Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Wall Street Journal reports that Mexico's maquiladora industry, considered an indicator of U.S. manufacturing strength, witnessed significant hiring turnaround in 2004, as employment increased for the first time since 2000. (WSJ dated 03/22/05, www.wsj.com.)
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1. Maquiladora Industry Employment Increased in 2004
2. World Shipping Council President Opines CBP Will Work on Tougher C-TPAT Criteria for Carriers Next
Shippers' NewsWire reports that Christopher Koch, president of the World Shipping Council, told the National Industrial Transportation League's Spring Policy Forum that after issuing tougher criteria for importers wishing to participate in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), CBP will probably next turn its attention to carriers. According to Koch, CBP will probably focus on moving from voluntary guidelines and best practices to stricter standards for carriers to follow. (SNW dated 04/20/05, www.americanshipper.com.)
3. Portugal Deposits Instrument of Accession for Revised Kyoto Convention on Customs Procedures
The World Customs Organization (WCO) has issued a press release announcing that on April 15, 2005 Portugal deposited its instrument of accession to the Protocol of Amendment to the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures (Revised Kyoto Convention). The number of Contracting Parties to the Revised Kyoto Convention is now 38, with 40 needed for it to enter into force. (WCO Pub 04/15/05, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/ie/En/Topics_Issues/FacilitationCustomsProcedures/KyotoPortugal.htm)
4. Senators Urge Resolution of Trade Issues Prior to Russia's Joining WTO
The Senate Committee on Finance has issued a press release announcing that Senators Chuck Grassley and Max Baucus have sent a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) urging that a number of outstanding trade concerns be resolved before concluding negotiations that would allow Russia to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). Among other issues, the Senators state that Russia does not have a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR). (Senate press release, dated 04/14/05, available at http://finance.senate.gov/press/Gpress/2005/prg041405.pdf)
5. FMC Clarifies, Corrects Final Rule on OCC and MTO Agreements
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued clarifications and corrections to its November 4, 2004 final rule on ocean common carrier (OCC) and marine terminal operator (MTO) agreements, etc. The FMC has, among other things, clarified the meaning of the statutory 45-day waiting period exemption so that it indicates that the market share level of less than 35% applies if at least one party is not a member of another agreement in the same trade or sub-trade with any of the authorities listed in 46 CFR 535.502(b), and made minor revisions to the format of FMC Form-150 (Information Form for Agreements Between or Among Ocean Common Carriers). (See ITT's Online Archives or 11/12/04 news, 04111299 2, for BP summary of the final rule.) (D/N 03-15, FR Pub 04/19/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-7741.pdf)
6. UN Security Council Extends Arms Embargo on Dem. Rep. Of the Congo
The United Nations (UN) News Service reports that the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1596 (2005) to extend an arms and military financing embargo to "any recipient" in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and freeze the assets of sanctions violators. According to the press release, Resolution 1596 also detailed actions to be taken by the DRC and its neighbors to enforce the embargo. The text of this resolution is available at www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/sc8361.doc.htm(UN News Service Pub 04/18/05, available at http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=14009&Cr=democratic&Cr1=congo)