Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
MSNBC reports that major changes could be in store for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) when the results of a long awaited top-to-bottom review of the agency's mission, procedures, and personnel are unveiled as soon as the week of June 27, 2005. According to the article, DHS Secretary Chertoff ordered the 60-day review when he took over at DHS from Secretary Ridge, and made it clear that everything in DHS, from how it purchases office supplies to procedures for screening cargo and passengers to the terror alert system were on the table for change. (MSNBC article, dated 06/24/05, available at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8335266/.)
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Export Compliance Daily combines U.S. export control news, foreign border import regulation and policy developments into a single daily information service that reliably informs its trade professional readers about important current issues affecting their operations.
1. Major Changes Could Soon be In Store for DHS After 60-Day Review
2. U.S. and Maldives Sign Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a press release announcing that on June 23, 2004, the U.S. and the Republic of Maldives signed a Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA) designed to assist the two countries in improving the flow of trade and securing it against terrorism. According to the press release, the CMAA will allow CBP to exchange information, intelligence and other assistance with Maldives Customs. In addition, this agreement will provide a basis for cooperation and investigation in the areas of trade fraud, money laundering, smuggling, export controls, and related security. (CBP press release, dated 06/23/05, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/press_releases/06242005_3.xml.)
3. U.S. and China Hold Safeguard Consultations via Videoconference
A U.S. Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (USA-ITA) Textile Development Memo reports that, faced with a June 22, 2005 deadline for holding the first round of consultations on the safeguards implemented on May 23, 2005, the U.S. and China concluded a round of talks via videoconference on June 16, 2005. The article states that all indications are that the session was only a preliminary discussion. (Textile Development Memo, dated 06/17/05, www.usaita.com.)
4. Executive Order Implements Amendments on Border Environment Cooperation Commission and North American Development Bank
On June 17, 2005, President Bush issued Executive Order (EO) 13380 regarding the implementation of amendments to the agreement on Border Environment Cooperation Commission and North American Development Bank. (EO 13380, FR Pub 06/21/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-12354.pdf.)