US questions China at WTO over pork payments, farm taxes The United States has challenged China to justify the legality of its tax, subsidy and export rules for farm products such as pork and wheat in what could signify new tensions between the two trading giants. Los Angeles Times, August 26, 2008
US grain exports snagged by infrastructure delays It's the dark side of the booming global demand for U.S. corn, wheat and soybeans. The surge in exports is revealing inefficiencies in the country's railways, highways and rivers that carry the grain that helps feed the world. And those bottlenecks are costing farmers, shippers and ultimately consumers millions of dollars a year. Sacramento Bee, August 25, 2008
IMF cuts forecasts for world growth World economic growth is on course to slow for the rest of this year and into 2009, according to the latest forecasts from the International Monetary Fund. London Times, August 25, 2008
Russia to exit some WTO commitments
During a government meeting, First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said Russia should continue negotiations for WTO entry, but should step back from agreements that place an unnecessarily heavy burden on Russia. International Herald Tribune, August 25, 2008
California Coalition For Free Trade The CalChamber Council for International Trade (CIT) is urging members of the business community to join (click here to download membership form) 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, visit www.calchamber.com/international
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
CalChamber Releases Updated ‘Job Killer’ List The California Chamber of Commerce yesterday released an updated list of its 2008 “job killers,” indicating that 22 bills that would have hurt California’s competitiveness and stifled job creation have already been successfully stopped while 17 bills remain under consideration. In addition, CalChamber added a bill to its list of 2008 “job killers”-- AB 2386 (Núñez; D-Los Angeles). CalChamber, August 22, 2008
*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).
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