California exports rise for 8th straight month
A California economy looking for slivers of good news continues to find them in the export trade industry. California merchandise exports continued their steady recovery in June, with shipments up nearly 23 percent over June 2009, beating the expectations of some analysts. Sacramento Bee, August 12, 2010
Mexico Adds Tariffs in Trucking Dispute
Mexico plans to impose tariffs on an expanded array of American products, from pork to pistachios, escalating a trade dispute over a U.S. ban on Mexican truckers operating north of the border. Mexico's Economy Ministry said Monday it would add 26 U.S. products to its tariff list while removing 16 others. Wall Street Journal, August 17, 2010
The following bills are related to international trade and have been introduced in the California State Legislature in the 2009-2010 Legislative Session.
Any CalChamber position is noted on the CalChamber Legislative website:
AB 1178 (Block; D-San Diego)
Sales, Use and Corporation Taxes
Creates a regulatory burden for companies making a water’s edge election on their tax returns by requiring them to prove to the Franchise Tax Board that business conducted in certain countries is legitimate.
AB 2443 (Manuel Perez; D- Indio)
State government: International Relations
Requires the state point of contact to provide copies of any formal position or comments on a pending trade agreement to the United States Trade Representative and to the legislative committees assigned the responsibility for international trade issues.
AJR 27 (Torrico; D- Fremont)
Colombia-U.S. Free Trade Agreement
A California Assembly Joint Resolution opposing the U.S. - Colombia FTA, would cast the FTA and Colombia in an unproductive light if it were to pass. Colombia is an important trading partner with California and the United States and also a partner in stopping drug trafficking.
SB 657 (Steinberg; D-Sacramento)
Human Trafficking
Mandates that “every retail seller and manufacturer doing business in this state” develop, maintain, and implement a policy addressing the eradication of slavery and human trafficking from their supply chain. The bill inappropriately makes California employers responsible for the actions of businesses with which they have no contractual relationship, are located in other countries, and could be engaged in activities that may best be handled on a diplomatic level.
SB 1231 (Corbett; D-San Leandro)
Public Contracts: Sweatshop Labor
Creates a costly, unreasonable burden on companies who contract with the state by requiring them to track the entire supply chain of manufactured products and products used in public works projects, down to the raw materials.
SJR 33 (Lowenthal; D-Long Beach)
National Freight Policy
Requests that Congress adopt a national freight policy as a component of the next federal transportation bill and
subsequently direct the United States Department of Transportation to implement its provisions.
California Coalition
For Free Trade
A broad-based group of companies and business organizations working to secure a national free trade agenda, as well as, seeking approval of the Free Trade Agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. Join or Learn More
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