On October 1, 2007, the California
Council for International Trade (CCIT) merged with the
California Chamber of Commerce International Trade Committee
to create the CalChamber Council for International Trade. The
CalChamber
Council for International Tradeis California’s
voice on trade.
The merged Council has boosted the
ability of California businesses and organizations to advocate
sound international business policies by bringing together the
two leading trade policy organizations in the state to form a
single-unified group of business leaders on international
issues.
Upon creation of
the merged Council, the Council for International
Trade Update was initiated. Each weekly Trade
Update newsletter features international headlines, U.S. trade
policy updates and relevant information compiled from a number
of government and international sources and hundreds of
newspapers worldwide. The Trade Update has also become a place
for readers to post worldwide events of interest to
international trade practitioners.
In honor of our
first successful year, the Council for International Trade
Update is adding a new section. “CalChamber Companies in the
News” will feature articles from around the world
relating specifically to our members. In addition to these
articles, we will continue to feature our CalChamber members
in our series “Profiles in Trade."
Please take this opportunity of our first
anniversary to forward this newsletter to your colleagues,
clients, vendors, etc. who have an interest in international
trade. We welcome them to e-mail us at international@calchamber.com
to receive this comprehensive trade update weekly at no cost.
CeBIT Holds California Business Above
Others
California
Selected as First State to Partner in World’s Largest
Tech Trade Show California has officially been
selected as the partner state for the world’s leading
trade fair for digital business solutions and
information and communications technology, CeBIT, in
2009, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced during a
news conference yesterday. CalChamber, October 3, 2008
EU
Eyes Raising Guarantee on Private Savings An emergency meeting of European Union finance
ministers debated raising guarantees for private savings
across the 27-nation bloc on Tuesday in an attempt at a
coordinated response to the global financial crisis. BusinessWeek, October 7, 2008
Gates:
US to remain in Kosovo through late 2009 The United States will continue its troop
presence in Kosovo until at least late next year, Defense
Secretary Robert Gates said just before he arrived here
Tuesday, reaffirming U.S. support for the newly declared
nation in the face of stern opposition from
Russia. Washington Post, October 7,
2008
Local
home sales strengthen in Fresno and Clovis The number of houses for sale in Fresno and
Clovis is shrinking and mortgage firms are once again hiring
people as bargain-basement prices are enticing more people
into the marketplace, real estate officials say. Fresno Bee, October 7, 2008
CalChamber Companies in the
News
"CalChamber Companies in
the News" is a new regular feature in the CalChamber's Trade
Update newsletter, highlighting the international activities
of member companies who have been featured in the news. If you
have an article that you would like to be featured in this new
section, please send it to Abby Browning
(abby.browning@calchamber.com).
HR
7063 (Sanchez) US and the World Education Act Raises achievement in international education
in elementary schools and secondary schools through grants to
improve teacher competency and to support programs in
international education that supplement core curricula in such
schools, and for other purposes. STATUS: Committee
on Education and Labor
Free Trade
Agreements
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 Click
here for Additional Information
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
Announces Positions on November Ballot
Measures During its
quarterly meeting on September 5, 2008, the California
Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors considered seven
ballot measures that will appear on the November 4, 2008
General Election ballot.
AB 1394 (Krekorian) Counterfeit:
Trademarks CalChamber-sponsored legislation
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. STATUS:
Chaptered
SB 974 (Lowenthal) Tax on Freight
Movement This
CalChamber-opposed bill would have required 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). STATUS: Vetoed
Governor
Vetoes 9 out of 10 CalChamber Identified Job Killers
The California Chamber of Commerce yesterday
announced that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed
nine of the ten “job killer” bills sent to his desk for
action by the Legislature. CalChamber,
October 2, 2008
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