Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. U.S. Expected to Sign Bilateral Vietnam WTO Market Access Agreement After Senate Confirms Schwab as USTR

2. CBP and DHS Officials Discuss Hong Kong's ICIS

American Shipper reports that at a recent meeting with the trade community and in congressional testimony, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials discussed Hong Kong's Integrated Container Inspection System (ICIS). The article notes that CBP officials have stated that the next step is to study whether ICIS is compatible with CBP's Container Security Initiative (CSI). In addition, a DHS official testified that private sector screening efforts such as ICIS must supplement, not replace, the need for advance data reporting and targeted inspection at ports at home and abroad. (American Shipper, dated 05/26/06, www.americanshipper.com.)

3. House Begins Consideration of FY 2007 DHS Appropriations Bill

On May 22, 2006, the House Appropriations Committee reported H.R. 5441, the fiscal year (FY) 2007 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). On May 25, 2006, the House of Representatives began, but did not complete, its consideration of H.R. 5441. (Congressional Record 05/25/06, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/B?r109:@FIELD(FLD003d)@FIELD(DDATE20060525).)

4. President Certifies Rescission of Libya's Designation as State Sponsor of Terrorism

On May 12, 2006, the President issued a determination certifying the rescission of Libya's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, stating that: (i) the government of Libya has not provided any support for international terrorism during the preceding six-month period, and (ii) the government of Libya has provided assurances that it will not support acts of international terrorism in the future. (Presidential Determination No. 2006-14, FR Pub 05/26/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-4929.pdf)

5. USTR Notice on Renewal of Trade Advisory Committee on Africa

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice announcing that it has renewed the charter of the Trade Advisory Committee on Africa (TACA) for a four-year term to expire on March 27, 2010. The USTR is also requesting nominations for membership on TACA and notes that in order to receive full consideration, nominations for current vacancies should be received not later than June 25, 2006. (FR Pub 05/26/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-8086.pdf)

6. FDA Final Rule on Use of Coronary Health Claim for Certain Barley

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a final rule, effective May 22, 2006, which adopts without change the interim final rule authorizing a health claim on the relationship between oat beta-glucan soluble fiber and reduced risk of coronary heart disease. The interim final rule had added whole grain barley and dry milled barley grain products as an additional eligible source of beta-glucan soluble fiber for the health claim. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/30/06 news, 06013099 4, for BP summary of the interim final rule.) (D/N 2004P-0512, FR Pub 05/22/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-4703.pdf)

7. EPA Modifies List of Products Scheduled for Regulation Under Clean Air Act

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued notice which modifies the list of product categories scheduled for regulation under section 183(e) of the Clean Air Act, effective May 16, 2006. The modification adds portable fuel containers (PFCs) for regulation and removes petroleum dry cleaning solvents from the list of product categories for regulation. (D/N OAR-2004-0386, FR Pub 05/16/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-7405.pdf)

8. USTR Initiates Review of Proposed FTA between U.S. and Malaysia

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has issued an announcement that through the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) is initiating an environmental review of the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between the United States and Malaysia. Public comments are due by July 7, 2006. (FR Pub 05/23/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-7852.pdf)

9. BIS' RPTAC to Hold Partially Open Meeting on June 13, 2006

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a notice announcing that the Regulations and Procedures Technical Advisory Committee (RPTAC) will hold a partially open meeting in Washington, DC on June 13, 2006. Among other things, country updates on Libya and Venezuela will be provided and the proposed rule on deemed export related to regulatory requirements will be discussed. (FR Pub 05/26/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-4870.pdf)

10. BIS Final Rule Amends Personal Baggage Restrictions for Cuba

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective May 26, 2006, which amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to clarify that certain personal articles are exempt from the 44-pound weight limit on personal baggage authorized for export to Cuba under License Exception Baggage (BAG). (D/N 051219342-5342-01, FR Pub 05/26/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-8092.pdf)

11. FMC Lists OTI Reissuances, Revocations, and Corrections

The FMC has issued three notices that reissue ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licenses, correct OTI licenses, or revoke OTI licenses, as follows:

FMC A.S.A.P. notice (FR Pub (02/15/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-2161.pdf)

FMC Dockside notice (FR Pub (03/01/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-2889.pdf)

FMC Fastlane notice (FR Pub (03/01/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-2888.pdf)

FMC J&S notice (FR Pub (03/01/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-2888.pdf)