Archive for March, 2009

31 March 2009 After more than nine months of a sharp downward trend, the global container shipping industry is showing signs of improving in the second quarter, said a senior container shipping official.

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk met today with the Nigerian Commerce Minister, Chief Achike Udenwa, to discuss progress made during the sixth meeting of the U.S.-Nigeria Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council, held today at USTR. Ambassador Kirk and Minister Udenwa discussed several common objectives, including cooperation in the World Trade Organization (WTO), implementation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), market access, intellectual property rights and improving the bilateral investment climate between the United States and Nigeria.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Senate today overwhelmingly approved the nomination of USTR designee Ron Kirk as the nation’s 16th trade representative. As United States Trade Representative (USTR), Kirk is member of President Obama’s Cabinet and serves as the President’s principal trade advisor, negotiator and spokesperson on trade issues. He is the first African American to serve in the post.

OHL’s Mark Holmes, VP Global Integrated Solutions, named as chairman of The American Society of Transportation and Logistics.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled in favor of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) today in its lawsuit seeking an injunction against the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach Concession Plans. The three-judge panel ruled unanimously to remand the case to the U.S. District Court and indicated that the judge should grant the ATA an injunction against all or part of the Concession Plans.

Mexico detailed its new tariffs on U.S.-made goods, roughly 90 products ranging from food staples such as potatoes and apricots to an eclectic mix including deodorant and Christmas trees.

Australia and Korea have agreed to launch bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations.
The Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, welcomed the agreement today by the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Myung-bak.

OHL’s Mary Jo Muoio is quite an amazing lady. Mary Jo is working on her second term as president of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America. She became the first female president for the organization.