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Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

The Journal of Commerce reports that the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) will take longer to complete than planned because, among other things, the need for anti-terrorism features in the system has apparently set back its development. The article notes that while U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) originally hoped to have ACE constructed over five years, with completion in 2007 or 2008, officials now state that with the added technology and the need for additional funding, ACE is likely to be on an eight- to ten-year schedule, which would have it completed by 2010 at the earliest. (JoC dated 06/21-27/04, www.joc.com.)

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1. ACE May be Delayed Due to Funding and Technology Issues

2. European Commission Finds Antitrust Immunity of Liner Conferences May Not Be Justified

Shipper's NewsWire reports that the European Commission's (EC's) competition directorate has issued a discussion paper which states that the antitrust immunity of liner conferences in Europe appears not to be justified. This paper states that EC services would propose to repeal the present block exemption for liner shipping conferences; however, member governments, rather than the EC, have the final say in any reform or repeal of the regulation. (Shippers NewsWire Pub 06/22/04, www.americanshipper.com)

3. U.S. and China Commit to Landmark Aviation Agreement

The State Department's Washington File reports that the U.S. and China have reached a landmark agreement promising a substantial expansion of commercial aviation services between the two countries. Under the accord, five additional airlines from each country will be allowed to serve the U.S.-China market. These new cargo and passenger market entrants will be phased in over a period of six years beginning in late 2004. (Washington File Pub 06/18/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=June&x=20040618152907ASesuarK0.4740564&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)

4. Secretary of Homeland Security Names Four New Members to PVTSAC

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a press release announcing the appointment of four individuals to serve on the Private Sector Senior Advisory Committee (PVTSAC) of the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC). PVTSAC was established to provide HSAC with expert advice from leaders in the U.S.' private sector. (DHS Press Release, dated 06/14/04, available at http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=3714)

5. 2nd Round of Negotiations Held on Proposed U.S.-Andean FTA

The State Department's Washington File reports that progress was made during the second round of negotiations held on June 14-18, 2004 in Atlanta, GA between the U.S. and the Andean nations of Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador for the proposed U.S.-Andean Free Trade Agreement (FTA). (Washington File Pub 06/18/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=June&x=20040618164608ASrelliM0.9619867&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)

6. White House Fact Sheet on Progress of Proposed Middle East FTA

The White House has issued a fact sheet that outlines the substantial progress made at the one-year mark regarding President Bush's vision of establishing a U.S.-Middle East Free Trade Area (MEFTA) by 2013. (See ITT's Online Archives or 05/14/03 news, 03051405, for BP summary of the President's May 2003 proposal for establishing MEFTA by 2013.) (Fact sheet, dated 06/09/04, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040609-37.html)

7. NAFTA Panel Affirms in Part, and Remands in Part, the ITA's Final CV Determination on Certain Softwood Lumber Products from Canada

The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued a notice stating that on June 7, 2004, a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) binational panel affirmed in part and remanded in part the ITA's final countervailing (CV) duty determination on remand regarding certain softwood lumber products from Canada (Secretariat File No. USA-CDA-2002-1904-03). The ITA states that it will return the second determination on remand no later than July 30, 2004. (FR Pub 06/14/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-13237.pdf)

8. NAFTA Panel Affirms ITA's Remand Determination on Circular Welded Non-Alloy Steel Pipe from Mexico

The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued a notice stating that a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) binational panel affirmed the ITA's final scope ruling determination on remand for circular welded non-alloy steel pipe from Mexico (Secretariat File No. USA-MEX-98-1904-05). The NAFTA binational panel has directed the Secretary to issue a Notice of Final Panel Action on the eleventh day after June 8, 2004. (FR Pub 06/15/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-13363.pdf)