Lamy: Russia Could Join WTO This Year

(EurActiv)

Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) is in sight and could be sealed by the end of this year, WTO Director General Pascal Lamy told Reuters in an interview yesterday (28 July).

“There’s clearly an acceleration in this Russian accession (bid) to the WTO recently. I now believe that Russian accession to the WTO is in sight. I even would say it can be done by the end of this year when we have a WTO ministerial,” Lamy said. ”My feeling... now is that it can and will probably work.”

Russia’s 18-year quest to join the WTO is a history of missed deadlines and optimistic predictions of an imminent deal, but Lamy said he had never made such a prediction before. Read more here.

Owens: Shared Massena Port-of-Entry Option Moving Forward

(Brian Hayden — Watertown Daily Times)

Process under way: Canada files inquiry, taking first step toward shared station

The Canadian government has informed the U.S. government it’s ready to discuss siting a shared port of entry in Massena, according to Rep. William L. Owens.

Until 2009, the Canadian customs booths at the Seaway International Bridge crossing were on Cornwall Island, which is part of the Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation. When the Canadian government made a move to arm its customs officers, protests from the Mohawks closed the bridge for six weeks and prompted the checkpoint to be temporarily moved to Cornwall, Ontario.

Since then, the Canadian government has considered four options for the future of its customs booth: creating a shared port of entry in Massena, making the temporary station permanent, returning to the island or closing down the bridge. Mr. Owens, D-Plattsburgh, said the shared port of entry option took a step forward this summer. Read more here.

Full Enforcement of Requirement to Notify FDA of Foreign Food Rejections to Begin Sept. 6

(World Trade Interactive)

In May 2011 the Food and Drug Administration issued an interim final rule requiring persons submitting a prior notice of imported food, including food for animals, to report the name of any country to which the food has been refused entry. FDA is now announcing that the discretionary period of enforcement of this requirement will end Sept. 6.

FDA states that enforcement of this rule will begin Sept. 6 and will help the agency make better informed decisions in managing the potential risks of imported food. FDA explained when it issued the rule that in light of the volume of prior notices being submitted – more than ten million in 2010 – requiring notice of prior refusals will allow it to better identify imported food shipments that may pose safety and security risks to U.S. consumers.

U.S. Trucking Wages to Rise by 30%

(International Freighting Weekly)

U.S. shortfall in drivers will double in a year to 300,000

U.S. trucking companies may face a massive  30% surge in wages by 2014 as rising demand for freight shipments threatens to push the industry’s driver shortage to the longest on record, according to freight transport analysis firm, FTR Associates.

The Nashville-based firm predicted that the current shortfall in drivers will double in a year to about 300,000 full-time positions, or 10% of the workforce. Read more here.

International Trade Growth Cooled in Second Quarter, OECD Says

(Bloomberg – Scott Hamilton)

Global trade cooled in the second quarter, with growth in both exports and imports slowing in most Group of Seven countries and major emerging markets, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said.

Goods export growth among the G-7 and the BRICS nations of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa slowed to 1.9 percent from 7.7 percent in the previous three months, the Paris-based institution said in an e-mailed statement today. Imports rose 1.1 percent, down from 10 percent. Read more here.

U.S. Manufacturing Sector Barely Expanding

(Industry Week)

For the second month running in August, the U.S. economy hardly grew, according to The Institute of Supply Management. Its indexed survey of purchasing managers was at 50.6%, down from 50.9% in July, with a reading above 50 indicating growth.

The ISM said overall sentiment in the manufacturing sector “is one of concern and caution over the domestic and international economic environment, which is affecting customers’ confidence and willingness to place orders, at least in the short term.” Read more here.

Related: Eurozone Manufacturing Slump

News from TAHOCO: Weekly Updates

An updated list of recently published US government memorandums, notices, regulations and decisions for the week ending September 2, 2011 is now available on our website here.

NAFTA Surface Trade Rises 11%

(Journal of Commerce Online – William B. Cassidy)

Value of land-based trade breaks 2008 record, hits $77.5 billion in June

The dollar value of U.S. surface trade with Canada and Mexico rose 11% in June to $77.5 billion, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics said Tuesday.

That’s a 52.7% increase from June 2009, when the economic recovery was just beginning, and a 4.6% increase over June 2008 – the previous high mark.

The June figures reflect increased international trade this year with customers and suppliers on both sides of the U.S. border, despite a faltering domestic economy. Trucking companies such as FedEx Freight, Swift Transportation and Averitt Express are expanding on both sides of the U.S. border as freight flow increases. Read more here.

Updated ACE User Guides Now Available

(CBP)

The following updated versions of Automated Customs Environment (ACE) User Guides are now available on CBP.gov.

The “ACE 101” user guide provides a history of ACE and highlights capabilities currently available. “ACE 101” user guide

The “Using the ACE Reports Tool” user guide provides updated instructions for importers, brokers and carriers on running ACE reports, including information on how to use the new Shared Reports folder.

The : “Report Tool for Truck Carriers” user guide provides updated instruction on running ACE reports, including information on how to use the new Shared Reports folder.  

The “Periodic Monthly Statement” user guide provides updated information on how to apply for participation in periodic monthly statement.