Reuters has reported that U.S. lawmakers are unlikely to repeal export tax subsidies that violate global trade rules in time to avoid punitive European Union (EU) trade sanctions on billions of dollars of U.S. goods. According to Reuters, the EU plans to impose a 5% duty on more than $4 billion worth of U.S. exports beginning March 1, 2004 if President Bush has not signed legislation repealing the Foreign Sales Corporation-Extraterritorial Income (FSC-ETI) tax regime. (Reuters Pub 02/13/04, available at http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=4355783)

(a) DSM has a de minimis rate of 0.04%; no cash deposits will be collected but suspension of liquidation will continue

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted to its Web site a third version of its Questions & Answers (Q&A) document regarding the registration of food facilities, which is effective immediately.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notice which corrects its October 10, 2003 interim final rule that requires, effective December 12, 2003, the submission to the FDA of prior notice of food (including animal feed) that is imported or offered for import into the U.S..

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that USTR Robert Zoellick formally notified Congress, on behalf of the President, of the Administration's intent to initiate negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with Thailand.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has made available on its Web site certain trade statistics, which include lists of the top 5000 Importers for Fiscal Year (FY) 2002, FY 2001, and FY 2000.

(a) For previously reviewed China and non-China exporters with separate rates, the cash deposit rate will be the company-specific rate established for the most recent period.

The Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (COAC) held a quarterly meeting on February 6, 2004 in Washington, DC to discuss, and receive updates from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials on, various customs and trade issues.

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has posted to its Web site a notice detailing its next upcoming informational seminar entitled, Navigating the Regulations, which will be held in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico on March 9, 2004. The FMC states that this seminar provides an overview of the responsibilities of vessel operators, ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs) and maritime shipping services users in U.S. foreign trades.

The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued two notices stating that on January 16, 2004 the ITA and the Government of Ukraine (GOU) signed a final amendment to the 1997 Agreement which suspended the antidumping (AD) investigation of cut-to-length carbon steel plate from the Ukraine (1997 Agreement).