International Trade Reporter: Current Reports Index-Summary

BAGS

BAHAMAS

– Intellectual property, new law to restore copyright protection for U.S. pay TV content, 1366

BAHRAIN

– Bilateral agreements, U.S. FTA, CBP interim rule, In Brief, 761

BALANCE OF TRADE

– Current account deficit, DOC report, 4th quarter 2008, 414; first quarter 2009, 847; 2nd quarter 2009, 1278
– Deficit

– – Japan registers first trade deficit in 28 years in FY2008, data show, 578
– – U.S., DOC report, Nov. 2008, 71; Dec. 2008, 243; Jan. 2009, 375; Feb. 2009, 509; March 2009, 640; April 2009, 812; June 2009, 1126; July 2009, 1242

– Exports

– – China, exports decreased in Dec. 2008 by greatest margin in decade, 77; exports continued to decline in Jan. 2009, 254; exports and trade surplus fall sharply in Feb. 2009, 384; exports continued to fall in March 2009, 647; official says rebound in exports expected in 2010, 1472
– – Global trade, WTO sees upturn in 2nd quarter results, 1273
– – India to miss export target for FY2009 due to global economic downturn, commerce minister says, 325
– – Japan, exports to U.S. decrease record 58 percent in Feb. 2009, 455
– – Latin American trade plunges 31.8 percent in April 2009, 1136; UNECLAC says exports likely to drop 11 percent in 2009, 1213

– Import-export prices, BLS report, Dec. 2008, 94; Jan. 2009, 273; Feb. 2009, 375; March 2009, 510; April 2009, 670; May 2009, 813; July 2009, 1127; August 2009, 1242; Sept. 2009, 1424
– Shifts in U.S. Merchandise Trade 2007, In Brief, 95
– Trade surplus

– – Brazil, surplus decreased 38 percent in 2008, 103; July 2009 balance shows effects of weak U.S. dollar, 1169
– – Canada, merchandise trade surplus decreased by 11.1 percent in Oct. 2008 in response to currency decline, 50
– – Euro zone surplus more than doubled in June 2009, 1128
– – Japan, June surplus increases 388 percent, 1099

– Trading partners, China moves ahead of U.S. in April as Brazil's leading partner, 620
– Volume

– – G-7 trade volume weakened in 3rd quarter 2008, OECD reports, 184; OECD says 4th quarter 2008 declines in trade flow eased in early 2009, 608
– – Global trade expected to fall 10 percent in 2009, Lamy says, 910
– – Switzerland announces sharp drop in exports and imports in 4th quarter 2008, 219
– – U.S. exports to China grew faster than to other nations, business group says, 821

BANGLADESH

– Bilateral agreements, U.S. TIFA, officials meet to discuss negotiating possible treaty, 1434
– Duty-free imports of apparel and textiles, Senate actions

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, S 1141

BANKING

– Banamex, Mexican lawmakers vote to challenge Citigroup control, 1437
– Ex-Im Bank

See EXPORT-IMPORT BANK, U.S. (EX-IM BANK)

– Mergers and acquisitions, Chinese banks likely not looking to acquire U.S. banks in near future, top regulator says, 324
– World Bank

See WORLD BANK

BARRIERS TO TRADE

See COUNTERVAILING DUTIES; DUMPING; PROTECTIONISM

BATTERIES

– Lithium ion batteries

– – China reviews draft safety regulation for use in mobile devices, 1430
– – South Korea to allow U.S. and foreign laboratories to conduct safety compliance testing, 1362

– Rechargeable batteries, Japan objects to new certification requirements from South Korea, 885

BEDS AND MATTRESSES

– China, uncovered innerspring unit exports, DOC final dumping determination (ITA), 28; material injury determination (ITC), 165

BEEF

– Exports from U.S. down slightly in April 2009, 846
– Food safety, Russia may remove several U.S. plants from list of producers eligible to export, 1159
– Hormone-treated beef, EU ban on imports of U.S. products, U.S. modifies list of EU products subject to additional import duties, 97; U.S. and EU close to agreement on interim settlement of dispute, 377; U.S. and EU very close to agreement to head off sanctions, 416; European Comm'n to offer trade concessions to end dispute, 417; EU and U.S. agree to continue negotiations, 540; USTR official expresses optimism over resolution of dispute, 574; U.S. and EU announce provisional deal, 611; U.S. delays imposing duties on EU imports in wake of bilateral accord, 642; U.S. farm group disappointed with provisional agreement, 643; U.S. and EU release details of deal, 706; 8 beef-exporting nations say deal not consistent with WTO rules, 848; retaliatory measures terminated because industry failed to ask for timely continuance (CIT), 890; U.S. appeals refund of duties, 1171; court declines to vacate denial of class certification (CIT), 1332
– Mad cow disease

See MAD COW DISEASE

– Market access

– – Chile, U.S. shipments to resume with clarification of FTA, USTR announces, 457
– – House Ways and Means Republicans support phased approach to opening markets, 1067
– – Japan, U.S. industry group calls for staged approach to reopening market fully, 254; Kirk flags normalizing trade as area of concern, 925; Japan appoints new food safety commission chairman, 965
– – Russia, 5-year meat protocol with U.S. addresses quotas for beef, poultry, and pork, 45; government limits some imports due to swine flu concerns, 574; Russia lifts some import restrictions, 646; Russia broadens swine flu-related import restrictions, 673; Russia amends import restrictions on state-by-state basis, 817; Russia lifts swine flu restrictions on imports, 1030
– – South Korea, Canada initiates WTO dispute complaint against certain import restrictions, 514
– – Taiwan, U.S. envoy urges government to lift import ban, 787; AIT director confident of full acceptance of U.S. imports, 927
– – Vietnam, Baucus (D-Mont) urges full opening of market to U.S. exports, 20

BELARUS

– Taxation

– – Foreign investment, government offers new tax breaks to domestic and foreign investors, 1128; government aims to reduce capital gains income taxes for foreign organizations, 1427
– – VAT, authorities revive plans to raise rate but meanwhile offer new tax breaks for exporters, 1321

– WTO accession, government pledges to intensify efforts to join, 451; Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan to start joint negotiations to join WTO as customs union, 778; Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan vow to push ahead with plans to file joint application, 849; high-level officials from proposed customs union discuss joint draft code and unified tariffs, 879; Russian authorities insist plans to pursue customs union bid remain workable, 1096; Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan agree to form joint negotiating team, 1160; Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan agree on joint customs tariffs and customs code, 1320; Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus still working to find mechanism to join WTO as customs union, 1389; Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus abandon customs union plan, 1426; Belarus officials still favor joint accession plan, 1466

BHUTAN

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

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, S 1141

BIOFUELS

– Agricultural policies, U.S. should change production incentives, OECD suggests, 913
– Biodiesel fuel, EU to impose provisional antidumping duties on U.S. imports due to tax credit program, 274; EU member states approve proposal to impose temporary countervailing duties on imports from U.S., 320; European Comm'n officially announces temporary duties, 377; EU finance ministers extend duties for 5 years, 919
– Ethanol import tariff, Grassley (R-Iowa) to block nominee for ambassador to Brazil until Obama administration clarifies stance, 1039; Clinton and Kirk assure Grassley that Obama administration supports tariff, 1069

BIOTECHNOLOGY

– GMOs

See GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMOs)

BOLIVIA

– ATPA trade benefits, White House does not reinstate eligibility, 929; business groups urge denial of extension of benefits, 1399
– ATPDEA trade benefits, Engel (D-NY) urges high-level dialogue to reinstate suspended duty-free benefits, 330
– Mercosur agrees to increase imports to compensate for loss of ATPA duty-free benefits, 22

BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY (BSE)

See MAD COW DISEASE

BRAZIL

– Balance of trade

– – China moves ahead of U.S. in April as Brazil's leading partner, 620
– – Trade surplus decreased 38 percent in 2008, 103; July 2009 balance shows effects of weak U.S. dollar, 1169

– Bilateral agreements

– – Mexico FTA, leaders express mutual interest in accord, 1167; negotiations to begin soon, 1330
– – U.S. TIFA, executives endorse agreement as precursor to broader treaty, 1007

– Cotton, 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
– Customs, classification of imported products, new law likely to cause headaches for importing firms, 1134
– Doha Round, government losing hope of reviving negotiations, 1059; officials say think tank study confirms that proposed industrial tariff agreements not beneficial, 1312
– Economic policy, central bank to provide loans to companies needing help to make foreign debt payments, 50
– Export financing, expansion of number of firms with access to government program announced, 328
– IFC syndication, World Bank deal to boost credit for trade finance, In Brief, 259
– Import controls, government unexpectedly announces license requirement, 162; government suspends controversial measure, 191
– Intellectual property, EU dispute over generic medicines seized in Netherlands erupts over WTO obligations, 185; NGOs call on WHO and WTO to prevent seizure of legitimate shipments, 271; Brazil claims increasing number of cases involving seizure of shipments in transit through Netherlands, 329; Brazil and India protest continued seizures by EU authorities, 779
– Livestock and plant diseases, industry representative says removing sanitary and phytosanitary barriers better for trade than concluding Doha Round, 1364
– Mercosur

See MERCOSUR (SOUTHERN COMMON MARKET)

– Orange juice exports to U.S.

– – Dumping, DOC reasonably allowed offset for drawback refunds (Fed. Cir.), 53; USTR seeking public comment on request for WTO consultations, In Brief, 860; Brazil to seek establishment of WTO dispute panel, 1166; U.S. blocks request for dispute panel scrutiny of ADD order, 1211; Brazil to renew request for WTO dispute panel, 1257; USTR seeks comments on Brazil's request, In Brief, 1258; Brazil's 2nd request for WTO dispute panel accepted, 1328
– – WTO consultation request, USTR seeking public comments, In Brief, 860
– – Zeroing, USTR seeking public comment on request for WTO consultations, 55; Brazil broadens WTO dispute case, 757; USTR seeking public comment on request for WTO consultations, In Brief, 860

– Petrobras, U.S. Export-Import Bank establishes preliminary commitment of $2B in financing, 681
– Polyethylene terephthalate resins from Argentina, WTO ends dispute proceedings, 222
– Prestressed concrete steel wire strand, AD order sunset review, In Brief, 362
– Steel

– – Buy American, exporters do not expect to suffer from ARRA provisions, 286
– – Tariffs, government raises import duties on 7 products, 791

– Taxation

– – Auto industry wins 3-month extension of tax breaks, 458
– – Excise tax credit, exporters lose case in surprise court ruling, 1167
– – Export zones, decree creates regulatory organ for certain companies, 551
– – Incentive for exporters likely to benefit agribusiness most, 490

– Tires, ban on imports of retreaded tires

– – EU delays imposing trade sanctions to give Brazil more time to ensure compliance with WTO dispute panel ruling, 50
– – Supreme Court calls used tires “environmental waste” and bans imports, 931; Brazil claims compliance with ruling, 1327

– Trade policy

– – Argentina dispute, foreign ministers fail to resolve differences in new round of talks, 286; Argentina eases import restrictions, 1072
– – U.S. relations

– – – Pres. Obama to meet with Pres. Lula, In Brief, 359
– – – Shannon nomination as ambassador, business groups urge Senate leaders to schedule early vote, 1456

– – WTO urges government to lower tariffs on imports and improve foreign investment regime, 358

– Wood, DOC releases report on softwood lumber subsidies, 22

BSE (BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY)

See MAD COW DISEASE

BUDGET, U.S.

See specific agencies and departments
– Omnibus FY2009 appropriations measure

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 1105

BURKINA FASO

– Handloomed and handmade articles, preferential tariff treatment, In Brief, 1108

BURMA

See MYANMAR

BUY AMERICAN

– Broadband infrastructure, ARRA provisions could cause problems for companies seeking NITA grants, 736; DOC to waive ARRA obligation, 874
– Brownfields, ARRA provisions apply to projects funded with stimulus money under certain grants, EPA says, 913
– Developing countries, provisions harm poorest in least developed and developing countries, coalition warns Obama administration, 449
– Economic stimulus package actions

– – Congressional actions

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 1, S 1

– – EPA grants waiver to avoid blocking refinancing of debt for water projects, 474
– – Government contracts, business groups urge Congress to reject inserting into legislative package, 147
– – Implementation, interim rules published by DOD, GSA, and NASA, 440; business groups tell senior GOP lawmakers that certain provisions hinder projects, jobs, and exports, 1385
– – OMB issues interim final guidance, 473

– Expansion of policies to aid manufacturing sector poses risks, economist says, 989
– GPA, EU raises new questions about compatibility of ARRA provisions, 440
– Mandate, 2 GOP House lawmakers seek joint hearing, 953
– Protectionism

– – Canada calls ARRA provisions protectionist, 679; industry minister raises concerns about expansion of provisions, 716; government officials voice opposition to certain provisions, 770
– – China warns U.S. to avoid trade protectionism, 234
– – WTO, U.S. assures members that provisions will not affect current market access rights, 305

– Public works projects, ARRA provisions regrettable step toward protectionism, Analysis and Perspective, 938
– State and local government, U.S. Chamber of Commerce calls for more clarity in application of ARRA provisions to certain contracts, 824; business group urges OMB not to apply ARRA rules, 952
– Steel

– – Brazil exporters do not expect to suffer from ARRA provisions, 286
– – Canadian producers urge government to seek changes in language, 457; Stockwell, Kirk, and Locke meet to discuss recent proposal to ease restrictions, 1255; Pres. Obama reassures Prime Minister Harper that resolution of issue possible, 1289; senior staff discuss Canadian proposal for exemption, 1364

– Water infrastructure, ARRA provisions delaying projects, utility and business officials say, 809; Oberstar (D-Minn) prods EPA about implementation of waiver provisions, 1058; EPA revises conditions for waivers, 1088

BYRD AMENDMENT

– Claims for distribution, CBP sets deadline for accepting FY2009 claims, 775
– Petition support requirement constitutional (Fed. Cir.), 290; petition for rehearing en banc denied, 1401
– Retaliation, EU to reduce amount of duties applied to U.S. imports stemming from long-standing WTO dispute, 558; EU maintains additional duties on U.S. imports under 14 tariff lines, 622
– Warmwater shrimp, claim of unlawful withholding of reconsideration decisions by group of domestic producers and harvesters not dismissed (CIT), 756