International Trade Reporter: Current Reports Index-Summary

EAST TIMOR

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

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, S 1141

ECONOMIC POLICY

– Foreign debt payments, Brazil central bank to provide loans to companies needing help, 50
– Global recession

– – G-8, ICC calls on leaders to increase cooperation, 811
– – G-77 alliance and China warn of possible restrictions on imports to address deteriorating payments situation, 906
– – Poorest countries to be hit hardest by crisis, UNCTAD report finds, 995
– – Taiwan to spend $6.1B to help key industries ride out financial crisis, 48

– National Economic Council, Bloom named as senior counselor for manufacturing policy, 1197
– Recovery

– – CPB report finds growth in world trade still on steep downward path, 1194
– – World Bank economist predicts major rebound for world trade soon, 1121

– Stimulus packages, Switzerland unveils 2nd package of measures in effort to reverse downturn, 247

ECUADOR

– ATPA benefits, 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
– Balance of payments, government reaches agreement with WTO to restrict imports temporarily, 790
– Bananas, EU import regime, exporters jointly chastise failure to end illegal discriminatory tariffs, 155; EU official expresses optimism on reaching agreement while Latin American officials express skepticism, 484
– Bilateral agreements, EU trade negotiations to begin soon, 162; second round of negotiations begins, 425
– Foreign investment, Chevron brings arbitration claim in long-standing environmental dispute, 1332
– Papayas, APHIS proposal, In Brief, 551
– Trade policy, recent moves by government may further weaken trade slump, 1134

EDUCATION

– Course management software, §337 investigation, In Brief, 795

EFTA

See EUROPEAN FREE TRADE ASSOCIATION (EFTA)

EGYPT

– Air transportation, U.S. Ex-Im Bank agrees to finance Egyptair purchase of 5 Boeing 737-800s aircraft, 1198
– Bilateral agreements, U.S. FTA, officials postpone launching negotiations for time being, 760

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND ELECTRONICS

– Broadband infrastructure, ARRA provisions could cause problems for companies seeking NITA grants, 736; DOC to waive ARRA obligation, 874
– Cold cathode fluorescent lamp inverter circuits and products containing them used in LCD displays, §337 investigation, In Brief, 84
– Fiber optic networks and laser light sources used therein, Section 337 investigation, In Brief, 362
– Gas turbine generators, U.S. Export-Import Bank loan to finance GE sale, In Brief, 686
– Graphite electrodes from China, DOC final dumping determination (ITA), 54
– Handheld digital cameras, Section 337 investigation, In Brief, 415; exclusion order and cease and desist order, 429
– Handheld mobile wireless devices containing digital cameras, §337 investigation, In Brief, 29
– Handheld wireless communications devices, §337 investigation, In Brief, 104; 461
– LCD monitors, court reprimands European Comm'n for levying duties on imports, 293
– LED chips and laser diode chips, §337 investigation, In Brief, 494
– Lighting control devices, §337 investigation, In Brief, 656
– Mobile telephones containing digital cameras, §337 investigation, In Brief, 29
– Small electronic devices having image capture or display functionality, Section 337 investigation, In Brief, 461
– Thermal imaging equipment, DOC relaxes export controls on some cameras while imposing controls of re-exports of certain foreign-made military products, 735
– WEEE Directive, European Comm'n proposes tightening rules on hazardous substance content, 75

ENERGY

– American Clean Energy and Security Act

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 2454

– Budget, FY2010 appropriations

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3183

– Efficient buildings, U.S. and China sign MOU to collaborate on developing technology, 1033
– Ethanol tariffs

– – Blender subsidy

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, S 622

– – Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit, Congress should consider making changes, GAO report finds, 1353

– Export financing, Ex-Im Bank approves Pemex development loan, 585
– Nuclear cooperation, UAE deal allows U.S. exports to proceed, 105; Pres. Obama submits agreement to Congress, 723; Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla) calls for withdrawal of deal, 796; House Foreign Affairs Comm. members to continue to oppose pending agreement, 974; Locke says Obama administration to ensure U.S. jobs result from pact, 1178; trade agreement to enter into force soon, 1483
– Packaging and labeling, Mexico publishes rules on high energy consumption reports and efficiency certification, 1291

ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

– Audiovisual and music download services, government restricts sale and distribution of U.S. firms, 323; WTO dispute panel sides with U.S., 543; WTO dispute panel to issue final ruling soon, 748; WTO issues final ruling, 853; China files appeal, 1286
– Motion pictures

– – Indonesia, U.S. criticizes recent restrictions on importation and copying of films, 420
– – Piracy of films, case studies tend to show connection between counterfeit goods, organized crime, and terrorism, Rand report says, 345

– Pay TV, Bahamas to restore copyright protection for U.S. content, 1366

ENVIRONMENT

– Air pollution, Miss. firms allegedly imported and sold Chinese-made nonroad engines that do not comply with CAA emission standards (D.D.C.), 758
– Brownfields, ARRA provisions apply to projects funded with stimulus money under certain grants, EPA says, 913
– Climate change

See CLIMATE CHANGE

– Electronic waste disposal, Chinese rules likely to affect most manufacturers and sellers, 354
– Endangered species

– – Chinese furniture company pleads guilty to smuggling baby cribs made of internationally protected ramin (D.N.J.), 621
– – Salmon, ESA claim does not arise out of law providing for embargo (CIT), 717

– Goods and services, international agreement to lower trade barriers critically important, Saunders tells House panel, 1382
– Green technology

– – Barriers to trade, interest groups call on Obama administration to negotiate international agreement to reduce or eliminate, 1056
– – Larsen (D-Wash) and Kirk (R-Ill) working on amendment to measure banning compulsory licensing, 785

– Seal products, Canada to seek WTO action if EU implements import ban, 652; Canada to request WTO consultations with EU, 1040
– Tuna, U.S. dolphin-safe labeling, Mexico to request WTO dispute panel on alleged blocking of exports, 356; U.S. blocks request, 425; WTO sets up dispute resolution panel, 549

ETHIOPIA

– WTO accession, U.S. to continue to support bid, Kirk says, 1107

See EUROPEAN UNION (EU)

EUROPEAN FREE TRADE ASSOCIATION (EFTA)

– Canada FTA, Canadian Parliament grants final approval, In Brief, 613
– GCC FTA signed, 896
– Ukraine FTA, member nations launch negotiations, 575

EUROPEAN UNION (EU)

– Agriculture

– – Single payment scheme to be declared as exempt from WTO spending limits, 307
– – Subsidies, EU forwards new domestic support notifications to WTO, 344

– Airbus subsidies, U.S. complaint, 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
– Alcoholic beverages, EU drops plans to pursue WTO complaint after resolving Uruguay liquor import tax dispute, 1358
– Balance of trade, euro zone trade surplus more than doubled in June 2009, 1128
– Banana import regime, Latin American exporters jointly chastise failure to end illegal discriminatory tariffs, 155; EU official expresses optimism on reaching agreement while Latin American officials express skepticism, 484
– Barroso as head of executive body, leaders endorse nomination, 851
– Bilateral agreements

– – Canada FTA, Canada launches public consultations on negotiation of comprehensive economic agreement, 23; trade minister confident of launch of negotiations, 164; provinces support trade deal except for Newfoundland fisheries concerns, 289; joint report outlines key areas for negotiations, 351; EU ministers support negotiating mandate, 575
– – Colombia, negotiations to begin, 162; second round of negotiations begins, 425
– – Ecuador, negotiations to begin soon, 162; second round of negotiations begins, 425
– – Mercosur FTA, leaders foresee no headway, 1037; Brazil begins to concentrate efforts on negotiation, 1059
– – Peru, Comm'n agrees to start negotiations, 162; second round of negotiations begins, 425
– – Russia, import duties on cars violate market access agreement on WTO accession, EU says, 74
– – South Korea FTA, Comm'n hopes to finalize terms of agreement soon, 386; South Korea voices renewed confidence in launching agreement, 486; Sweden pledges priority during presidency, 781; Comm'n and Sweden working together to win over holdout member states, 999; Comm'n agrees to sign off on FTA despite opposition from auto industry, 1390; EU and South Korea initial FTA, 1432
– – Trans-Atlantic Economic Council, U.S. and EU looking for possible dates for next meeting, 541
– – U.S. FTA, Sweden proposes pact after expressing frustration with slow pace of Doha Round talks, 1464

– Biodiesel fuel, EU to impose provisional antidumping duties on U.S. imports due to tax credit program, 274; member states approve proposal to impose temporary countervailing duties on imports from U.S., 320; Comm'n officially announces temporary duties, 377; finance ministers extend duties for 5 years, 919
– Byrd Amendment, EU to reduce amount of retaliatory 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
– Cell phones, South Korea resolves duty dispute, 1132
– Climate change

– – Emissions trading, most heavy manufacturing industry could receive free GHG emissions credits, Comm'n says, 1283
– – Trade policy, Swedish prime minister and Pres. Obama to co-chair summit, 1428

– Cold-rolled stainless steel products, Indian government imposes interim antidumping duty, 588
– Dairy products, Comm'n to relaunch export refunds and purchasing intervention measures, 153; Comm'n outlines measures to offset crisis caused by drop in wholesale price of milk, 1030; 16 member states urge new support measures and export subsidies, 1202; Boel says protesting farmers tarnish image of common agricultural policy, 1358; Comm'n to propose new support measures, 1429
– Dumping

– – Iron and steel fasteners, China initiates WTO dispute proceedings against EU AD order, 1054; China to seek establishment of WTO dispute panel, 1393
– – Statistics, EU reports slight decline in new investigations and new duty orders, 379

– Ecolabeling, Parliament approves revision to voluntary certification scheme, 484
– Electrical equipment and electronics

– – LCD monitors, court reprimands Comm'n for levying duties on imports, 293
– – WEEE Directive, Comm'n proposes tightening rules on hazardous substance content, 75

– Global recession, Geithner visit to discuss recovery, In Brief, 847
– GMOs

– – Maize, Comm'n approves proposals to allow 2 crop varieties for cultivation, 154; European biotechnology industry and British farmers' trade group increase pressure on member states to approve GM crops, 246; EU nears approval of crops for cultivation as member states fail to reach consensus on 2 corn plants, 318
– – Regulatory policy, Comm'n seeking to resolve stalemate on national decisions, 920

– Intellectual property

– – Budweiser, trademark agency rejection of application for EU-wide rights justified, ECJ rules, 459
– – Patents

– – – Bad applications, official calls for increased fees to weed out “clutter,” 1284
– – – Enforcement policy, agreement reached on basic setup of special litigation system, 740

– – Pharmaceuticals, dispute with Brazil and India 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
– – Telecommunications, EU data official urges against “three strikes” approach to copyright enforcement in reform package, 275; European Comm'n to establish single market for licensing for online distribution, 1159; European Parliament backs off demand for court order before cutting off internet access, 1464

– Internet gambling

– – Commercial operation restrictions, member state rules justified if designed to fight fraud and crime, ECJ rules, 1201
– – U.S. online gambling ban, EU protests as violating WTO rules but will seek negotiated solution first, 450; EU claims justification to take action even if U.S. GATS commitments withdrawn, 814

– Lisbon Treaty, Irish voters overwhelmingly support new legal underpinning framework, 1357
– Meat and poultry, bans on U.S. imports

– – Hormone-treated beef, 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; 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. 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
– – Poultry, Obama administration may consider opening WTO dispute settlement case, 14; EU member states reject proposal to lift ban, 14; U.S. launches WTO dispute settlement proceedings, 96; producers call on Obama administration to request WTO dispute panel, 1357; U.S. asks WTO to establish dispute settlement panel, 1389; EU blocks U.S. request, 1458

– Mining, U.S. and EU jointly raise concerns about additional restrictions on mine operator activities in Indonesia, 1434
– Motor vehicles, ministers agree to coordinate state support for automotive industry to avoid distortions of competition, 153
– Port security, ICC panel urges mutual recognition of U.S. and EU trusted shipper programs, 211
– Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) system

See REGISTRATION, EVALUATION, AND AUTHORIZATION OF CHEMICALS (REACH) SYSTEM

– Retreaded tires, Brazilian ban on imports, EU delays imposing trade sanctions to give Brazil more time to ensure compliance with WTO dispute panel ruling, 46
– Seal products, Canada to seek WTO action if EU implements import ban, 652; Canada to request WTO consultations with EU, 1040
– Technology, import tariffs on high-tech goods, Lamy appoints WTO panel to rule on complaint filed by U.S., Japan, and Taiwan, 154; WTO dispute panel holds second hearing on joint complaint, 960; WTO panel sets date for ruling, 1029
– Toys and games, Parliament approves strict content and noise standards for toys, 15
– Trade policy

– – Protectionism, some G-20 countries backtracking on London summit commitments, report finds, 804
– – Public access to information, Comm'n to refute charges of instituting restrictions, 740
– – U.S. relations, Ashton to visit senior Obama administration officials soon, 378; annual Comm'n report cites barriers in government procurement and customs procedures, 1028
– – WTO urges EU to extend reforms of internal trade and to open farm market, 482

– 2009 Outlook, Special Report, 109
– Wine and beer exports

– – Canada drops tariffs to implement WTO dispute settlement, 24
– – India, EU broadens WTO complaint challenging levy on imported wines and spirits, 24

– Zeroing methodology

– – Steel, EU complaint against U.S. use in investigations and reviews, direction of ongoing WTO negotiations unacceptable, United Steelworkers president says, 12; WTO compliance panel releases mixed ruling on EU claim, 26; U.S. and EU agree on implementation deadline, 793
– – U.S. use in investigations and reviews, WTO Appellate Body upholds ruling condemning U.S. use and reverses several additional EU complaints, 224; EU appeals WTO split decision, 260; U.S. files counter-appeal against WTO compliance panel ruling, 331; WTO Appellate Body largely backs EU noncompliance claims, 682; EU warns U.S. to comply with ruling immediately, 827

EX-IM BANK

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

EXPORT CONTROLS

– Aerospace industry, 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 control list, 807; further action, see LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 2410
– Automated Export System (AES) modernization

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3515

– Commercial products using U.S.-origin parts and components, BIS comment period extension, In Brief, 273
– DHL pays civil penalty to settle charges of illegally aiding and abetting exports to Syria, Iran, and Sudan, 1088
– Export Administration Act reauthorization, House Foreign Affairs Comm. begins work on measure, 1116; business groups offer series of proposals to revamp regime, 1346; proposed measure to give Executive Branch “flexible” administrative authority, 1348
– Foreign manufacturers' use of U.S. parts and components, BIS to assess effects of export controls, 41
– High-tech exports in decline due to out-of-date regime, NAM says, 951; China says EU and Japan surpassing U.S. due to “discriminatory” controls, 1360
– Militarily sensitive goods and technology

– – Investigations, GAO finds certain products “easily and legally” exported, 843
– – Removal of controls, DOC to consider changes for deals with closest allies and for export licensing process, 1346; Shelby (R-Ala) expresses concern over plan, 1381
– – Tighter restrictions

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3515

– Raw materials, U.S. and EU request WTO consultations regarding Chinese restrictions on 9 critical substances, 838; USTR seeking comments, In Brief, 928
– Regulatory reform, Obama administration should lead initiative on outdated system, business groups urge, 951; Locke and Gates to discuss Pres. Obama's plan, 1275; Clinton says Obama administration to use Scowcroft study in crafting updates, 1413
– Review of system, Locke directs BIS to focus on areas of improvement, 1023; BIS to focus on new rule to facilitate intracompany trade, 1234
– Rigid rules costing major sales, U.S. trade group says, 712
– Thermal imaging equipment, DOC relaxes controls on some cameras while imposing controls of re-exports of certain foreign-made military products, 735
– 2009 Outlook, Special Report, 121
– Underutilization of export licenses, BIS requests comments on reasons derived from AES export data, 412
– Validated End-User program, U.S. considering suspension of program to spur high-tech exports to China, 18; U.S. concludes agreement with China to implement program fully, 65; GE India to become first company from India to participate in program, 852; BIS formally extends program to include GE India, 926

EXPORT FINANCING

– Air transportation, WTO ruling could force Airbus to review A350 financing plans, Analysis and Perspective, 1219
– Basel II capital accord continuing to hinder banks from offering exporters new trade loans, experts warn WTO, 1272
– Coordinated export credit support, OECD reports agreement to boost trade, 569
– Ex-Im Bank

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

– Global downturn reduces demand for trade financing and stabilizes funding for commercial activities, experts tell TWO meeting, 1237
– IFC syndication, Brazil deal to boost credit for trade finance, In Brief, 259
– Insurance, Ukraine moves to abandon plans to create state-owned export insurance entity, 1160
– International programs, G-20 leaders agree to ensure availability of $250B in support over 2 years, 476
– Liquidity pool, WTO working with IMF and World Bank to create, 270; WTO warns of time constraints for countries to revive trade financing, 477; lending agencies announce commitment of funding for Global Trade Liquidity Program, 907
– National programs

– – Brazil, expansion of number of firms with access to government program announced, 328
– – Canada to provide additional $2.7B in support in domestic market, 755

– Oil and gas, reports of decision by Reliance Indus. to stop selling gasoline to Iran welcomed by Sherman (D-Cal), 79
– Shortfall spikes since Nov. 2008, marking sharp deterioration in available credit, 406
– Statistics, Canadian agency increases support in first quarter 2009, 586; support continues to increase in first half of 2009, 1294

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

– Air transportation

– – Bell commercial helicopter loan, In Brief, 705
– – Cessna aircraft loan, In Brief, 705
– – Egyptair, bank agrees to finance purchase of 5 Boeing 737-800s aircraft, 1198

– Appointments and personnel changes

– – Gratacos hired as counsel to IG, 10
– – Hochberg likely to be nominated as president, 411; Pres. Obama plans to announce nomination soon, 510; Dodd (D-Conn) expresses concerns about report about medium-term export credit program, 572; Senate confirmation, In Brief, 672; swearing-in, In Brief, 739
– – Smith hired as first assistant IG for audit, 10
– – Valett hired as assistant IG for investigations, 10

– Audits, OIG conducted independent audits of FY2008 financial statements and medium term export credit program, 10
– Bribery, Africa section employee charged with corruption and tax violations (E.D. Va.), 333
– Energy development, bank approves Pemex loan, 585
– Fraud

– – Eighth individual sentenced in connection with $1.3M scheme (C.D. Cal.), 260
– – IG claims opening 35 investigations in semiannual report to Congress, 912

– Global financial crisis, bank expanded direct lending programs in response, IG report says, 1423
– Indian business association MOU, In Brief, 885
– Loan guarantees supporting refinery construction by Indian firm with ties to Iran could jeopardize other vital national interests, Sherman (D-Cal) says, 10
– Medium-term credit programs, Dodd (D-Conn) expresses concerns about underperformance, 572
– Statistics, FY2009 financing totals announced, 1385
– Webinar on financing, In Brief, 641