Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Journal of Commerce reports that in July 2005, Representative Dave Weldon (R-Fla) introduced H.R. 3319, the "Short Sea Shipping Tax Exemption Act of 2005" in order to exempt coastwise container, ferry or roll-on, roll-off traffic moving between U.S. mainland ports from paying the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT, or HMF), which is seen by advocates as one of the major barriers to developing coastwise shipping as an alternative to land freight transport. (JoC, dated 07/25/05, www.joc.com )
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1. Bill Would Exempt Short-Sea from HMT
2. China Ends Some Fees on Textile Sales to EU
According to The Wall Street Journal, China's Ministry of Finance has stated that it has eliminated tariffs on 17 types of textile exports, including wool pants, knit dresses and cotton shirts, to the European Union (EU). The article notes that during the past seven months, China has instituted, raised and scrapped tariff rates on an array of textile categories, and that this seesaw policy has rendered the tariffs an ineffective tool in preventing trading partners from instituting their own measures to restrict Chinese imports. The move is seen as an attempt to lighten the burden on China's garment manufacturers, whose profit margins will be further eroded by China's currency revaluation. (WSJ, dated 07/26/05, www.wsj.com )
3. State Dept Issues List of Countries Eligible for Trade in Rough Diamonds
The State Department has issued a public notice that, in accordance with Sections 3 and 6 of the Clean Diamond Trade Act (Act) and Section 2 of Executive Order (EO) 13312 of July 29, 2003, identifies, as of August 15, 2005, all countries eligible for trade in rough diamonds under the Act. This notice also identifies the respective importing and exporting authorities for each of the listed countries. (State Dept Public Notice 5160, FR Pub 08/22/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-16602.pdf )
4. CBP Proposes Rule on Ports of Noyes and Pembina
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a proposed rule to close the port of entry of Noyes, Minnesota, and extend the limits of the port of entry of Pembina, North Dakota, to include the rail facilities located at Noyes. Written comments are due by October 11, 2005. (CBP DHS-2005-0004, FR Pub 08/12/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-16008.pdf )
5. USTR Statement on NAFTA Extraordinary Challenge Committee Decision in Canada Softwood Lumber
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a statement that it is of course disappointed with the Extraordinary Challenge Committee's decision, but that it will have no impact on the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on Canada Softwood Lumber, given the International Trade Commission's (ITC) November 2004 "threat of injury" determination. See ITT's Online Archives or 12/06/04 news, 04120640 for BP summary on ITC threat of injury determination and USTR filing of extraordinary challenge. (USTR statement, dated 08/10/05, available athttp://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Spokesperson_Statements/Statement_of_Neena_Moorjani,_Spokesperson,_Regarding_the_Softwood_Lumber_Issue.html )