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.)
"Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions" is a regular feature of International Trade Today. The following are brief summaries of recent Capitol Hill actions.
The State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) has recently posted two additional documents related to the April 7, 2009 meeting of the Defense Trade Advisory Group.
Note that Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions does not appear in today's issue of International Trade Today. Publication of this feature will resume as new information becomes available.
"Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions" is a regular feature of International Trade Today. The following are brief summaries of recent Capitol Hill actions.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano released her remarks at a "pen and pad" session with DHS reporters regarding five major DHS missions - counterterrorism, securing the borders, enforcing smart and effective immigration policies, preparing for, responding to, recovering from disasters; and then building one Department of Homeland Security out of the 22 agencies that were originally put into DHS. (Remarks, dated 06/25/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/speeches/sp_1245965901250.shtm.)
General Electric India has been approved by the Bureau of Industry and Security as the first Indian company to qualify as a validated end-user (VEU) in India, allowing the company to enter a pre-approved, export express lane as a trusted end user.
The U.S. and Korea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance commercial cooperation between the two countries.
China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine has issued a notice announcing an annual supervision examination on designated accreditation bodies, labs and factory inspectors, as well as spot tests on CCC licensed products which include toys, household appliances, information technical products, motorcycles, lighting, latex products, coffers against theft and plant protection machineries. (Notice, dated 06/11/09, available at http://english.aqsiq.gov.cn/NewsRelease/NewsUpdates/200906/t20090611_118033.htm)
Mexico's National Cargo Transportation Association (Canacar) announced on June 1, that it is suing the U.S. for $6 billion because of its refusal to allow Mexican haulers onto its roads as required under the North American Free Trade Agreement. About 4,500 Mexican trucking companies are involved in the lawsuit, according to Canacar. (Notice, available at http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=79026)