U.S. Trade Partners 2009

Rank	Country
1	Canada
2	China
3	Mexico
4	Japan
5	Germany
6	United Kingdom
7	South Korea
8	France
9	Netherland
10	Brazil

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Normally, I blog about trade issues but I must say I was shocked to read in the news that France's President Sarkozy is attempting to obtain a partial ban on any veil that cover the face-including the burqa that is worn by some Muslim women in France.  According to Sarkozy ..

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On October 5, 2009, Ambassador Kirk announced that the Office of the United States Trade Representative was launching an initiative aimed at increasing exports by small- and medium-sized firms in the United States. In addition to creating a USTR-wide working group focused on SME issues, Kirk announced that USTR was requesting an investigation by the USITC to better understand how many of America's small- and medium-sized enterprises export now, their role in generating employment and economic activity in the U.S., and how increased trading opportunities might benefit these businesses and their workers. This first USITC report released today covers SME exporting activity. Key findings include:

 

· SMEs play a crucial role in job creation. Over the last two decades, SMEs have accounted for almost 65 percent of new jobs created in the U.S. Overall they account for half of non-farm U.S. employment.

· Almost 80 percent of American SME employment is within the services sector, compared with 85 percent...

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In the rush to Asia, the potential of the European market for U.S. companies is overlooked.   With the weakened dollar, American products and services have an advantage over European competitors.  Particularly, high tech industries, cell phones,  and service sector exports.

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The Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced today that five foreign subsidiaries of Thermon Manufacturing Company, a San Marcos, Texas-based firm, have agreed to pay a total of $176,000 in combined civil penalties to settle allegations that they participated in unlicensed exports and reexports of heat tracing equipment to Iran, Syria, Libya and listed entities in India, in violation of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).  Thermon Manufacturing voluntarily disclosed the violations to BIS. "Thermon's foreign subsidiaries placed orders intended for and ultimately shipped to sanctioned countries and listed entities," said Kevin Delli-Colli Acting Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement.  "A number of the violations occurred despite the fact that Thermon U.S. told the subsidiaries that such actions were prohibited."

BIS alleged that between October 2002 and June 2006, the five subsidiaries--Thermon Europe B.V., Thermon Far East Ltd., Thermon Heat Tracers Pvt. Ltd....

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U.S. country of origin labeling law referred to as "COOL" has brought a heated trade battle between effected countries Canada, Mexico and the U.S. Taking effect March 2009, U.S. enacted country of origin labeling laws on beef, pork, lamb, fish and other agriculture products imported into the United States from Mexico and Canada. On its face, this law does not seem to merit the controversy it has received. It is well known that most trading countries require origin markings for imported goods. However, Canada and Mexico contend this is disguised protectionism which has consequently impacted their cattle industry with a projected loss of 400 million. This loss is namely due to operating and recordkeeping cost needed to meet the mix labeling requirement, that specifies producers must notate on the label the country of origin for the various stages of food processing. In the case of ground beef, an animal born in Canada, slaughtered in Mexico and finally ground in the U.S., requires labeling to state Canada, Mexico...

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