Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
According to a U.S. Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (USA-ITA) Textile Development Memo, on November 3, 2004 the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) announced its decision to accept five petitions requesting safeguard quotas on the following China categories: Cat 338/339 (cotton knit tops), Cat 340/640 (men's and boys' cotton and man-made fiber (MMF) woven shirts), Cat 352/652 (cotton and MMF underwear), Cat 638/639 (MMF knit tops), and Cat 647/648 (MMF trousers and shorts). (TDM, dated 11/04/04, www.usaita.com)
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1. CITA Accepts 5 Petitions on China Safeguard Quota; More Petitions to Follow, Including Petitions to Reapply Current Safeguard Quotas
The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) has issued a press release stating that it hopes to file additional petitions on wool trousers, cotton sheets, and other synthetic filament fabrics, as well as petitions to reapply the current safeguard quotas on knit fabric, brassieres, and dressing gowns. (NCTO press release, dated 11/03/04, available at http://www.ncto.org/newsroom/pr200413.asp)
2. EU Proposals Relating to WTO Elimination of Quotas on January 1, 2005
In preparation for the World Trade Organization (WTO) elimination of textile quotas, the European Union (EU) has proposed to allow goods shipped before January 1, 2005 to be subject to the import regime prevailing in 2004, even if they are presented for customs clearance after January 1, 2005; however, from April 1, 2005 all such goods would be allowed to enter the EU freely. The EU has also proposed to monitor imports of the most sensitive textile and clothing products from China. (EU press release IP/04/1307, dated 10/26/04, available at http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/04/1307&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en_)
3. Op-Ed Says Mexico's "NAFTA Boost" Did Not Last Because Non-Export Sectors Could Not Access International Lending
A Wall Street Journal opinion editorial suggests that Mexico was not able to sustain the boost its economy saw as a result of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) because, among other issues, its economic reforms have been too limited and non-export sectors have not been able to secure access to international lending. As a result, the author argues Mexican firms were unable to add the capacity needed for economic expansion. (WSJ Pub 10/22/04, www.wallstreetjournal.com)
4. PTO Corrects Final Rule on Mailing Address for Trademark-Related Correspondence
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office PTO) has issued a correction to its September 24, 2004 final rule setting forth new mailing addresses for trade mark-related correspondence submitted on paper and amending some of the rules governing submissions of documents pursuant to the Madrid Protocol. PTO is correcting its final rule in order to correct the omission of a new address for general trademark-related correspondence delivered by hand or courier and to clarify the new address for hand-delivered trademark-related correspondence pursuant to the Madrid Protocol. (See ITT's Online Archives or 09/28/04 news, 04092899 3, for BP summary of PTO's September 24, 2004 final rule.)(FR Pub 11/01/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-24311.pdf.)
5. Port of Chicago Pipeline on its Cargo Operation Hours of Operation
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Port of Chicago has issued a Pipeline announcing the hours of operation for the Port of Chicago Cargo Operation. This Pipeline provides the hours for the Center Point Business Center and CES stations, as well as for specified holidays. (Port of Chicago Pipeline 04-23, dated 09/29/04, available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.)