International Trade Reporter: Current Reports Index-Summary

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

– Customs, CBP FOIA electronic reading room, In Brief, 1463
– Intellectual property, 2 interest groups drop FOIA suit seeking disclosure of ACTA documents (D.D.C.), 890
– Trade policy, European Comm'n to refute charges of instituting restrictions, 740

ACTA (ANTI-COUNTERFEITING TRADE AGREEMENT)

See INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE

– Agriculture, USDA seeks comments on proposed rule establishing procedures and eligibility criteria for TAA for Farmers program, 1199
– Budget, FY2009 appropriations, DOL allocates $447M to states in initial funding, 1463
– Economic stimulus package

– – Senate actions

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, S 1

– – TGAAA implementation, DOC proposes rules to bring program into compliance with ARRA requirements, 606; DOL proposes rule to change state TAA funding and personnel, 1124

– Eligibility for certification, DOJ must independently reconsider theories for admissibility of request (CIT), 893
– Textiles, 4 Tenn. workers who lost jobs after Invista shifted production to Mexico may apply for TAA and ATAA (CIT), 1439
– U.S. Chamber of Commerce issues modernization recommendations as House Democrats propose expansion, 94

ADVISORY COMMITTEES

– BIS TACs, private sector membership recruitment, In Brief, 1157
– Commercial Operations of CBP Advisory Comm. (COAC), open meeting, In Brief, 539; 996; 1424
– Consultative Group to Eliminate use of Child Labor and Forced Labor in Imported Agricultural Products, Vilsak announces appointment of 13 members to panel, 1317
– Council of Economic Advisers, Senate approval of Goolsbee nomination, In Brief, 243
– Emerging Tech. and Research Advisory Comm. (ETRAC), partially closed meeting, In Brief, 152; 415; 705; 1280
– Envtl. Tech. Trade Advisory Comm. (ETTAC) plenary meeting, In Brief, 1424
– Indus. Trade Advisory Comm. on Small and Minority Bus. (ITAC-11) meeting, In Brief, 1158
– Info. Sys. Tech. Advisory Comm. meeting, In Brief, 511; 1425
– Instrumentation Tech. Advisory Comm. meeting, In Brief, 511
– Intl. Econ. Policy Advisory Comm. presents report on provisions of existing model BIT, 1351
– Lobbyists, White House considering barring from service on panels used by agencies to provide outside perspectives on policy, 1276; White House responds to letter from ITAC chairs criticizing proposed ban, 1455
– Materials Tech. Advisory Comm., partially closed meeting, In Brief, 610; 1127
– NAFTA, Judicial Watch may sue DOC over alleged violations of FACA (D.C. Cir.), 1439
– Regulations and Procedures Tech. Advisory Comm. (RPTAC) meeting, In Brief, 1157
– Sensors and Instrumentation Tech. Advisory Comm. (SITAC) meeting, In Brief, 1425
– Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Comm., special meeting, In Brief, 1446
– Transatlantic Econ. Council, ministerial talks to be held in fall 2009, 612; labor unions invited to offer input to discussions on revamped forum, 643; next meeting set, 1201; forum to focus on promoting regulatory cooperation, 1427; ministers agree on development of work program for regulatory cooperation, 1454
– Transp. and Related Equip. Tech. Advisory Comm. (TRANSTAC) meeting, In Brief, 1157; 1425

AEROSPACE INDUSTRY

– Airbus subsidies, U.S. complaint against EU, WTO dispute panel ruling delayed further, 46; Kirk promises swift reaction against new state aid, 878; WTO to rule on case soon, 984; Airbus downplays importance of WTO ruling, 1029; WTO panel issues preliminary ruling, 1188; WTO ruling could force firm to review A350 financing plans, Analysis and Perspective, 1219; Shelby (R-Ala) says WTO ruled that subsidies perfectly legal, 1244; Kirk says U.S. worked “long and hard” to prove subsidies inconsistent with WTO rules, 1282
– Bell commercial helicopters, Ex-Im Bank loan, In Brief, 705
– Cessna aircraft, Ex-Im Bank loan, In Brief, 705
– Export controls, Gordon (D-Tenn) to ask Pres. Obama for comprehensive investigation into impact of current controls, 311; satellite industry presses Congress for reforms, 474; Tauscher expresses support for transfer of commercial communications satellites to list of controlled exports, 807; further action, see LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 2410
– Satellites, USTR seeks comments on access to EU market, 540
– Spacecraft components, U.S. and India sign technology safeguards agreement on use of U.S. parts in vehicles launched from Indian facilities, 1002

AFGHANISTAN

– Duty-free imports of apparel and textiles, Senate actions

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, S 1141

– Free Trade Zone

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 1318

– Trade preferences program

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 1886

AFRICA

See also specific countries
– Cotton growers say global financial crisis adversely affecting key markets, 591
– Global economic crisis, African Development Bank president expresses mixed views on prospects for recovery, 975; World Bank president says war-torn countries still progressing, 1178
– Sub-Saharan region

– – Infrastructure conditions hamper exports, ITC says, 686
– – Textiles and apparel, ITC assesses competitiveness, 724; GAO looks at ways to improve competitiveness, 1144

– Trade policy

– – India announces incentives for exports as part of 5-year plan, 1205
– – U.S. relations, White House still in process of developing agenda, 760; CCA president says consolidation of preference programs not in U.S. interest, 976; Pres. Obama says open markets “not enough” to ensure greater trade, 1107

AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT (AGOA)

– Beneficiaries, Mauritania, Pres. Bush terminates status as beneficiary sub-Saharan country, 12
– Eligibility, USTR soliciting public comments for annual review of benefits list, 1338
– Extension of benefits, South Africa proposes more time for treaty to work, 1403
– List of covered products, USTR signals opposition to expansion, 1076
– Trade policy, U.S. to hold high-level talks soon as 2-way trade plummets, 895; Kirk to look at supply-side constraints facing sub-Saharan beneficiary countries, 1076
– Unisex medical uniforms, importer failed to provide traceable production timeline (CIT), 1171

AFRICAN REGIONAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION (ARIPO)

– Bilateral cooperation agreement with U.S., In Brief, 1372

AGOA

See AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT (AGOA)

AGRICULTURAL EXPORT SUBSIDIES, DOHA ROUND

– Appointments and personnel changes

– – Falconer to resign as chair to return to New Zealand, 408
– – Walker expected to become next chairman, 477; General Council reaches deal, 507

– Future of talks, Falconer to press ahead with talks despite lack of U.S. negotiating team, 237; Walker vows fast action to revive talks, 568
– New Delhi meeting, breakthrough yields plans to restart negotiations, 1191
– Sensitive products, key U.S. trading partners concerned by apparent shift in negotiating position, 1413
– Work plans, Walker plans on round of consultations to help narrow differences on technical issues, 840

AGRICULTURE

– Adjustment assistance, USDA seeks comments on proposed rule establishing procedures and eligibility criteria for TAA for Farmers program, 1199
– Bilateral agreements

– – China-U.S. MOU, In Brief, 1324
– – Japan, USTR meeting with minister, In Brief, 1397

– Biotechnology

See GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMOs)

– Budget, FY2010 appropriations, Pres. Obama unveils proposed phaseout of subsidies for larger farm operations, 306; House Appropriations Comm. passes bill, 844
– Child labor, Vilsak announces appointment of 13 members to consultative group, 1317
– Cotton

– – African growers say global financial crisis adversely affecting key markets, 591
– – Board rules amendments, In Brief, 511
– – Brazil, subsidies for growers, U.S. contests “exaggerated” claims for compensation in WTO dispute, 327; WTO ruling on Brazil retaliation delayed further, 930; WTO approves methodology for Brazil to impose annual sanctions, 1209; Kirk and Amorim indicate continued desire to negotiate solution, 1290; Brazil calls on U.S. to supply data on export credit guarantees, 1326
– – China, new registration system for imports clear violation of WTO commitments, U.S. lawmakers say, 323

– Dairy products

See DAIRY PRODUCTS

– Duty-free goods, Pres. Bush extends treatment for certain Israeli products, 56
– Export duties, Argentine farmers resume strikes against high grain and beef export duties, 287; second protest of the year begins, 426; farmers to launch suspension of shipments following presidential veto of relief measure, 1214; government exempts smaller wheat and corn planters from export duties, 1258
– Fees, APHIS user fee increase, In Brief, 511
– Fruits

See FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

– GMOs

See GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMOs)

– Livestock and plant diseases

See LIVESTOCK AND PLANT DISEASES

– Market access, Senate Finance Comm. leaders request ITC report on U.S. access to Indian markets, 78; ITC investigation into effects of tariff and nontariff measures, In Brief, 255
– Meat

See MEAT AND POULTRY
– – Beef

See BEEF

– – Mad cow disease

See MAD COW DISEASE

– OECD review, U.S. should do more to reform policies to encourage competition, report says, 913
– Organic product certification, Canada and U.S. agree to recognition reciprocity, 856
– Pork

See MEAT AND POULTRY

– Poultry

See MEAT AND POULTRY

– Protectionism, major emerging economies should avoid short-term fixes, OECD report says, 413
– Single payment scheme, EU plan to be declared as exempt from WTO spending limits, 307
– Statistics, China, TRQ report shows decline in imports of major farm commodities, 278
– Subsidies

– – Doha Round

See AGRICULTURAL EXPORT SUBSIDIES, DOHA ROUND

– – EU forwards new domestic support notifications to WTO, 344
– – Russia indicates flexibility on amber box support in WTO accession talks, 742; Russia urges members to review, In Brief, 1203
– – U.S. notifies WTO of latest figures showing declining domestic support for farms in 2006-2007, 146

– Sugar

See SUGAR

– Taxation, Brazil incentive for exporters likely to benefit agribusiness most, 490
– Vegetables

See FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

– Wheat

See generally GRAIN TRADE

– Wood products

See WOOD

AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT (USDA)

– Appointments and personnel changes

– – Merrigan sworn in, In Brief, 511
– – Miller sworn in, In Brief, 511

– Budget, FY2010 appropriations

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 2997

AIR TRANSPORTATION

– Airport construction, USTR list of fair market opportunities, In Brief, 610
– Antitrust, Cargolux Airlines Intl., Nippon Cargo Airlines, and Asiana Airlines agree to plead guilty and pay fines for air cargo price fixing, 538
– Cargo screening, TSA announces interim final rule to implement Certified Cargo Screening Program, 1239
– Export financing, U.S. Ex-Im Bank agrees to finance Egyptair purchase of 5 Boeing 737-800s aircraft, 1198
– Registration, Russian Pres. Medvedev signs measure on aircraft registration rules to harmonize with WTO standards, 380
– Statistics, industry group cites unprecedented fall in international air cargo traffic, 212

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

– Taxation

– – Canada drops tariffs on wine and beer imports from EU to implement WTO dispute settlement, 23
– – India, EU broadens WTO complaint challenging levy on imported wines and spirits, 648
– – Philippines, EU initiates WTO dispute proceedings against taxes on imported spirits, 1064
– – Uruguay, EU drops plans to pursue WTO complaint after resolving import tax dispute, 1358

ANALYSIS AND PERSPECTIVE

– Business restructurings, customs considerations of OECD discussion draft, 57
– Buy American provisions of ARRA regrettable step toward protectionism, 938
– Export financing, WTO ruling could force Airbus to review A350 financing plans, 1219
– Homeland security, Obama Administration and Congress must protect national security and prosperity by strengthening dual-use export enforcement, 687

ANDEAN TRADE PREFERENCE ACT (ATPA)

– Cohesion of trading bloc in doubt as members threaten to go own way, 753
– Designated beneficiary countries meeting eligibility criteria, public comments sought, In Brief, 222
– Status

– – Annual review, USTR announces launch of process, 1170
– – Bolivia, White House does not reinstate eligibility for benefits, 929; business groups urge denial of extension of benefits, 1399
– – Colombia, business groups urge extension of benefits, 1399
– – Ecuador, coalition of business groups urges USTR to review eligibility, 825; White House continues eligibility for benefits, 929; Chevron urges USTR to limit benefits, 1328; business groups urge denial of extension of benefits, 1399
– – Paraguay addition to list

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 1837

– – Peru, business groups urge extension of benefits, 1399

ANDEAN TRADE PROMOTION AND DRUG ERADICATION ACT (ATPDEA)

– Bolivia, Engel (D-NY) urges high-level dialogue to reinstate suspended duty-free benefits, 330
– Expansion and extension of benefits to Uruguay and Paraguay, Lugar (R-Ind) introduces measure, 1293

ANGOLA

– U.S. FTA, officials sign agreement, 761

ANIMALS AND PLANTS

– Diseases

See LIVESTOCK AND PLANT DISEASES

– Lacey Act amendments for plants and plant products, APHIS withdraws draft implementation schedule for regulatory review, 149; APHIS publishes revised implementation requirements for reporting, 182
– Nursery stock imports, APHIS final rule on ash (Fraxinus spp.) plants, In Brief, 13

ANTI-COUNTERFEITING TRADE AGREEMENT (ACTA)

See INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

ANTITRUST

– Air transportation, Cargolux Airlines Intl., Nippon Cargo Airlines, and Asiana Airlines agree to plead guilty and pay fines for air cargo price fixing, 538
– Fruit juices, China rejects Coca-Cola bid to purchase nation's largest juice maker, 423
– Global economic crisis, EU official advises OECD meeting attendees on role of policy in recovery efforts, 248
– Regulatory barriers, OECD gives France mixed review, 646

APEC

See ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC)

APPAREL

– Benefits, Dominican Republic, DOC publishes interim procedures for new program, 163
– CAFTA-DR, ITC launches investigation of “2-for-1” program for Dominican Republic, 584
– Competitiveness, ITC assesses sub-Saharan Africa potential inputs, 724; GAO looks at ways to improve competitiveness, 1144
– Cotton and manmade fiber woven trousers from Nicaragua, TPL reduction, In Brief, 888
– Duty-free imports

– – Haiti, CITA publishes annual limits, In Brief, 25
– – Least developed countries, Senate actions

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, S 1141

– Linking of U.S. yarn to duty-free status for Philippine apparel

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3039

– Men's gloves, gender-based tariff classification challenge, importer files opening brief in precedent-setting appeal (Fed. Cir.), 360; 3-judge panel hears oral arguments, 1369
– Monitoring imports from China and Vietnam, interest group urges Congress to reject program, 279
– Sanctions, U.S. apparel group urges Congress to renew import ban for goods from Burma, 926; industry group welcomes approval of ban renewal, 1034; Pres. Obama renews import restrictions, 1067
– Women's and girls' wool coats from Russia, CITA visa requirement decision, In Brief, 851
– Yarn-dyed poplin fabric apparel and clothing accessories, NAFTA request for rules of origin modification, In Brief, 1137

APPLIANCES

– Kitchen appliance shelving and racks exports, DOC CD investigation preliminarily finds Chinese subsidies (ITA), 28; final affirmative AD/CVD rulings, 1044; material injury determination (ITC), 1174
– Refrigerators, Ukraine import duties, U.S. and other WTO members condemn decision to maintain surcharge, 850; WTO members pressure government to remove surcharge early, 879; government removes surcharge, 1244

ARGENTINA

– Agriculture, farmers resume strikes against high grain and beef export duties, 287; second protest of the year begins, 426; farmers to launch suspension of shipments following presidential veto of relief measure, 1214; Argentina exempts smaller wheat and corn planters from export duties, 1258
– Antidumping orders

– – Non-sports footwear from China, government slaps duties on shoes, 932
– – WTO report shows increase in last half of 2008, 258

– Mercosur

See MERCOSUR (SOUTHERN COMMON MARKET)

– Monsanto patents and royalties dispute, court dismisses government suit but government to continue to litigate, 165
– Ni-resist piston inserts, CVD investigation, 294; reasonable indication of material injury (ITC), 393; preliminary finding of countervailable subsidies (ITA), 935; final affirmative determination (ITA), 1297; negative ruling for Argentina (ITC), 1441
– Polyethylene terephthalate, WTO ends proceedings on dispute with Brazil, 222
– Trade policy, Brazil dispute, foreign ministers fail to resolve trade differences in new round of talks, 286; Argentina eases import restrictions, 1072
– Wheat flour, government initiates WTO dispute proceedings against antidumping duty order imposed by Chile, 681

ARIPO

See AFRICAN REGIONAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION (ARIPO)

ASEAN

See ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN)

ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC)

– Service industries, U.S. actively promoting negotiation of agreement to liberalize trade, 1380
– Singapore annual leaders' meeting, Pres. Obama attendance, In Brief, 1133
– Trade policy, members have collective trading power to move global trade in right direction, Kirk says, 1036

ASIA-PACIFIC REGIONAL DIALOGUE

– Fair trade in legally harvested forest products, U.S. and Indonesia convene first meeting, 1206

ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN)

– Bilateral agreements

– – Australia, pact concluded, 326
– – China signs investment pact, 1131
– – New Zealand, pact concluded, 326
– – U.S., Lugar (R-Ind) introduces resolution encouraging federal officials to initiate FTA negotiations, 1396

ATPA

See ANDEAN TRADE PREFERENCE ACT (ATPA)

ATPDEA

See ANDEAN TRADE PROMOTION AND DRUG ERADICATION ACT (ATPDEA)

AUSTRALIA

– Bilateral agreements

– – ASEAN treaty concluded, 326
– – U.S. FTA, modification of rules of origin for textiles, 49; trade officials meet to review implementation of treaty, 1433

– Trade secrets, China formally charges Rio Tinto executives with bribery and violations of CBI, 1131

AUTOMOBILES

See MOTOR VEHICLES

AVIATION

See AIR TRANSPORTATION

AZERBAIJAN

– Customs, state committee approves plan to replace multilayered system of tariffs with 3-layer system, 541
– GSP, Pres. Bush designates as beneficiary, 12; USTR welcomes designation, In Brief, 47
– Taxation, lawmakers pass special economic zone measure with tax exemptions, 541
– WTO accession, government pledges to safeguard national interests while pursuing entry bid, 275; authorities say multilateral talks to be held soon, 673