WTO talks collapse over farm trade Seven years of negotiation on global trade collapsed Tuesday after the United States, China and India failed to compromise on farm import rules, according to trade officials.International Herald Tribune, July 29, 2008
British Airways in Merger Talks British Airways and Iberia of Spain said Tuesday that they were discussing a merger amid record prices for jet fuel and an economic slowdown. The discussions are the latest between the two airlines, which already own shares in each other, operate under a marketing alliance and have discussed a merger in the past.New York Times, July 29, 2008
American Trucking Assn. Intends to File Suit Against Ports of L.A. and Long Beach The American Trucking Assn. plans to file a lawsuit in Los Angeles federal court on Monday in an effort to block a plan by the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to clean up the air by replacing an aging fleet of 16,000 trucks that spew deadly levels of toxic diesel emissions.Los Angeles Times, July 28, 2008
Mideast airlines aim to become a global hub With new jumbo jets, carriers in the Gulf grow as their Asian and European rivals retreat. As carriers from American Airlines to Thai Air are responding to a new era of high oil prices by shedding jobs, culling routes and grounding aircraft, Middle Eastern carriers are expanding as fast as they can in hopes of redefining their region as the aviation crossroads of the globe. International Herald Tribune, July 28, 2008
Trade Policy
The pending U.S. – Korea Free Trade Agreement will be the focus leading up to and during President Bush’s visit to South Korea, August 5th and 6th. The California Coalition for Free Trade will be communicating with members of the California congressional delegation.
For more information, please see ourwebsitewww.calchamber.com/international/USKoreaFTA. Join the California Coalition for Free Trade!
California Coalition For Free Trade The CalChamber Council for International Trade (CIT) is urging members of the business community to join its coalition working to secure congressional approval of the free trade agreements (FTAs) with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. Companies or associations that join the California Coalition for Free Trade will be included on the rapidly growing list of FTA supporters. There is no cost to join the coalition, which will keep members apprised of its activities and how to be supportive of the FTAs. For more information on the FTAs or to join the coalition, visitwww.calchamber.com/international (click here to download membership form)
U.S.-Colombian Trade
Promotion Agreement
A bilateral TPA that will
lower tariffs and foster increased trade between both
countries. This agreement is a critical element of a possible
U.S.-Andean Free Trade Agreement and of the U.S. strategy to
liberalize trade through bilateral, regional and multilateral
initiatives.
CalChamber position: Support
Status:
Pending Congressional Action Act now! Click here to send
a letter to your representative
U.S.-Panama
Free Trade Agreement
A bilateral FTA that will
lower tariffs and foster increased trade between both
countries. A U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement is a critical
element of the U.S. strategy to liberalize trade through
multilateral, regional and bilateral initiatives. The
agreement will also increase momentum toward lowering trade
barriers and set a positive example for other small economies
in the Western Hemisphere.
CalChamber position: Support
Status: Pending Congressional Action Click here for additional
information
U.S.-Korea Free Trade
Agreement
A bilateral FTA which will lower tariffs
and foster increased trade between both countries and is a
critical element of the U.S. strategy to liberalize trade
through multilateral, regional and bilateral initiatives.
CalChamber position: Support
Status: Pending
Congressional Action Click here for additional
information
California
Legislation
*The following bills are related to international trade and have been introduced in the California State Legislature in the 2007-2008 Legislative Session. Any CalChamber position is noted on the CalChamber Legislative website.
AB 1394 (Krekorian) Counterfeit:
Trademarks
Improves protections of trademark owner rights and consumer health and safety by strengthening California laws against trafficking of fake products such as auto parts, prescription drugs, and children's toys.
Intellectual Property Rights Working Group
Consists of CalChamber members who are interested in being involved with CalChamber policy development and advocacy efforts in the area of intellectual property rights (IPR) and want to keep apprised of pending state legislation or policy issues having an impact on IPR. Staff Contact: Kyla Christoffersen
SB 974 (Lowenthal) Tax on Freight
Movement
This bill would require the Ports of
Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Oakland to collect a user fee on
the owner of container cargo moving through the Port of Los
Angeles, the Port of Long Beach, or the Port of Oakland at a
rate of $30 per twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU).
SB 1649 (Steinberg) Human Trafficking
This bill would require retail
sellers and manufacturers doing business in the state to
develop, maintain, and implement policies related to their
compliance with federal law regarding the eradication of
slavery and human trafficking.
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