Camp, Levin, Nunes, Rangel Introduce Bipartisan GSP Renewal Legislation
Committee of Ways & Means / http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=19478&page=&srch_argv=&srchtype=&btype=&sortby=&sby=
Washington, DC (July 17, 2013) – Today, Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI), Ranking Member Sandy Levin (D-MI), Trade Subcommittee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA) and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Charles Rangel (D-NY) introduced legislation to renew the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) through September 2015. The current GSP program is set to expire July 31, 2013.
Chairman Camp : “GSP provides important benefits to U.S. manufacturers and consumers and supports more than 80,000 American jobs. I’ve introduced this bipartisan legislation to demonstrate that the House is ready to move this bill as soon as the Senate also demonstrates that it has a credible path forward. We cannot allow this bill to be bogged down by amendments, and I urge the Senate to act quickly on a clean bill. Time is of the essence.”
Ranking Member Levin : “The Generalized System of Preferences is a long-standing and valuable element of our trade and development policy. Through GSP, we can help developing countries enjoy the benefits of trade while also requiring that countries meet basic eligibility criteria that help shape the terms of trade and ensure that its benefits are more broadly shared. GSP provides benefits in the United States as well, with provisions to ensure complementarity and with most GSP imports being used as inputs for products made here.”
Trade Subcommittee Chairman Nunes : “GSP has significant benefits for the U.S. economy and our geostrategic interests. Last year, the GSP program saved U.S. companies nearly $750 million in import duties and supported tens of thousands of American jobs. I will continue to work with Chairman Camp and Ranking Member Levin to find a path forward in the Senate to ensure that GSP does not lapse.”
Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Rangel : “Through GSP, some of the poorest countries in the world get a shot at sharing in the benefits of international trade. It is vital to our commitment to promote economic development, democracy worker rights, rule of law, and other fundamental values in the world. This is a program that has received broad, bipartisan support virtually every time it has come up for renewal. We need to move on it now.”
Background: The Senate has repeatedly used a procedure by which it passes legislation and holds it at the Senate desk. Upon House passage of identical legislation, the House bill is sent over to the Senate and is “deemed passed” without further action by the Senate.
NRF Applauds Introduction of GSP Renewal Legislation
National Federation of Retailers/ http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=USTR-2012-0013-0236
NRF Applauds Introduction of GSP Renewal Legislation
Bipartisan Bill Would Prevent Massive Tariff Hike on August 1
Washington, July 18, 2013 – The National Retail Federation issued the following statement from Senior Vice President David French on the introduction of a bipartisan bill aimed at renewing the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) trade program, which provides preferential duty-free entry for a wide variety of goods and inputs from designated developing countries. The program is set to expire on July 31.
“The American retail industry, an industry that supports one in four U.S. jobs, applauds the leadership of the House Ways and Means Committee for introducing this bipartisan bill that would extend the GSP program for an additional two years.
“With only two weeks left until GSP is set to expire, it is imperative that Congress move on this important trade priority, which benefits developing nations around the world and U.S. jobs, businesses and consumers.
"If Congress fails to extend GSP before the deadline, American retailers, mostly small- and medium-sized businesses, will face an extra $2 million per day in new taxes on everyday goods and inputs, like jewelry and sporting goods, which will translate into higher costs and prices for consumers.
“NRF encourages Congress to renew this important trade program before August 1.”
As the world’s largest retail trade association and the voice of retail worldwide, NRF represents retailers of all types and sizes, including chain restaurants and industry partners, from the United States and more than 45 countries abroad. Retailers operate more than 3.6 million U.S. establishments that support one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.5 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy. NRF’s This is Retail campaign highlights the industry’s opportunities for life-long careers, how retailers strengthen communities, and the critical role that retail plays in driving innovation. www.nrf.com
FTC to Host Roundtable on Proposed Changes to its Care Labeling Rule for Clothing
Federal Trade Commission / http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2013/07/carelabelingrule.shtm
As part of the Federal Trade Commission’s systematic review of all current FTC rules and guides, the FTC will host a public roundtable in Washington, DC, on October 1, 2013, to analyze proposed changes to its Care Labeling Rule.
The Rule, officially called the Rule on Care Labeling of Textile Wearing Apparel and Certain Piece Goods, requires manufacturers and importers to attach labels with care instructions for drycleaning washing, bleaching, drying and ironing of garments and certain piece goods.
In September 2012, the FTC sought comments on potential updates to the Rule. Based on comments the agency received, the roundtable will focus on a proposal to allow manufacturers and importers to include professional instructions for wetcleaning – an environmentally friendly alternative to drycleaning – on labels if the garment can be professionally wetcleaned and on whether the Commission should require a wetcleaning instruction for such garments. It will also address the cost of substantiating wetcleaning instructions, the availability of wetcleaning, consumer awareness of wetcleaning, and the content of labels providing a wetcleaning instruction.
The roundtable will also discuss the differences between ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials) and both the 2005 and 2012 ISO (International Organization for Standardization) care symbols, whether labels should identify ISO symbols as such if used to comply with the Rule, the change in the meaning of the circle P symbol in the ASTM system, and consumer understanding of symbols. In addition, the roundtable will include a discussion about the absence of ASTM and ISO symbols for solvents other than perchloroethylene and petroleum. The roundtable also will address how to clarify what constitutes a reasonable basis for care instructions.
The roundtable will be held on October 1, 2013, from 9:15 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. in the FTC’s Satellite Building Conference Center at 601 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Requests to participate as a panelist must be received by September 3, 2013. Any written comments regarding the agenda topics, the issues discussed by the panelists at the roundtable, or the issues raised in comments received in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking must be received by October 15, 2013.
The Commission vote to publish a public roundtable announcement was 4-0. It is available on the FTC’s website and as a link to this press release and will be published in the Federal Register soon. Instructions for filing comments appear in the Federal Register Notice. All comments received will be posted online here. (FTC File No. R511915; the staff contact is Robert M. Frisby, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2098)
The Federal Trade Commission work for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.
Various Commodities Cited Over Forced or Indentured Child Labor Concerns
Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt LLP /
http://www.gdlsk.com/firm-news/288-various-commodities-cited-over-forced-or-indentured-child-labor-concerns.html
U.S. Department of Labor, in consultation and cooperation with the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, has republished and added a number of products (identified by origin) to its running list of products with respect to which the agencies allege they have a reasonable basis to believe might have been mined, produced or manufactured by forced or indentured child labor.
The appearance of a commodity from a specified country on the list triggers an obligation on the part of federal contractors who supply the products to certify, among other things, that they have made a good faith effort to determine whether forced or indentured child labor was used to mine, produce or manufacture the item. Other companies that import the listed commodities will find the information useful in terms of their internal supply chain compliance efforts.
The list covers a host of commodities including, among others: Coffee (Cote d’Ivoire); Cotton (Benin, Burkina Faso, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan); Electronics (China); Garments (Argentina, India, Thailand, Vietnam); shrimp form Thailand, and Toys (China). The full list, as amended on July 23, 2013, follows:
See List
Customs and Border Protection, Federal Maritime Commission Sign Agreement to Share ACE Data
The Federal Martime Commission /
http://www.fmc.gov/CBP-MOU/
WASHINGTON— U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the recent signing of an Automated Commercial Environment-International Trade Data System (ACE-ITDS) memorandum of understanding with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to share ACE data in order to strengthen the balance of facilitation and enforcement regarding the regulation of ocean carriers and other entities involved in ocean trade.
"This is a significant step forward toward ensuring greater security, compliance and facilitation of cargo in the maritime environment," said Acting CBP Commissioner Thomas S. Winkowski. "CBP has enjoyed an excellent working relationship with the FMC over the years. The agency has a true passion for what they do and we look forward to working on this renewed partnership."
Mario Cordero, FMC Chairman, said "The continued partnership between the FMC and CBP will enhance the FMC's mission to foster a fair, efficient and reliable ocean transportation system and protect the public from unfair and deceptive practices. This longstanding collaboration furthers mutual objectives -- to ensure security at our nation's ports and compliance with the Safe Port Act. Furthermore, this collaboration will assist the FMC to fulfill its regulatory responsibilities under the Shipping Act."
The MOU will allow data from CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and other systems to be transferred directly to the FMC for use in fulfilling its statutory and regulatory duties and responsibilities. This direct transfer of data will conserve resources of both agencies and ensure compliance with the SAFE Port Act.
The agreement, signed during a ceremony at the FMC on July 19, specifies the specific data elements to be shared, the legal authority of FMC to receive the data and the conditions under which FMC may use, store or share the information.
ACE-ITDS trade data is protected by the Trade Secrets Act and both agencies are obligated under the agreement to properly safeguard the data.
Customs and Border Protection News Release on MOU Signing
Statement by the U.S. Government on Labor Rights and Factory Safety in Bangladesh
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative / http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2013/july/usg-statement-labor-rights-factory-safety
(07/19/2013)
The following is a joint statement from the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the Department of Labor, and the State Department:
Today, the United States is outlining next steps in a longstanding effort to address in a meaningful way worker safety problems in Bangladesh – the severity of which were exemplified in the tragedies of the November 2012 Tazreen Fashions factory fire and the April 2013 Rana Plaza building collapse – and, more broadly, the ability of Bangladeshi workers to exercise their full range of labor rights.
On June 27, 2013, President Obama announced his decision to suspend Bangladesh’s trade benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) in view of insufficient progress by the Government of Bangladesh in affording Bangladeshi workers internationally recognized worker rights. That decision followed an extensive, interagency review under the GSP program of worker rights and worker safety in Bangladesh during which the U.S. Government encouraged the Government of Bangladesh to implement needed reforms. At the time of the announcement, the Administration provided the Government of Bangladesh with an action plan which, if implemented, could provide a basis for the President to consider the reinstatement of GSP trade benefits.
Today, the Administration is making this action plan public as a means to reinforce and support the efforts of all international stakeholders to promote improved worker rights and worker safety in Bangladesh. On the basis of this action plan, the United States looks forward to continuing to work with Bangladesh on the actions it needs to take in relation to potential reinstatement of GSP benefits.
The United States is also pleased to associate itself with the July 8, 2013 European Union (EU)-Bangladesh-International Labor Organization (ILO) Sustainability Compact for continuous improvements in labour rights and factory safety in the ready-made garment and knitwear industry in Bangladesh (Compact). The United States looks forward to working as a full partner with the EU, Bangladesh, and the ILO to implement the goals of the Compact, many of which are broadly consistent with the GSP action plan we are releasing today. At the same time, the United States will pursue additional concrete actions required under the GSP action plan, such as increasing sanctions for labor violations sufficient to deter future misconduct, publicly reporting on the outcome of union registration applications, establishing an effective complaint mechanism for labor violations, and ending violence and harassment of labor activists and unions.
In addition to these complementary, government-to-government efforts, the Administration recognizes the importance of efforts by retailers and brands to ensure that the factories from which they source are compliant with all fire and safety standards in Bangladesh. We urge the retailers and brands to take steps needed to help advance changes in the Bangladeshi garment sector and to work together and with other stakeholders to ensure that their efforts are coordinated and sustained.
The Administration looks forward to continuing its engagement with the Government of Bangladesh and all stakeholders in order to effect positive change for Bangladeshi workers and to help ensure that the recent tragedies we have witnessed do not recur.
BANGLADESH ACTION PLAN 2013
The United States Government encourages the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) to take significant actions to provide a basis for reinstating Bangladesh’s Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) benefits, including by implementing commitments under the “National Tripartite Plan of Action on Fire Safety and Structural Integrity” and taking the following actions:
Government Inspections for Labor, Fire and Building Standards
• Develop, in consultation with the International Labor Organization (ILO), and implement in line with already agreed targets, a plan to increase the number of government labor, fire and building inspectors, improve their training, establish clear procedures for independent and credible inspections, and expand the resources at their disposal to conduct effective inspections in the readymade garment (RMG), knitwear, and shrimp sectors, including within Export Processing Zones (EPZs).
• Increase fines and other sanctions, including loss of import and export licenses, applied for failure to comply with labor, fire, or building standards to levels sufficient to deter future violations.
• Develop, in consultation with the ILO, and implement in line with already agreed targets, a plan to assess the structural building and fire safety of all active RMG/knitwear factories and initiate remedial actions, close or relocate inadequate factories, where appropriate.
• Create a publicly accessible database/matrix of all RMG/knitwear factories as a platform for reporting labor, fire, and building inspections, including information on the factories and locations, violations identified, fines and sanctions administered, factories closed or relocated, violations remediated, and the names of the lead inspectors.
• Establish directly or in consultation with civil society an effective complaint mechanism, including a hotline, for workers to confidentially and anonymously report fire, building safety, and worker rights violations.
Ready Made Garments (RMG)/Knitwear Sector
• Enact and implement, in consultation with the ILO, labor law reforms to address key concerns related to freedom of association and collective bargaining.
• Continue to expeditiously register unions that present applications that meet administrative requirements, and ensure protection of unions and their members from anti-union discrimination and reprisal.
• Publicly report information on the status and final outcomes of individual union registration applications, including the time taken to process the applications and the basis for denial if relevant, and information on collective bargaining agreements concluded.
• Register non-governmental labor organizations that meet administrative requirements, including the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity (BCWS) and Social Activities for the Environment (SAFE). Drop or expeditiously resolve pending criminal charges against labor activists to ensure workers and their supporters do not face harassment or intimidation. Advance a transparent investigation into the murder of Aminul Islam and report on the findings of this investigation.
• Publicly report on the database/matrix identified above on anti-union discrimination or other unfair labor practice complaints received and labor inspections completed, including information on factories and locations, status of investigations, violations identified, fines and sanctions levied, remediation of violations, and the names of the lead inspectors.
• Develop and implement mechanisms, including a training program for industrial police officers who oversee the RMG sector on workers’ freedom of association and assembly, in coordination with the ILO, to prevent harassment, intimidation and violence against labor activists and unions.
Export Processing Zones (EPZ)
• Repeal or commit to a timeline for expeditiously bringing the EPZ law into conformity with international standards so that workers within EPZ factories enjoy the same freedom of association and collective bargaining rights as other workers in the country. Create a government-working group and begin the repeal or overhaul of the EPZ law, in coordination with the ILO.
• Issue regulations that, until the EPZ law has been repealed or overhauled, will ensure the protection of EPZ workers’ freedom of association, including by prohibiting “blacklisting” and other forms of exclusion from the zones for labor activities.
• Issue regulations that, until the EPZ law is repealed or overhauled, will ensure transparency in the enforcement of the existing EPZ law and that require the same inspection standards and procedures as in the rest of the RMG sector.
Shrimp Processing Sector
• Actively support ILO and other worker-employer initiatives in the shrimp sector, such as the March 2013 Memorandum of Agreement, to ensure the strengthening of freedom of association, including addressing anti-union discrimination and unfair labor practices.
• Publicly report on anti-union discrimination or other unfair labor practice complaints received and labor inspections completed, including information on factories and locations, status of investigations, violations identified, fines and sanctions levied, remediation of violations, and the names of the lead inspectors.
Hong Kong Customs Seizes Ivory Tusks from Incoming Container
Hong Kong Customs / http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201307/19/P201307190649.htm
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 18) smashed an ivory tusks smuggling case at Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound, resulting in the seizure of 1 148 ivory tusks. The total value of the seizures was about $17.46 million.
Customs officers, through risk assessment, selected a 20-ft container declared to contain "plank" arriving from Togo, Africa, for inspection. After X-ray examination, the officers found the ivory tusks, weighing 2 183 kilograms in total, in the innermost part of the container. The ivory tusks were packed in 30 sacks and covered by wooden boards. The ivory tusks were not declared on the manifest and were seized by Customs officers for further investigation. Follow-up action is still on-going to locate the smuggling syndicate members.
The Group Head of Ports and Maritime Command, Mr Ng Kwok-leung, said today (July 19) at a press briefing that Hong Kong Customs would continue to co-operate with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and other law enforcement agencies to enforce the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance to deter the trafficking of endangered species.
Customs administrations around the world have heightened their awareness in combating illegal trade in wildlife with a special focus on animals controlled by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora such as elephants and rhinoceroses from Africa. Hong Kong Customs participated in a World Customs Organization operation in 2012 and is committed to continue taking vigorous enforcement actions against the trafficking of endangered wildlife, Mr Ng added.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing unmanifested cargoes is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
In addition, under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of trading in endangered species for commercial purposes is liable to a maximum fine of $5 million and imprisonment for two years.
PRESS RELEASE - International Trade Antidumping Duty Investigations
International Trade Adminstration / http://www.trade.gov/press/press-releases/
07/23/2013 - Commerce Initiates Antidumping Duty Investigations of Imports of Certain Oil Country Tubular Goods from India, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, the Republic of Turkey, Ukraine, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Countervailing Duty Investigations of Imports of Oil Country Tubular Goods from India and the Republic of Turkey
07/19/2013 -
Commerce Initiates Antidumping Duty Investigations of Steel Threaded Rod from India and Thailand and a Countervailing Duty Investigation of Steel Threaded Rod from India