Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. December 20 CIT Hearing on Motion for Preliminary Injunction Motion for Pending China Textile Safeguard Petitions

2. Senator Discusses Possible U.S.-New Zealand FTA with Prime Minister

The Senate Finance Committee has issued a press release announcing that Senator Max Baucus has met with the New Zealand Prime Minister to discuss strengthening trade ties between the U.S. and New Zealand through a possible free trade agreement (FTA). (Senate Finance Committee press release, dated 12/02/04, available at http://finance.senate.gov/press/Bpress/2004press/prb120204.pdf)

3. Loy and Hutchison Expected to Leave DHS

Shipper's NewsWire reports sources indicate that Admiral James Loy, second in command at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Asa Hutchison, undersecretary for Border and Transportation Security (BTS), are expected to soon follow Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge in leaving DHS. (SNW dated 12/03/04, www.americanshipper.com.)

4. Further Liberalization of U.S.-China Aviation Services Urged

The State Department's Washington File reports that a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) official has said that a more thorough liberalization of aviation services between the U.S. and China would help both countries exploit the full potential of their rapidly growing bilateral trade. According to the article, the DOT official stated that a 2004 U.S.-China agreement liberalizing air services was a huge step forward, but did not remove all constraints and left a lot to be desired. (Washington File, dated 12/03/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=December&x=20041203120706SAikceinawz0.903042&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html.)

5. Treasury Dept. Finds No Currency Manipulation by Major Trading Partners

The Washington File reports that for the first six months of 2004, the Treasury Department found that no major U.S. trading partner manipulated its currency to gain an unfair competitive advantage or prevent balance of payment adjustments. Among other things, the Treasury Department states that China has strengthened its commitment to move to a market-based, flexible exchange rate and was laying the appropriate groundwork. (Washington File Pub 12/06/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=December&x=20041206111256SAikceinawz0.3116114&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)

6. FWS Final Rule Confers Designated Port Status on Ports in TX, KY, and TN

The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has issued a final rule which makes Houston, Texas; Louisville, KY; and Memphis, TN designated ports under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Effective January 5, 2005, this action will allow the direct importation and exportation of wildlife and wildlife products through these international ports. (FR Pub 12/06/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-26717.pdf)

7. FMC Commissioner Harold Creel to Serve Third Term on FMC

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a press release announcing that FMC Commissioner Harold J. Creel, Jr. has been sworn in as a Commissioner for a third term, which will expire on June 30, 2009. (FMC Press Release NR 04-16, dated 12/06/04, available at http://www.fmc.gov/Pressreleases/NR%2004-16%20Commissioner%20Creel_Third%20Term.htm)

8. Recent CPSC Press Releases on Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued separate press releases (dated 11/01/04-11/10/04) announcing that the following companies, in cooperation with the CPSC, are voluntarily recalling the products listed below (Press releases available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html):