Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. BTS Says Freight Transportation Index Rose 0.4% in Jan from Dec

2. Mexican Embassy Issues Statement on Cross-Border Trucking Dispute

On March 9, 2010, the Mexican Embassy to the U.S. posted a statement urging the Obama Administration to come forward with a specific proposal to revolve the U.S.-Mexico cross-border trucking impasse. The Mexican government notes that it continues to seek every opportunity for dialogue and engagement with the Administration and Congress on this issue. (Statement, posted 03/09/10, available at http://portal.sre.gob.mx/usa/index.php?option=news&task=viewarticle&sid=285)

3. EC Plans Proposal to Allow More Choice on GMO Cultivation, Approves 5 GMO Decisions

The European Commission has announcedits intention to come up with a proposal bysummer 2010 to allow Member States more choicein deciding whether to cultivate Genetically Modified Organisms. The EC also announced theadoptionoffive GMO decisions, two concerning the genetically modified Amflora potatoandthreeon the placing on the market of three GM maize products. The ECalso posted aQ&A documenton GMOs. (Press release, dated 03/02/10, available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/222&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

4. ITC FR Notice on Investigation of Possible Modification to Bahrain FTA Rules of Origin

The International Trade Commission has issued a Federal Register notice announcing its institution of the investigation, "Certain Combed Cotton Yarns: Effect of Modification of U.S.-Bahrain FTA Rules of Origin." Written comments are due by April 29, 2010. The ITC will submit its report to the U.S. Trade Representative by July 12, 2010. (FR Pub 03/11/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-5218.pdf)

5. OTEXA Announces Reduced Australian Import Tariffs on Textiles, Etc.

The Office of Textiles and Apparel has issued a notice stating that under the Australian Customs Tariff Amendment (Textile, Clothing and Footwear post-2005 Arrangements) Act 2004, the General rates on textile, clothing and footwear goods were reduced on January 1, 2010. In addition, tariff rates for certain U.S.-originating goods were also reduced on January 1, 2010, in accordance with the terms of the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement. (Notice, dated 03/10/10, available at http://web.ita.doc.gov/otexa/hotiss.nsf/7bfa72c94f543da685256e5b00498a4d/8a1ff8ec9f48156d852576e2004d39bc?OpenDocument)

6. FMCSA Reminder on Fifth HOS Listening Session

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a reminder that it will hold a fifth public listening session on hours-of-service requirements for property-carrying drivers on March 26, 2010, at the Mid-America Truck Show in Louisville, Kentucky. In January, the FMCSA held HOS listening session in Arlington, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and Davenport. (News release, dated 03/03/10, available at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/news/news-releases/2010/Announcing-5th-HOS-listening-session.aspx)

7. FWS Announces its COP15 Positions on CITES Species Proposals, Etc.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is announcing the availability of tentative U.S. negotiating positions on amendments to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendices (species proposals), draft resolutions and decisions, and agenda items for consideration at the Conference of the Parties to CITES (COP15) during March 2010. (FR Pub 03/11/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-5458.pdf)

8. USTR Kirk Comments on House Trade Working Group Meeting

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has posted USTR Kirk's comments from his recent meeting on Capitol Hill with House Trade Working Group Chairman Michaud, Representative Slaughter, Representative Sutton, and other working group members to discuss the upcoming negotiations in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and other trade matters. (Press release, dated 03/10/10, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2010/march/ustr-kirk-comments-constructive-meeting-house-trade-)

9. USTR Posts Kirk's Remarks on Trade Agenda

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has posted USTR Kirk's remarks, as prepared for delivery, for the March 9, 2010 National Press Club meeting on the Administration's 2010 Trade Agenda. Kirk stated that the Administration is seeking to resolve outstanding issues on the Colombia, Korea, and Panama Free Trade Agreements, has expanded its enforcement activities, and this month will introduce a new report to identify and address troublesome technical barriers to trade and sanitary and phytosanitary barriers. (Remarks, dated 03/09/10, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/speeches/transcripts/2010/march/remarks-united-states-trade-representative-ron)

10. UNECE Adopts New Electric/Hybrid Vehicle "Type Approval" Requirements

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe has adopted a new version of UNECE Regulation No. 100 which introduces "type approval" requirements for all types of electric and hybrid vehicles' electric safety requirements. Once this approval has been obtained, the vehicle will benefit from mutual recognition of the approval in all Contracting Parties applying UNECE Regulation No. 100, currently 41 countries. (Press release, dated 03/10/10, available at http://www.unece.org/press/pr2010/10trans_p06.htm)

11. CPSC Posts Chairman's Remarks at Juvenile Product Event

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has posted Chairman Tenenbaum's keynote address at the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association summit. Tenenbaum again stated that there will be a new federal safety standard for cribs this year; that she expects CPSC to vote in May on final rules for baby bath seats and infant walkers; and she called on those who participate in voluntary standards committees to "step up their standards." (Remarks, posted 03/09/10, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/pr/tenenbaum03092010.html)

12. CPSC Lists Voluntary Recalls

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published notice of the following voluntary recalls:

(CPSC recalls available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelmar10.html)

13. Foreign Trade Zone Board Actions and Notices

The Foreign Trade Zone Board has issued the following actions and notices:

FTZ 170-Application for Reorganization/Expansion Under Alternative Site Framework: Foreign Trade Zone 170; Jeffersonville, IN

FTZ 70- Applications for Expansion: Foreign Trade Zone 70; Detroit, MI

14. Revised FDA Import Alerts

The Food and Drug Administration has posted revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:

99-19: Food Products Due to the Presence of Salmonella

22-01: Cantaloupes from Mexico

16-125: Refrigerated (Not Frozen) Vacuum Pak or Modified Atmosphere Packaged Raw Fish and Fishery Product