Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Journal of Commerce Online reports that on August 4, 2004, the World Trade Organization (WTO) preliminarily ruled that European Union (EU) subsidies for its sugar farmers violate global trade rules, upholding a complaint filed by Brazil, Australia, and Thailand. The article states that this WTO decision follows a recent WTO ruling against U.S. cotton subsidies. (JoC Online, dated 08/05/04, www.joc.com )
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1. WTO Rules Against EU Sugar Subsidies
2. USTR Cautionary Statement Regarding Australia's FTA Implementing Legislation and Possible Amendments
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a statement regarding Australia's implementing legislation and amendments for the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA). According to the statement, the U.S. has at no point expressed acceptance of Australia's proposed legislation or amendments and that it is Australia's obligation to implement the U.S.-Australia FTA in a manner consistent with both the terms of the FTA and international intellectual property agreements. The statement also notes that the U.S. must certify that Australia's FTA implementing language fulfills the obligations under the FTA before the U.S.-Australia FTA can come into force. (Statement, dated 08/12/04, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Secretary_Statements/Statement_from_USTR_Spokesman_Richard_Mills_Regarding_Australian_implementing_legislation_amendments_related_to_the_FTA.html.)
3. Federal Court Rejects U.S. Change in Dolphin-Safe Tuna Labeling
According to the State Department's Washington File, the 9th Federal District Court in California has struck down the Bush administration's decision changing the definition of dolphin-safe tuna can labels, posing potential problems for an international agreement aimed at reducing dolphin kills. At issue is a 1997 law authorizing the relaxation of the U.S. standard for dolphin-safe labeling if certain conditions are met. (dated 08/11/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=August&x=20040811152933ebyessedo0.983288&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html )
4. FMC Notice on E-Mail Problems During July 24-August 2
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has posted to its Web site a notice stating that it has recently experienced some difficulty receiving e-mail messages, and e-mail sent to the FMC's Offices during the period from July 24, 2004 through August 2, 2004 may not have been received. According to the FMC, anyone who sent e-mail to the FMC during that period may resubmit that e-mail. (FMC notice available at www.fmc.gov/email_difficulty.htm.)
5. State Dept Fact Sheet on The Australia Group
The State Department's Washington File has issued a fact sheet on the Australia Group which was created in 1984 to combat the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons and currently has participants from 38 countries. (dated 08/10/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=August&x=20040810140135dmslahrellek8.352298e-02&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html )
6. ITA Corrects its Preliminary AD Determination on Brazil Shrimp
The International Trade Administration (ITA) has corrected its instructions for the preliminary affirmative antidumping (AD) duty determination for certain Frozen and Canned Warmwater Shrimp from Brazil with respect to EMPAF, in order to state that as its preliminary AD rate is zero, liquidation will not be suspended for EMPAF. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/12/04 news, 04080535 for BP summary of preliminary determination, which stated that BP was checking on this suspension of liquidation issue.)CBP Adm: 04-1808 (dated 08/05/04) available at http://www.brokerpower.com/cgi-bin/adminsearch/admmsg.view.pl?article=2004/2004-1808.ADM
7. U.S. Airlines Can Now Conduct All-Cargo Charter Operations with Libya
The State Department's Washington File states that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has lifted some restrictions on air services between the U.S. and Libya which will allow U.S. airlines to conduct all-cargo charter operations between the two countries, etc. (dated 08/10/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=August&x=20040810154907ESnamfuaK0.9293329&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html
8. U.N. Launches New Effort to Strengthen Bird Flu Campaign in Asia
According to The State Department's Washington File, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is providing more than $1.2 million to support a veterinary network in Asia to better detect, control and prevent avian influenza. (dated 07/30/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=August&x=20040809155144AEneerG0.7195093&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html )
9. FDA Warning Regarding Sale of Counterfeit Medicine in Mexico
According to The State Department's Washington File, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials are working with their Mexican counterparts to stop the sale of counterfeit medicine in Mexico (such as counterfeit versions of the cholesterol drug Zocar and a generic painkiller called Carisoprodol), adding that the sale of counterfeit drugs is a growing problem. (dated 08/09/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=August&x=20040809155144AEneerG0.7195093&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html
10. Coast Guard Chemical Transportation Subcommittee Teleconference
The Coast Guard has issued a notice announcing a teleconference meeting of the Subcommittee of the Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 472 Standard on August 17, 2004. This subcommittee will meet to discuss the future presentation to the NFPA 472 Technical Committee on Hazardous Materials Response Personnel about the initiative to draft a marine emergency responder chapter in NFPA 472, Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents. (CG notice, FR Pub 08/04/04, available at
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-17684.pdf.)