By David H. Baker on 9/19/2009 7:33 AM

On August 27, 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on wood packaging material used in domestic commerce.  74 Fed. Reg. 43643 (2009).  The purpose of the rulemaking is to solicit public opinion on regulatory options to combat plant pests in wood pallets and boxes.  One goal of the rulemaking is to develop uniform measures to treat wood packaging materials. 

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By David H. Baker on 9/9/2009 5:47 AM

U.S. officials told their Chinese counterparts last week to reduce their emphasis on exports to the U.S.  At last week’s annual Strategic and Economic Dialogue in Washington, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of the Treasury Tim Geithner told Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo and Vice Premier Wang Qishan that Chinese needs to build its own internal consumer market and not rely so heavily on the U.S. export market. The very clear message was that the U.S. economy was not going to rebound quickly, or as significantly, as in the past, and that China needed to find other markets if it wants to sustain its growth.  U.S. officials also pressed Chinese officials to revise their monetary policy and allow a free float of the yuan. This latter message has been communicated through both the Bush and Clinton administrations, with very little success.  A very limited float was allowed by the Chinese in 2007.

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By David H. Baker on 7/22/2009 7:26 AM

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced on July 16, 2009, in a speech to steel workers in Pennsylvania, that among his top priorities for 2009 will be concluding the proposed free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea.   

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By David H. Baker on 6/28/2009 6:18 AM

In a presentation to the U.S.-China Business Council on June 2, 2009, new U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk struck a very positive message about China (as compared to more aggressive messages from comparable Bush appointees). 

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By David H. Baker on 5/22/2009 9:01 AM

 In early May, the U.S. Justice Department, acting for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, announced a plea agreement with an importer accused of violating the Lacey Act by importing certain cribs made from an internationally protected wood species.

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