiple customs points in certain cities using pre-clearance, automation resources and GPS technology. (Remarks, posted 03/10/10, available at http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/Ambassador/A100310AmCham.html)

2. President Outlines NEI Plans in Speech at Ex-Im Bank Annual Conference

In a speech at the Export-Import Bank's Annual Conference, the President discussed his plans for the National Export Initiative, including (i) substantially increasing access to trade financing for businesses that want to export; (ii) going to bat for U.S. businesses and workers; (iii) unleashing a battery of comprehensive and coordinated efforts to promote new markets and new opportunities for American exporters; and (iv) making sure U.S. companies have free and fair access to foreign markets. (Remarks, dated 03/11/10, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-export-import-banks-annual-conference)

3. Goods and Services Deficit Decreased in January 2010

The U.S. international trade deficit in goods and services decreased to $37.3 billion in January from $39.9 billion (revised) in December, as imports decreased more than exports. (Notice, posted 03/11/10, available at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/data/)

4. ITC FR Notice on Investigation of Possible Modification to Bahrain FTA Rules of Origin

The International Trade Commission has issued a Federal Register notice announcing its institution of the investigation, "Certain Combed Cotton Yarns: Effect of Modification of U.S.-Bahrain FTA Rules Of Origin." Written comments are due by April 29, 2010. The ITC will submit its report to the U.S. Trade Representative by July 12, 2010. (FR Pub 03/11/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-5218.pdf)

5. ITA Announces April 20th Exporter Textile Advisory Committee Meeting

The International Trade Administration is announcing an open meeting of the Exporters' Textile Advisory Committee on April 20, 2010 in Washington, DC. The Committee provides advice and guidance to Commerce officials on the identification and surmounting of barriers to the expansion of textile exports, and on methods of encouraging textile firms to participate in export expansion. (FR Pub 03/12/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-5475.pdf)

6. ITA Receives Application for Export Trade Certificate of Review

The International Trade Administration has received an application for an Export Trade Certificate of Review from EFS International Corporation dba EFS Global Trade and Export to engage in export trade facilitation services (as they relate to the export of products, services, and technology rights). (FR Pub 03/12/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-5388.pdf)

7. FMC Cancels its March 17th Meeting

The Federal Maritime Commission's meeting scheduled for March 17, 2010 has been cancelled. (Notice, posted 03/12/10, available at http://www.fmc.gov/home/March172010MeetingCancellation.asp)

8. CPSC Posts Draft Proposed Rule on Bassinet/Cradle Standards

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has posted the draft proposed rule on safety standards for bassinets and cradles to be discussed during the Commissioner's March 17, 2010 open meeting. (Rule, posted 03/10/10, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia10/brief/bassinets.pdf)

9. CPSC Announces March 17th Closed Compliance Meeting

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a closed Sunshine Act meeting on March 17, 2010, in which the staff will brief the Commissioners on various compliance matters. (FR Pub 03/12/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-5550.pdf)

10. OFAC Publishes Name of One Unblocked Individual under Narcotics Traffickers EO

The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the name of one individual whose property and interests in property have been unblocked pursuant to Executive Order 12978, "Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions With Significant Narcotics Traffickers," effective March 2, 2010. (FR Pub 03/12/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-4902.pdf)

11. OFAC Publishes Names of One Unblocked Individual, One Entity Under Cuban Assets Regulations

The Office of Foreign Assets Control is publishing the name of one individual and one entity whose property and interests in property have been unblocked pursuant to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations. (FR Pub 03/12/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-4901.pdf)

12. State Dept Determines Non-Lethal Military Assistance May be Provided to Southern Sudan

The State Department has determined that provision to the Government of Southern Sudan of non-lethal military assistance, military education and training, and defense services controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations is in the national interest of the U.S. and that such assistance may be provided pursuant to section 7070(f)(5) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2010. (Public Notice 6919, FR Pub 03/12/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-5496.pdf)

13. President Continues Iran Emergency for an Additional Year

The President has announced that he is continuing for one year the national emergency with respect to Iran because the actions and policies of the Government of Iran continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the U.S. (Notice, dated 03/10/10, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/notice-continuation-president-regarding-iran)

14. State Dept Releases 2009 Country Human Rights Reports

On March 11, 2010, the State Department announced the release of the 2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. According to the State Department, these reports are a comprehensive record of the condition of human rights around the world. (Reports, posted 03/11/10, available at http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2010/03/138241.htm)

15. WTO Agriculture Committee Moves to Make Discussions More Public

The World Trade Organization's Agriculture Committee has moved to make members' exchanges more readily available to the public. Therefore, the Committee notes that in its March 10, 2010 meeting, there were exchanges on the European Union's revised commitments due to its addition of new members, concerns about the EU increasing its sugar exports, etc. (Notice, dated 03/10/10, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news10_e/ag_com_10mar10_e.htm)

16. WTO Updates 2010 Program of Meetings

The World Trade Organization has updated its 2010 program of meetings. (Program, dated 03/12/10, available at http://www.wto.org/meets_public/meets_e.pdf)

17. EC Defines Its Positions for March 2010 CITES Conference

The European Council has adopted the European Union positions on proposals submitted to the 15th conference of the parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to take place March 13-25, 2010. (Notice, dated 03/12/10, available at http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/envir/113325.pdf)

18. Forecasts Show EU on Track to Meet 20% Renewable Energy Target

The European Commission states that the European Union is forecast to meet and even slightly surpass its target to consume 20 per cent of its energy from renewable energy by 2020. (Press release, dated 03/11/10, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/265&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

19. 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/prerelmar10.html)

20. APHIS Agricultural Clearance PPQ Manual Updated

On March 10, 2010, APHIS updated the Manual for Agricultural Clearance. The manual provides CBP personnel working at airport and maritime locations with the guidelines, directions, and policy for clearing carriers and passengers/crew and controlling garbage and cargo. (Manual, updated 03/10/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/mac.shtml)

21. Miscellaneous and Processed Products PPQ Manual Updated

On March 11, 2010, APHIS updated its Miscellaneous and Processed Products PPQ Manual. The manual is used for regulating imported items that are processed and are not intended for propagation. (Manual, updated 03/11/10, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/miscellaneous.pdf)

22. FSIS Updates Lists of Argentina, Australia and Mexico Establishments Eligible to Export Meat & Poultry

The Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued updated versions of its lists of Argentina (March 11, 2010), Australia (March 11, 2010) and Mexico (March 10, 2010), establishments eligible to export meat and poultry to the U.S.

23. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

New Zealand: New Zealand Wine Report: Wine

France: Responding to Global Challenges and Opportunities: Agriculture in the Economy, Agriculture in the News, Food Security

Japan: Press Conference to Launch Partners in Agriculture: Export Promotion Programs

24. 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:

99-05: Raw Agricultural Products for Pesticides

80-04: Surgeon's and Patient Examination Gloves

45-02: Foods Containing Illegal and/or Undeclared Colors

23-10:In-Shell Brazil Nuts

22-01: Cantaloupes from Mexico

16-81: Seafood Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella

16-18: Shrimp

16-05: Mahimahi Because of Histamine and Decomposition

25. FSIS Updates List of Instructions and U.S. Plants for Exporting Meat and Poultry to Foreign Countries

FSIS has provided updated information for the export of U.S. meat and poultry to the following countries:

Russia (Revised March 11, 2010)

Russia (Pork) (Revised March 11, 2010)