Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Cross-Filing Statements with ACE/RLF Entry Summaries

2. USDA Joins FDA Efforts on New Food Safety Regulations

USDA's fresh produce chief will join FDA to help develop new food safety rules, as part of a cooperative initiative between FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This announcement comes amid beefed up outreach efforts with key agriculture and safe food stakeholders to better share and exchange produce safety "best practices" and ideas. (News release, dated 10/05/09, available at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm185278.htm)

3. U.S., Mexico & Canada Meet to Discuss H1N1, Including Border Issues

On October 5, 2009, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Deputy Secretary Lute today joined her Mexican and Canadian counterparts in Mexico City to discuss continued collaboration to confront the spread of global H1N1 flu. The trilateral meetings focused on coordinating efforts on a broad array of H1N1 issues-including border issues pertaining to inspections and customs issues. (DHS press release, dated 10/05/09, available at http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1254838543389.shtm.)

4. USTR Announces Initiatives to Help Small/Medium Sized Businesses

U.S. Trade Representative Kirk has requested that the International Trade Commission investigate how many small- and medium-sized U.S. enterprises export now, their role in generating employment and economic activity in the U.S., and how increased trading opportunities might benefit these businesses and their workers. At the same time, Kirk is convening a USTR-wide working group to ensure that USTR's policymaking and enforcement efforts immediately seek to better serve small- and medium-sized enterprises. Further information on the initiatives is available here. (Press release, dated 10/05/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/october/kirk-unveils-new-ustr-initiative-small-and-medium-)

5. World Bank Pledges Support for Customs Reform

At a World Bank organized Aid for Trade Facilitation Workshop in Istanbul attended by WCO Secretary General Mikuriya, World Bank President Zoellick pledged support for Customs reform using partnerships with the private sector and working in close cooperation with the WCO. (Notice, dated 10/04/09, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/speeches/default.aspx?lid=1&id=169)

6. U.S.-China Business Council Testifies on China's Implementation of WTO Commitments

The U.S.-China Business Council has posted its testimony from the October 2, 2009 Trade Policy Staff Committee hearing to discuss China's implementation of its World Trade Organization Commitments. Among other things, the Council states that while China has come a long way in its legal framework for intellectual property rights since its WTO accession, it continues to face severe rates of infringement. (Testimony, dated 10/02/09, available at http://www.uschina.org/public/documents/2009/10/wto_testimony.pdf)

7. DOJ Announces Indictment of Chinese National in Stealing Trade Secrets from NJ Company

The Justice Department has announced the indictment of Yan Zhu and co-conspirators in an alleged scheme in which he stole from his New Jersey employer trade secrets and proprietary and confidential business information relating to software for a hazardous waste information management system developed for the Chinese market. (Press release, dated 09/24/09, available at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nj/press/press/files/pdffiles/zhu0924%20rel.pdf)

8. Commerce Secretary Speaks at the Chambers of Commerce in Latin America Annual Conference

At the AACCLA's 42nd annual conference, Commerce Secretary Locke noted that in partnership with AACCLA, Commerce has helped counter anti-U.S. and anti-globalization messages with an outreach campaign, and built private sector driven programs designed to reduce the trade distorting effects of corruption on U.S. businesses. The ITA's Good Governance Program (GGP) is active in seven program countries (Paraguay, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Colombia) and is working to expand its reach in other Latin American countries. (Speech, dated 10/05/09, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/SecretarySpeeches/PROD01_008486)

9. More Details on EPA/NHTSA Public Hearings for the Proposed Rule on Vehicle GHG Emission Standards and CAF Standards

The Environmental Protection Agency and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are announcing the location addresses of their joint public hearings for their "Proposed Rule to Establish Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards and Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards" on October 21, 2009, in Detroit, October 23, 2009 in New York, and October 27, 2009 in Los Angeles. (FR Pub 10/06/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24159.pdf)

10. EPA Receives Petition on Lead Dust Standards, Lead-Based Paint

The EPA is announcing that it has received a petition that requests that EPA lower the regulatory lead dust standards and modify the regulatory definition of lead-based paint. (FR Pub 10/06/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-23929.pdf)

11. October U.S. - Iraq Business and Investment Conference in D.C.

Trade.gov is announcing that The U.S.-Iraq Business and Investment Conference will be held October 20-21 in Washington, D.C., and will offer U.S. companies the opportunity to learn about business and trade opportunities in the Iraqi market. (Notice, posted 10/06/05, available at http://www.trade.gov/iraq/IraqInvest/)

12. CBSA Makes Preliminary Affirmative AD Determination for Certain Steel Plate from Ukraine

Canada Border Services Agency has made a preliminary affirmative determination of dumping regarding certain carbon steel plate and high strength low alloy steel plate originating in or exported from Ukraine. (Notice, posted 10/05/09, available at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/i-e/ad1384/ad1384-i09-np-eng.html)

13. Foreign Trade Zone Actions and Notices

FTZ 134. Chattanooga,TN: Application for Temporary/Interim Manufacturing Authority, etc.; Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations, LLC.

14. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

China Agricultural Biotechnology Annual: Enter a Descriptive Report Name

China Made in China. Made in Dongguan: Market Development Reports

Australia Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Certification: FAIRS Export Certificate Report 2009

Chile Canned Deciduous Fruit Annual: Canned Peach and Canned Peach Puree Annual

Indonesia Rice Update: Grain and Feed

Mexico Organic Seed Imports Require Registered Treatment: Planting Seeds

Venezuela New Sugar Price Rises: Sugar

Thailand Weekly Rice Price Update: Grain and Feed

China U.S. DDGS dashes for China. Mostly to the feed mills of Guangdong: Grain and Feed

Vietnam Trade Report - Monthly Exports: August - 2009

15. Agency Seeks Comments on Information Collections

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

Agency Information Collection Comments Due

(Information collection notices are hyperlinked to agency name.)