Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Two House/ Senate Trade Leaders May Not Support Renewal of GSP

2. OMB Balks at Provision in House-Passed SAFE Port Act to Increase Number of Inspectors at Ports, Etc.

The Journal of Commerce reports that the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) balked at certain provisions in the House-passed Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act, stating that while it saw several things it liked, it rejected provisions in the bill to increase the number of inspectors at ports, add money to train port workers in security, and fund a new $600 million port security grant program. (JoC, May 15, 2006, www.joc.com )

3. NCTO Discusses Textile Aspects of US- Vietnam WTO Agreement

The National Council of Textile Organizations, which represents elements of U.S.' domestic textile industry, has issued information on the U.S.-Vietnam "In Principal" Bilateral WTO Accession Agreement on Market Access. Among other provisions, the NCTO notes that Vietnam has agreed to eliminate certain export subsidies in exchange for the U.S. removing all quotas on Vietnam products. If Vietnam does not remove the agreed list of export subsidies, then the U.S. may have the one-time right to reinstate quotas for one year. (NCTO, dated 05/14/06, available at http://www.ncto.org/newsroom/pr200605.pdf )

4. WTO Reports Declines in New AD Investigations, Final Measures

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has issued a press release stating that the second half of 2005 (July 1 - December 31, 2005) saw further declines in both the number of new antidumping (AD) investigations and new final AD measures, with 2005 marking the fourth consecutive year of declines in new initiations and the second in new measures. According to the release, among members reporting new initiations during the second half of 2005, the highest number was China, with 13 initiations. (WTO Pub 05/08/06, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres06_e/pr441_e.htm)

5. DOE Proposes Rule to Add Definitions Relating to Household Products

The Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a proposed rule that would add definitions for "household" and "Energy use of a type of consumer product which is used by households" to its regulations at 10 CFR Part 430. DOE sources indicate that this proposal is necessary under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act and no policy changes are expected to be proposed or implemented in the foreseeable future. Comments are due no later than June 19, 2006. (D/N EE-RM-03-630, FR Pub 05/04/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-4195.pdf)

6. Office of Defense Trade Controls Licensing Announces Realignment of Divisions

The Office of Defense Trade Controls Licensing has issued a press release announcing that its divisions have been realigned. The principle change in this realignment is that technical assistance and manufacturing license agreements will now be assigned to divisions on the basis of U.S. Munitions List (USML) categories. There is no longer a licensing division dedicated solely to agreements. (dated 05/09/06, available at http://www.pmdtc.org/licensing_office_realignment_notice.htm)

7. Various Agencies Seek Comments on Information Collections

Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):

(CBP Information Collection, FR Pub 05/01/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-6467.pdf)

(BIS 1 and 2 Information Collection, FR Pub 04/17/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-5623.pdf)

(BIS 3 and 4 Information Collection, FR Pub 04/17/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-5634.pdf)

(ITC Information Collection, FR Pub 04/13/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-5463.pdf)

(CBP 1 and 2 Information Collection, FR Pub 04/13/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-5484.pdf)

(CPSC Collection, FR Pub 03/28/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-4475.pdf)

(CBP Information Collection, FR Pub 03/28/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-4476.pdf)

8. FMC Lists OTI Reissuances, Revocations and Applications

The FMC has issued one notice that list those applying for OTI licenses, as follows:

FMC notice (FR Pub (05/03/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-6696.pdf