International Trade Reporter: Current Reports Index-Summary

SACU

See SOUTHERN AFRICAN CUSTOMS UNION (SACU)

SAFEGUARDS

– Enforcement, India increases number of new investigations, drawing complaints from China, 253; India notifies WTO of further decisions to impose provisional measures to protect domestic industries, 819
– Passenger car, light truck, minivan, and sport utility vehicle tires from China, United Steelworkers file §421 case claiming market disruption from surging imports (ITC), 555; labor union denounces alleged Chinese effort to influence ITC, 647
– Statistics, World Bank report says demand for trade remedy measures increasing, 1479
– Tires from China, members of Congress urge ITC to accept §421 petition to impose quotas on imports, 792; surging tire imports threatening to cause market disruption (ITC), 859; ITC recommends additional tariffs, 891; 9 senators urge Pres. Obama to provide relief to U.S. industry under §421, 1010; free trade coalition asks for meeting with Kirk to outline opposition to proposed restrictions, 1042; United Steelworkers union criticizes automakers' position, 1104; United Steelworkers dismisses producers' opposition to §421 tariffs, 1161; USTR submits tariff recommendation to Pres. Obama, 1207; China initiates WTO dispute complaint on U.S. imposition of tire safeguard duties, 1232; order to impose tariff widely seen as early test of Obama administration trade policy, 1247; Lamy expresses concern that feud may poison mood of G-20 meetings, 1272; Chinese analysts call order to impose tariff political posturing, 1286; Pres. Obama and Pres. Hu discuss case, 1288; lawyers assess impact of decision to impose tariff, 1296; USTR seeking comments, In Brief, 1363

SAMOA

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

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, S 1141

SANCTIONS

– Burma

– – Apparel, U.S. industry group urges Congress to renew import ban, 926; industry group welcomes approval of ban renewal, 1034; Pres. Obama renews import restrictions, 1067
– – Rubies, jadeite, and related jewelry, U.S. making little progress in restricting prohibited imports, GAO report says, 1362

– Cuba, Lugar (R-Ind) urges reevaluation of embargo, 289; Lugar urges Pres. Obama to use Summit of Americas to recast policy, 489; Obama administration loosens telecommunications, travel, and remittance restrictions, 517; completed draft rules undergoing DOC review, 583; Rangel (D-NY) predicts removal of embargo, 617; interest groups differ in interpretation of momentum toward changes, 888; Obama administration relaxes restrictions on certain exports and on visits by family members, 1212; GAO releases report on possible modifications, 1367
– Hormone-treated beef from U.S., 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
– Iran, group of U.S. lawmakers call on Obama administration to impose sanctions on foreign firms doing business with government, 462; House Appropriations Comm. approves measure prohibiting Ex-Im Bank funds, 895; 2 senators to introduce measure penalizing foreign firms dealing with Iran, 936; further action, see LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 2194, HR 3081, S 908

SAUDI ARABIA

– Boycotts, IRS list, In Brief, 56; 539
– Special 301, USTR seeks public comments on out-of-cycle IPR review, 1384

SEAFOOD

– Frozen fish fillets from Vietnam, existing AD order to remain in place, In Brief, 829
– Inspections, Russia agrees to mutual inspections with U.S. regulators, 379
– Shrimp, CBP proposes ending enhanced bonding requirements for imports covered by AD/CVD orders, 83; industry group urges CBP to develop additional assurance of duty collection, 292; industry group condemns CBP termination of requirements, 493; U.S. asserts compliance with WTO ruling, 556; DOC erred in excluding dusted shrimp from AD scope (CIT), 934; CBP acted arbitrarily and capriciously in imposing enhanced bonding requirement, 1216
– Tuna, U.S. dolphin-safe labeling, Mexico to request WTO dispute panel on alleged blocking of exports, 356; U.S. blocks request, 425
– Warmwater shrimp, claim of unlawful withholding of reconsideration decisions by group of domestic producers and harvesters not dismissed (CIT), 756

SECTION 337

– Disposable cameras, Fujifilm continues fight against Jazz Photo as jury awards firm $12M for patent infringement (D.N.J.), 1043
– Drugs and pharmaceuticals, revised court opinion does not comment on blocking “imminent importations” of allegedly patent-infringing products (Fed. Cir.), 653
– Internet, law firm launches blog to keep practitioners informed about litigating IP disputes before ITC, 333
– ITC investigations, In Brief

– – Adjustable keyboard support systems, 393
– – Articulated coordinate measuring arms, 1175
– – Bulk welding wire containers and components, 1217
– – Cold cathode fluorescent lamp inverter circuits and products containing them used in LCD displays, 84
– – Collaborative system products and components, 1106
– – Course management software, 795
– – Creatine ethyl ester products, 860
– – Dual access locks, 1442
– – Energy drink products, 829
– – Fiber optic networks and laser light sources used therein, 362
– – Flash memory chips, 29
– – Flash memory chips and products, 1217
– – Handheld digital cameras, 415; exclusion order and cease and desist order, 429
– – Handheld mobile wireless devices containing digital cameras, 29
– – Handheld wireless communications devices, 104; 461
– – Hybrid electric vehicles and components, 1402
– – Inkjet ink supplies and components, 1480
– – LED chips and laser diode chips, 494
– – Lighting control devices, 656; 1044
– – Machine vision software and systems, 973
– – Mobile telephones containing digital cameras, 29
– – Multi-level cell NAND flash memory chips, 1175
– – Multifunction printing and imaging devices, 1480
– – Non-shellfish derived glucosamine and products containing same, 334
– – Semiconductor integrated circuits, 54
– – Small electronic devices having image capture or display functionality, 461
– – Wireless cellular devices, 623

SEMICONDUCTORS

– Integrated circuits, §337 investigation, In Brief, 54

SERVICE INDUSTRIES

– Audiovisual and music download services, China 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
– Banks and banking

See BANKING

– Bilateral agreements, APEC-U.S., USTR actively promoting negotiation of liberalization pact, 1380
– Doha Round, de Mateo to convene next market access talks soon, 206; Obama administration still considering participation in talks, 236; WTO members turn toward more routine work, 506; Lamy dismisses suggestions of negotiating agreement outside of WTO, 1415
– Express delivery industry

– – China denies level playing field to foreign-invested firms with new postal law, 576
– – Developing countries imposing increased restrictions that threaten growth in emerging markets, industry representative says, 1314

– Foreign investment, China encouraging businesses to investigate other countries for opportunities, 1472
– Online gambling

See INTERNET

– Statistical overview of trade markets, ITC report, In Brief, 916

SHIPS AND SHIPPING

– Cargo screening

See CARGO SCREENING

SINGAPORE

– Bilateral agreements, U.S. FTA, rule-of-origin changes, In Brief, 1133
– Intellectual property, WIPO to set up office to handle certain dispute resolution activities, 1125
– Trade policy, U.S. relations, Locke meets with trade minister and pledges stronger ties, 788
– Yarns and fibers, modification of rules of origin, In Brief, 294

SLOVAKIA

– International finance, government adopts euro as national currency, 76

SMALL BUSINESSES

– Expansion of opportunities, USTR considers creating AUSTR post to help firms, 734; further action, see LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, S 1196
– Trade policy

– – Senate panel hears calls for increased funding and government export promotion, 1387
– – USTR commissioning ITC report to better understand exports and to focus assistance, 1352; study launched, In Brief, 1463

SMUGGLING

– Endangered species, Chinese furniture company pleads guilty to smuggling baby cribs made of internationally protected ramin wood (D.N.J.), 621
– Peas from Guatemala contaminated with pesticide residues, produce firm and owner plead guilty to alleged scheme (S.D. Fla.), 54

SOLOMON ISLANDS

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

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, S 1141

SOUTH AFRICA

– Bilateral agreements, government official warns neighboring countries about signing trade accords with EU, 830
– Doha Round negotiations unlikely to be concluded by end of 2010, trade minister says, 1313
– Ferrochrome exports to China, producers lobby for government help against rivals, 1484
– Sanctions, Sasol fears potential U.S. sanctions over investments in Iran, 1445

SOUTH KOREA

– Bilateral agreements

– – EU FTA, European Comm'n hopes to finalize terms of agreement soon, 386; government voices renewed confidence in launching agreement, 486; Sweden pledges priority during presidency, 781; European Comm'n and Sweden working together to win over holdout member states, 999; European Comm'n agrees to sign off on FTA despite opposition from auto industry, 1390; EU and South Korea initial FTA, 1432
– – India FTA, government signs landmark trade deal, 1132
– – Movement toward treaties with other nations continuing while U.S. delays approval, ambassador says, 1417
– – Peru FTA, government opens talks, 387
– – U.S. FTA, pending agreement likely to strengthen ties overall, foreign minister says, 281; Geithner plans to work with Congress to move forward on agreement, 330; restrictions on beef imports may delay final agreement, 387; government voices renewed confidence in launching agreement, 486; Senators say Obama administration needs to begin working on agreement, 545; trade minister discusses pending agreement with Kirk, 677; Obama noncommittal on submitting agreement to Congress after meeting Lee, 823; correction to page 823, 853; TPSC seeks comments, 1036; U.S. delay in approving pending agreement puts partners in difficult position, 1417; USTR releases preliminary comparative analysis with EU-South Korea FTA, 1431; USTR preparing package of proposals to address concerns of U.S. automakers, 1432

– COOL, government announces plan to introduce tougher rules on violations, 1098
– Dumping, diamond sawblades, court orders DOC to issue AD orders (CIT), 1370
– Dynamic random access memory chips, government asks WTO dispute panel to halt review of Japan's compliance with earlier ruling, 355
– Foreign investment, government reduces red tape for access to tax incentives, 422; government plans to reform current system of separate deals, 789
– Lithium ion batteries, government to allow U.S. and foreign laboratories to conduct safety compliance testing, 1362
– Livestock and plant diseases

– – Canada likely to secure establishment of WTO dispute panel to challenge mad cow disease ban, 1162; WTO agrees to establish dispute panel, 1206
– – U.S. listing as free of rinderpest and foot-and-mouth disease, In Brief, 488

– Ni-resist piston inserts, CVD investigation, 294; reasonable indication of material injury (ITC), 393; preliminary negative determination (ITA), 935; final negative determination (ITA), 1297
– Polyvinyl alcohol, AD order sunset review, In Brief, 393
– Prestressed concrete steel wire strand, AD order sunset review, In Brief, 362
– Rechargeable batteries, Japan objects to new certification requirements, 885
– Rice imports, government notifies WTO on filling minimum market access requirements for foreign rice, 1254
– Services, foreign legal consultants now recognized, 546
– Telecommunications

– – EU cell phone duty dispute resolved, 1132
– – Qualcomm must pay record fine for violations of monopoly and fair trade laws, 1098

– Trade policy, U.S. relations

– – Regular dialogue, Obama administration should set up schedule on bilateral trade and investment issues, business group recommends, 280; White House to meet president soon, 777
– – Special 301, USTR removes from priority watch list, 600

SOUTHERN AFRICAN CUSTOMS UNION (SACU)

– Bilateral agreements, U.S. to hold video conference to consider ways to boost trade, 1336
– Swaziland meeting, leaders plan economic and monetary union strategies, 1336

SOUTHERN COMMON MARKET

See MERCOSUR (SOUTHERN COMMON MARKET)

SPAIN

– Bailout of automobile industry, European Comm'n approves plan, 318

SPECIAL 301

– Copyright industries submit proposals for listings of violators to USTR, 272; Canada added to priority watch list while China and Russia remain and South Korea removed, 600; USTR seeks public comments on out-of-cycle IPR reviews for 5 countries, 1384

SPECIAL REPORTS

– 2009 Outlook, 106

SRI LANKA

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

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, S 1141

STANDARDS

– Best practices for importers of motor vehicles and related equipment, commenters support NHTSA proposed guidance to reduce risks from noncompliant or defective products, 40
– Children's products, CPSC approves policy on tracking label requirements to aid compliance, 1027
– Drugs, medical devices, food, and cosmetics imports, Dingell (D-Mich), Pallone (D-NJ), and Stupak (D-Mich) introduce safety measure to give FDA more funding and new powers, 183
– Food safety

– – India, FDA opens offices in New Delhi and Mumbai to improve safety and quality of imports, 100
– – Reform measure to improve FDA regulation of domestic and imported foods possible, consumer advocate says, 411

– Good importer practices

– – China admits guilt and works with CPSC to improve safety of certain products, 784
– – HHS and other agencies issue draft guidance, 67

– Harmonization

– – India and U.S. launch joint conformance cooperation program, 326
– – Russia adopts amendments to bring veterinary, sanitary, and phytosanitary regulations into line with international standards, 1359

– Lead content

– – Consumer product limits, manufacturers and retailers call on CPSC to delay deadline, 184; CPSC denies request to stay effective date, 209; CPSC claims no authority to delay effective date, 241; CPSC final rule explains process for requesting exemptions, 348; several new requirements for children's products take effect, 1122; CPSC publishes final rule on exemptions from testing, 1156
– – Toy importer OKK Trading agrees to pay civil penalty for knowing violations of limits, 912

– 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

– Product safety, China and CPSC seek to ensure common expectations at all supply stages, 1473
– Recalls, few comment on Chinese draft law establishing penalties for defective products, 544
– Toy safety, CPSC chairman stresses need for international cooperation at APEC conference, 1097
– Tracking labels for children's products, industry group asks CPSC to stay enforcement of forthcoming rules, 448

STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

– Buy American rules, 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 to certain contracts, 952

STATE DEPARTMENT

– Appointments and personnel changes

– – Tauscher nomination as undersecretary for arms control and national security, support for transfer of commercial communication satellites to controlled export list discussed, 807
– – Valenzuela nomination as assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs, business groups ask Senate leaders to schedule early vote, 1456

– Budget, FY2010 appropriations

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3081

STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS

– Duties, Miscellaneous Trade Bill did not suspend requirement for drawback claims (Fed. Cir.), 682

STEEL

– Buy American

– – 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

– Circular welded carbon quality steel line pipe from China, material injury or threat determination (ITC), 28; USTR seeking comments on request for WTO consultations on AD/CVD dispute, 55; WTO agrees to set up dispute panel to rule on Chinese complaint, 98; interest groups defend Commerce Dep't methodology in comments to USTR, 291; Chinese steel industry rejects dumping claims, 502; material injury finding (ITC), 587; WTO dispute ruling to be delayed, 1478
– Cold-rolled stainless steel products from U.S. and EU, India imposes interim antidumping duty, 588
– Economic outlook, OECD cites plummeting demand due to global economic downturn in forecasting weak short-term outlook, 11
– Government intervention, Chinese industry plan distorts market, 8 trade associations say, 555
– Gratings from China, AD/CVD probe initiation, 860; material injury finding (ITC), 972
– Imports

– – Census Bureau statistics

See IMPORT TRENDS

– – Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) system extension, In Brief, 429

– Iron and steel fasteners, China initiates WTO dispute proceedings against EU AD order, 1054; China to seek establishment of WTO dispute panel, 1393
– Light-walled rectangular pipe and tube from China, USTR seeking public comments on request for WTO consultations on AD/CVD dispute, 55; WTO agrees to set up dispute panel to rule on Chinese complaint, 98; interest groups defend Commerce Dep't methodology in comments to USTR, 291; Chinese steel industry rejects dumping claims, 502; WTO dispute ruling to be delayed, 1478
– Oil country tubular goods from China, AD/CVD investigation initiated (ITA), 622; AD/CVD investigations may continue (ITC), 720; preliminary findings (ITA), 1259
– Prestressed concrete wire strand from China, 3 domestic producers file cases against exporters (ITC), 759; AD/CVD probe initiation, 860; material injury finding, 972
– Stainless pressure pipe from China, affirmative final AD/CVD determination (ITA), 166; Chinese steel industry rejects dumping claims, 502
– Standard steel fasteners from China, DOC to initiate AD/CVD investigations, In Brief, 1442
– Subsidies, industry group asks USTR to address Chinese export subsidies and currency interventions, 1471
– Threaded rod from China, final dumping determination (ITA), 293; material injury finding (ITC), 460
– Welded stainless pressure pipe from China, material injury finding (ITC), 292; Chinese steel industry rejects dumping claims, 502
– Wire rod from Canada, NAFTA review, In Brief, 195
– Zeroing methodology

– – Direction of ongoing WTO negotiations unacceptable, United Steelworkers president says, 12; WTO compliance panel releases mixed ruling on EU claim, 26
– – Japan complaint about U.S. compliance with earlier ruling, WTO issues final ruling, 587; WTO Appellate Body sets date for issuance of ruling, 1010; WTO Appellate Body rejects U.S. appeal, 1138

SUBSIDIES

– Agriculture

– – Brazil, subsidies for cotton 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
– – Budget, FY2010 appropriations, Pres. Obama unveils proposed phaseout of subsidies for larger farm operations, 306
– – Chicken feet and wings, China launches formal AD/AS investigation into U.S. poultry industry, 1323
– – Doha Round

See AGRICULTURAL EXPORT SUBSIDIES, DOHA ROUND

– – Russia urges WTO members to review, In Brief, 1203
– – Statistics, U.S. notifies WTO of latest figures showing declining domestic support for farms in 2006-2007, 146

– “Black liquor,” U.S. trading partners urge Congress to repeal alternative fuels tax credit giving paper producers competitive advantage, 702
– Dairy products, EU export refunds and purchasing intervention measures to be relaunched, 153; European 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; European Comm'n to propose new support measures, 1429
– Doha Round

– – Agricultural talks

See AGRICULTURAL EXPORT SUBSIDIES, DOHA ROUND

– – Fishing industry, Valles releases new draft negotiating text, 27

– Energy-efficient products, China to increase support for sales of air conditioners, home appliances, and automobiles, 783
– Exports, China, U.S. and Mexico formally initiate WTO dispute settlement case over 70 allegedly illegal subsidies, 17; Guatemala joins complaint, 159
– Global financial crisis, Japan moving to invest public funds in major manufacturers to help overcome financial difficulties caused by crisis, 487
– Single payment systems, EU scheme to be declared as exempt from WTO spending limits, 307
– Softwood lumber

– – Brazil, DOC releases report, 22
– – Canada, DOC releases report, 22
– – Chile, DOC releases report, 22
– – Germany, DOC releases report, 22

– Textiles, U.S. criticizes China for failing to provide information on provincial and local subsidies, 1470
– WTO notification, China to submit data on new subsidies except for local and regional aid, 1430

SUDAN

– DHL pays civil penalty to settle charges of illegally aiding and abetting exports from U.S., 1088

SUGAR

– Economic policy, Mexico concerned about market outlook after increases in import quotas, 1365
– TRQs, USDA announces FY2010 limits for raw, refined, and specialty sugar imports, 1318; USTR announces country-by-country allocations, 1384

SUPREME COURT, U.S.

– Dumping, uranium enrichment, separate work unit contracts subject to antidumping statute (rvs), 140

SURVEYS

– Aid for Trade Initiative continued to grow in 2008 as donor countries perceived multiplier effects, OECD official says, 910
– Export policy, Canada finds improving export confidence in recovering economy, 857
– Foreign investment, BEA outlines plans for redesigned quarterly survey of foreign acquisitions, 1199
– FTAs, Pew Research Ctr. poll finds support for agreements recovering after declining sharply last year, 607

SWEDEN

– Climate change, prime minister and Pres. Obama to co-chair summit, 1428
– EU-South Korea FTA, government pledges priority during presidency, 781

SWITZERLAND

– Balance of trade, government announces sharp drop in exports and imports in 4th quarter 2008, 219
– Bilateral agreements, Japan, government signs FTA excluding most farm goods, 276; pact to enter into force soon, 1132
– Economic policy, government unveils 2nd stimulus package of measures in effort to reverse downturn, 247
– EFTA

See EUROPEAN FREE TRADE ASSOCIATION (EFTA)

– GMOs, government to extend moratorium on use in agriculture, 921
– Labor, government presses for “yes” vote on free movement of persons, 156; voters approve extending pact to Bulgaria and Romania, 218

SYRIA

– Boycotts, IRS list, In Brief, 56; 539
– DHL pays civil penalty to settle charges of illegally aiding and abetting exports from U.S., 1088