Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Washington File reports that the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations has agreed to convene a meeting of experts in autumn to develop a plan for improving national anti-piracy and anti-counterfeiting capabilities, noting that the theft of intellectual property rights (IPR) can be linked to organized crime. The leaders of the G8 (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, U.S., and Russia) met on July 6-8, 2005 in Scotland. (Washington File Pub 07/08/05, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2005&m=July&x=20050708152328AKllennoCcM0.9995691&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)
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1. G8 Vows to Increase Fight Against Intellectual Property Theft
2. U.S. May Impose New China Safeguard Quotas as the Old Ones Expire
According to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit's (CAFC) decision allowing the U.S. government to resume consideration of threat-based China safeguard petitions, and the CAFC's belief that the U.S. government will prevail on this case, allows the U.S. government to act preemptively to maintain safeguard quotas as they expire.
Other trade sources add that reapplying safeguards right after the current safeguards expire is possible if the domestic industry times the filing of its reapplication requests to do so (as it takes the U.S. government about 110 days to consider and then act on a safeguard request).
These sources add that safeguards will likely continue to be set at 7.5% above the amount entered during the first 12 months of the most recent 14 months preceding the month in which the request for consultations was made. According to sources, it is not known if a 2006 safeguard level would be higher than the 2005 safeguard level. Although January - April 2005 imports were high, this could be offset by lower import levels during the later parts of 2004 and/or 2005, due to the filling of 2004 quotas and/or 2005 safeguards.
For example, any reapplication requests implemented in December 2005 could be based on imports during the October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005 time period 7.5%, while any reapplication requests implemented in January 2006 could be based on imports during the November 1, 2004 through October 31, 2005 time period 7.5%. HKTDC notice (dated 07/05) available at http://www.tdctrade.com/alert/us0513.htm
3. Absent TWIC Standards, Ports Develop Their Own Security ID Cards
The Journal of Commerce (JoC) has reported that as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not published standards for the Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC), ports are finding their own solutions and are beginning to develop their own access-control systems. According to JoC, the TWIC standards are not expected to be completed before September 30, 2006. (JoC Pub 07/11/05, www.joc.com)
4. USTR Hopes to Finish FTA Negotiations with Thailand in Early 2006
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a fact sheet on the U.S.-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. According to the USTR, good progress was made in the initial three rounds of negotiations, and the fourth round of negotiations is being held July 11 - 15, 2005. The USTR adds that the U.S. hopes to finish negotiations with Thailand in early 2006. (USTR Pub 07/11/05, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Fact_Sheets/2005/asset_upload_file994_7853.pdf)
5. CBP Proposes to Conditionally Establish New Port of Entry at New River Valley, VA, Etc.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a proposed rule in which it is proposing to conditionally establish a new port of entry at New River Valley, VA and terminating the user-fee status of New River Valley Airport. Comments on the proposed rule are due by September 6, 2005. (CBP notice, FR Pub 07/05/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-13120.pdf.)
6. List of Mexico's Gov't Entities/Enterprises Covered by NAFTA Government Procurement Chapter Has Been Revised
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice announcing the revision of Mexico's Government Entities and Enterprises Covered by the Government Procurement Chapter of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). According to the USTR, this list has been revised to reflect changes in Mexico's government structure. (USTR notice, FR Pub 07/01/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-12983.pdf.)