Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

Washington Trade Daily reports that the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) intends to appeal a recent North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) dispute panel ruling on the International Trade Commission's (ITC's) injury determination regarding imports of softwood lumber from Canada to an "extraordinary challenge" committee. (See ITT's Online Archives or 09/14/04 news, 04091435, for BP summary of the ITC's response to the NAFTA panel ruling, and its determination of no threat of material injury despite its view that the NAFTA panel's decision oversteps its authority, etc.) (WTD, dated 10/14/04, www.washingtontradedaily.com)

4. U.S.-China Economic & Security Review Commission Postpones Hearing

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission issued a notice stating that it would hold a public hearing in Seattle, WA on October 14, 2004 in order to examine the impact of U.S.-China trade and investment on Pacific Northwest industries. Subsequently, the Commission issued a notice postponing the public hearing until another date and time in early 2005. (Hearing notice, FR Pub 10/05/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-22377.pdf; Postponement notice, FR Pub 10/12/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-22907.pdf)

5. U.S. Continues Medfly Emergency Response Measures Until Further Notice

The Washington File has reported that the U.S. will continue until further notice its emergency response to the detection of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) in Tijuana, Mexico on September 16, 2004. (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/04/04 news, 04100405, for most recent BP update on Medfly emergency response measures.) (Washington File Pub 10/14/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=October&x=20041014180057AEneerG0.4067194&t=wh/wh-latest.html)

6. DOJ Task Force Urges Tough Policies on Piracy, Counterfeiting, & IPR Violations

The Washington File has reported that a Department of Justice (DOJ) task force is recommending a more aggressive strategy to combat piracy, counterfeiting and other violations of intellectual property rights (IPR) both domestically and overseas. Among other things, the task force recommends stationing FBI agents and federal prosecutors at U.S. embassies in Hong Kong and Budapest, Hungary to coordinate IPR enforcement in Asia and Eastern Europe. (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/07/04 news, 04100705, for BP summary of the U.S. government's STOP! Initiative to combat counterfeit goods, etc.) (Washington File Pub 10/12/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/ei/Archive/2004/Oct/12-950845.html)

7. Foreign-Trade Zones Board Actions

The Foreign-Trade Zones Board (FTZB) has issued the following notices of recent FTZB actions:

FTZB notices (FR Pub 10/13/04) available under 'Foreign-Trade Zones Board' at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a041013c.html

8. FMC Lists Applicants for OTI Licenses

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice stating that the following companies have filed applications for license as non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs):

FMC notice (FR Pub 10/14/04) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-23052.pdf