Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. FMCSA Asks Court to Keep HOS Rule for Truck Drivers in Effect for at Least 6 More Months

2. USTR Rejects Section 301 Petition on China's Currency Policies

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release stating that a recently filed Section 301 petition seeking 40% across the board tariffs on Chinese products due to their currency policies is reckless and a retreat into economic isolationism. According to USTR, it has been urging the Chinese government to move toward a more flexible, market-based exchange rate, and that as a result it is now one of China's top priorities. USTR also states that the Administration has made clear to China that it cannot expect to receive market economy status unless it continues its recent moves toward more market-based policies. (USTR, dated 09/09/04, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Secretary_Statements/Statement_from_USTR_Spokesman_Richard_Mills_Regarding_the_China_currency_petition.html )

3. Odds of Bird-Flu Pandemic Rise as First Thai Death is Confirmed

According to The Wall Street Journal, international health authorities say that the death on Wednesday of an 18-year old man in Thailand from bird flu provides another worrying sign that the world may be edging toward a long-awaited influenza pandemic against which humans have little protection. The article adds that the virus has now surfaced in nine countries, most recently Malaysia, and is mutating in ways that make it more infectious in mammals. (WSJ, dated 09/10/04, www.wsj.com )

4. DOT Proposes to Award New U.S.-China Air Cargo Rights & Additional Flights

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a press release announcing that it has proposed to name Polar Air Cargo as a new entrant in the U.S.-China air cargo market, and to distribute a total of 39 new weekly all-cargo flights among that airline and FedEx, Northwest, and UPS, the three U.S. airlines currently operating U.S.-China all-cargo service. (DOT 166-04, dated 09/03/04, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/dot16604.htm)

5. New House Bill Calls for Most China Textile Quotas to Remain in Place After 2004

The Office of U.S. Representative John Spratt has issued a press release announcing that on September 8, 2004, a bill entitled The Textiles and Apparel China Safeguard Act (H.R. 5026) was introduced in the House of Representatives. H.R. 5026 calls for aggressive use of the special safeguard against imports from China and would allow most import quotas to remain in place, rather than expire, on January 1, 2005. (Press Release dated 09/09/04, available via email by emailing documents@brokerpower.com)

6. CBP Cancels Customs Broker Local Permits Without Prejudice

CBP has issued a notice announcing that the following Customs broker local permits are canceled without prejudice:

(FR Pub 08/27/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-19578.pdf)

7. CBP Cancels Customs Broker National Permits Without Prejudice

CBP has issued a notice announcing that the following Customs broker national permits are canceled without prejudice:

(FR Pub 08/27/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-19580.pdf)

8. CBP Cancels Customs Broker Licenses Without Prejudice

CBP has issued a notice announcing that the following Customs broker licenses are canceled without prejudice:

(FR Pub 08/27/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-19579.pdf)