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Featured Headline: KORUS FTA
U.S. Vows New Push in Korean Trade Pact The Obama administration said it has made new progress on a free trade agreement with South Korea that could overcome resistance in Congress, and agreed with Seoul to complete the pact by November. The plan, a bid to jump-start a languishing trade agenda, was announced at the Group of 20 summit Saturday and is designed to end a three-year impasse on a preliminary Free Trade Agreement reached with Korea in 2007. The Wall Street Journal, June 28, 2010
On June 28, 2010 the Mexican government published in the Official Gazette, the amendments to article 429 of the Federal Criminal Code and article 223 bis of the Industrial Property Rights Law, as approved by the Mexican Congress. This amendment provides ex officio authority to the Office of the Attorney General to enforce the protection of intellectual property rights and enhance the prosecution of piracy and counterfeiting. According to these amendments, piracy and retail or whole sales and distribution of counterfeit goods in public areas will be prosecuted ex officio.
Schwarzenegger Toasts, Celebrates -- and Announces San Francisco Chronicle, June 23, 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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This e-mail is being sent to members of the CalChamber Council for International Trade; CalChamber members with international interests; local, binational and American chambers of commerce abroad; the consular corps; California congressional delegation, selected U.S. and California government officials; and representatives of business and trade associations.
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