The State Department announces that one foreign person and three entities in China, an entity in Belarus, two entities in Iran, and an entity in North Korea have engaged in activities that warrant the imposition of measures pursuant to Section 3 of the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act, which include a ban on U.S. government procurement.
The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued a July 13, 2010 International Agriculture Trade Report which states U.S. agricultural exports to the European Union are on the rebound. In recent years, exports of agricultural products to the EU have trailed growth in overall U.S. agricultural exports to the world. From 2000 to 2009, U.S. exports to all destinations increased by 90 percent (from $52.7 billion to $96.6 billion); over the same time period exports to the EU increased only 17 percent making it one of the slowest growing markets. However, shipments have been strong through the first seven months of fiscal 2010 and are forecast for the year at $8.3 billion, up 9 percent over last year. Exports over the second half of the year will be influenced by the European financial situation, strength of the dollar, and competitor supplies.
The U.S. and Laos signed a comprehensive Open Skies agreement on July 13, 2010 that will expand and liberalize their bilateral civil aviation relationship. The agreement represents a market-oriented approach to aviation relations. The agreement will facilitate trade and tourism links with Laos and provide new commercial opportunities to airlines of the U.S. and Laos and the traveling public, while preserving aviation safety and security.
The Commerce Department announces that Peter Perez, a 40-year veteran of the manufacturing sector, joined the International Trade Administration on July 12, 2010 as the deputy assistant secretary for manufacturing. Perez will be responsible for identifying key factors affecting competitiveness and barriers to exports for more than 21 industry sectors.
Commerce Secretary Locke announced on July 13, 2010 the members of the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a group that will support the Administration's innovation strategy by helping to develop policies that foster entrepreneurship and identifying new ways to take ideas from the lab to the marketplace to drive economic growth and create jobs. Included on the list are Steve Case, Mary Sue Coleman, and Desh Deshpande who will serve as Co-Chairs.
On July 12, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed the 2011 percentage standards for the four fuels categories under the agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard program, known as RFS2. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) established the annual renewable fuel volume targets, reaching an overall level of 36 billion gallons in 2022. To achieve these volumes, EPA calculates a percentage-based standard for the following year. Based on the standard, each refiner, importer and non-oxygenate blender of gasoline determines the minimum volume of renewable fuel that it must ensure is used in its transportation fuel.
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):
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: