Sarkozy Helps to Bring Syria Out of Isolation
French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s “Union for the Mediterranean” represented an end to the diplomatic isolation of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, who has long been ostracized by the West. New York Times, July 14, 2008
Anheuser-Busch Agrees to Be Sold to InBev
Anheuser-Busch agreed on Sunday night to sell itself to the Belgian brewer InBev for about $52 billion, putting control of the nation’s largest beer maker and a fixture of American culture into a European rival’s hands. New York Times, July 14, 2008
Opening up trade with Colombia
Colombia's brilliant liberation of 15 hostages, including three Americans held for years by the narco-terrorist group FARC, is fantastic news, not just for the hostages, their families, and the Colombian government, but for all who support Colombia's fight to protect and perfect its democracy. Boston Globe, July 10, 2008
Bush Leaves G-8 Citing Progress on Emissions Goals
President George W. Bush said the Group of Eight industrial nations made "significant progress" in addressing global warming and called for more negotiations with developing countries on cutting emissions. Yahoo News USA, July 9, 2008
Trade Policy
California Coalition or 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
AJR 55 ( Villines) U.S. -- Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement
This measure would express the Legislature's recognition of and support for the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. Refused Adoption by Assembly Jobs, Economic Development & the Economy, June 24, 2008.
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.
SJR 29 (Ackerman) U.S. - Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement
This measure would express the Legislature's recognition of and support for the U.S. - Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. Refused Adoption in Senate Business, Professions & Economic Development, June 23, 2008.
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