Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. CPSC Holds Public Meeting on Jan 6 to Discuss Pending Rules on Electronic Devices & Mandatory Recalls

2. USTR/USDA React to Taiwan's Proposed Ban on Certain U.S. Beef and Beef Products

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a statement on December 30, 2009 expressing deep concern and disappointment over the proposed amendment to Taiwan's Food Sanitation Act that would bar the import of some U.S. beef and beef products. According to the statement, the proposed amendment would constitute a unilateral abrogation of a bilateral agreement concluded by the two countries just two months ago. (Press release, dated 12/29/09, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/december/joint-statement-ustr-usda-proposed-passage-amendm)

3. ADB Economist Says China-ASEAN FTA Could Eventually Include U.S.

China's Ministry of Commerce states that according to Senior Economist Menon of the Asian Development Bank, the 2005 free trade agreement between China and the block of ten ASEAN countries might give birth to a broader, multilateral trading pact across the region that could include Japan, South Korea and the U.S. (News release, dated 12/29/09, available at http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/newsrelease/commonnews/200912/20091206707713.html)

4. ITA Fact Sheet on Preliminary AD Determination on Steel Grating from China

The ITA has issued a fact sheet announcing its preliminary affirmative AD duty determination on certain steel grating from China, with preliminary AD duty rates ranging from 14.36% to 145.18%. (Fact sheet, dated 12/29/09, available at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/download/factsheets/factsheet-Steel-Grating-AD-Prelim-122909.pdf)

5. CBP Requests Applications for CBP Airport and Seaport Inspections User Fee Advisory Committee

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is that requesting individuals who are interested in serving on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Airport and Seaport Inspections User Fee Advisory Committee to apply for appointment by March 1, 2010. (FR Pub 12/30/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-31007.pdf)

6. DOE Announces Jan 26 Public Meeting on Energy Efficiency Rulemaking for Metal Halide Lamp Fixtures

The Department of Energy is announcing that it is initiating a rulemaking and data collection process to establish amended energy conservation standards for certain metal halide lamp fixtures. It will hold an informal public meeting on January 26, 2010 in Washington, D.C. to discuss and receive comments on its planned analytical approach and the issues it will address in the rulemaking proceeding. A framework document for the rulemaking is available here. Written comments are due by January 29, 2010. (D/N EERE-2009-BT-STD-0018, FR Pub 12/30/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-30885.pdf)

7. Four Indicted for Smuggling Counterfeit Computer Components from China & Selling Them in U.S.

The Justice Department reports that four Colorado men were indicted by a federal grand jury on December 14, 2009 on charges of conspiracy, smuggling, and trafficking in counterfeit goods. The indictment alleges that the defendants smuggled counterfeit computer network components into the U.S. from rogue manufactures in China, which they then sold throughout the country. (Press release, dated 12/23/09, available at http://denver.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/2009/dn122309.htm)

8. EU Extends AD Duties on Footwear from China/Vietnam

The European Union has posted a notice officially announcing its extension of antidumping duties on imports of certain footwear with leather uppers from China (16.5%) and Vietnam (10%) for 15 months. (Notice, posted 12/30/09, available at http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2009/december/tradoc_145664.def.en.L352-2009.pdf)

9. Foreign Trade Zone Board Actions and Notices

FTZ 79. Approval of Manufacturing Authority: Tampa, Florida; Tampa Ship, LLC (Shipbuilding)

10. Updated List of Instructions and U.S. Plants for Exporting Meat and Poultry to Foreign Countries

FSIS has provided updated information for the export of U.S. meat and poultry to the following countries:

Japan (December 28, 2009)

Japan (Egg Products) (December 28, 2009)

Russia (December 24, 2009)

11. FAS Global Agriculture Information Network Reports

The Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

Russian Federation Russian Food Security Doctrine Reemerged: Policy and Program Announcements

China National Food Safety Standard - Aerobic Plate Count: FAIRS Subject Report

China National Food Safety Standard - Choline: FAIRS Subject Report

India Weekly Highlights and Hot Bites No. 52: Agriculture in the News

China Canola Quarantine Measure: FAIRS Subject Report

Poland Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards - Narrative: FAIRS Country Report

Thailand 2010 Soybean Meal In-Quota Amount Unlimited; Tariff Reduced: Trade Policy Monitoring

France Proposed Carbon Footprint Labeling Could Step on Trade: Agriculture in the Economy, National Plan, Trade Policy Monitoring

Serbia Wheat and Corn Update with PSD Data Statistics: Grain and Feed

Canada This Week in Canadian Agriculture Issue 33: Agriculture in the News

Russian Federation Livestock and Products Annual: Meat Consumption Falls

12. FMC Lists OTI Applications

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists those applying for ocean transportation intermediary licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:

FMC notice (FR Pub 12/30/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-30962.pdf

13. 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.)