Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Washington Trade Daily reports that there is a "new momentum" evidenced in this week's negotiations between the U.S. and Vietnam on the bilateral market access agreement needed for the country's World Trade Organization (WTO) membership. The expectation is that work will accelerate in the coming weeks and that the two sides will meet again soon to continue discussions. In addition, Vietnam's National Assembly is working to pass much of the legislation needed for Vietnam to join the WTO. (WTD, dated 01/19/06, www.washingtontradedaily.com )
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1. New Momentum in Vietnam's WTO Accession Negotiations with U.S.
2. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Facing Opposition from Truckers, Travelers, Etc.
The Journal of Commerce reports that the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which ahs been in the works since March 2005 and which Congress wants put in operation by January 1, 2008, is facing vigorous opposition from the Canadian government, U.S. politicians from border states, and frequent travelers and truckers. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/04/06 news, 06010435, for BP summary of a CBP reminder on the proposed deadlines for the WHTI.) (JoC dated 10/10/05, www.joc.com.)
3. NCTO Applauds Strengthening of "Buy American" Rules for DOD
The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) has issued a press release applauding the inclusion in the fiscal year (FY) 2006 Department of Defense (DOD) Authorization bill of a provision that strengthens the "Buy American" rules for the DOD. The press releases states that the bill's language would require DOD to notify both Congress and U.S. industry when it decides to buy textile and apparel goods from foreign sources. The press release states that the provision also expands the domestic sourcing requirement so that all components of textile and apparel goods used by the U.S. military must now be sourced domestically. (NCTO press release, dated 12/22/05, available at www.ncto.org/newsroom/pr200547.asp.)
4. DHS Announces Creation of New Border Enforcement and Security Task Forces
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a press release announcing the creation of a new Border Enforcement and Security Task Forces. These task forces will be nationally-integrated teams with federal, state, and local representation specifically directed at cross-border criminal activity. (DHS press release, dated 01/06/06, available at http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=5331.)
6. CBP at Port of Chicago Issues Pipeline on Annual Permit User Fee and Triennial Fee Report
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the port of Chicago has issued the following Pipeline:
Annual Permit User Fee and Triennial Fee Report (Pipeline 05-30)
(Pipeline No. 05-30, dated 11/29/05, availablefromBP by fax only by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.)
7. ITA Issues Update to Annual List of Foreign Subsidies on Cheese
The International Trade Administration (ITA), in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, has issued its update to the annual list of foreign government subsidies on articles of cheese subject to an in-quota rate of duty that were imported during the period October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005. The ITA states that it will incorporate additional programs and information on the subsidy programs listed, as the information develops. (FR Pub 01/05/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E5-8330.pdf.)
8. FR Publications Announce Availability of FDA Guidance Documents
On December 14, 2005, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published in the Federal Register a notice announcing the availability of a guidance document entitled "Requesting an Extension to Use Existing Label Stock after the Trans Fat Labeling Effective Date of January 1, 2006. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/08/05 news, 05120825, for BP summary on this guidance.) (FDA notice, FR Pub 12/14/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-23987.pdf.)
On December 27, 2005, the FDA published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the availability of its draft guidance for industry entitled "Lead in Candy Likely to be Consumed Frequently by Small Children: Recommended Maximum Level and Enforcement Policy." (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/10/06 news, 06011099 3, for BP summary of this guidance.) (FDA notice, FR Pub 12/27/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-24494.pdf.)
On November 22, 2005, the FDA published in the Federal Register a notice announcing the availability of guidance entitled "Question and Answers Regarding Establishment and Maintenance of Records (Edition 2)." (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/02/05 news, 05120225, for BP summary of this guidance.) (FDA notice, FR Pub 11/22/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-23062.pdf.)
9. Tentative Schedule of FDA Public Advisory Committee Meetings for 2006
The FDA has published a tentative schedule of forthcoming meetings of its public advisory committees for 2006. The FDA states that because the schedule is tentative, amendments to this notice will not be published in the Federal Register. However, FDA states that changes to the schedule will be posted on its advisory committees' Internet site at www.fda.gov/oc/advisory/default.htm. (FDA notice, FR Pub 12/22/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/E5-7645.pdf.)