US EAR relaxation to India

U.S. - India Partnership On Export Controls and Non-Proliferation (Nov. 8, 2010) is worth while reading for export compliance managers. Although this is only direction and not yet in legal implementation, need to understand this policy change.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/india-factsheets/India-US_Agreement_on_Export_Controls.pdf

In summary, it describes as:

1. The US will support India's full membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Australia Group, and the Wassenaar Arrangement over time.

2. The US will remove some India entities from the "Entity List"

3. The US will "realign" India in the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), giving India treatment similar to close allies and partners such as the UK and Canada.

4. BIS will take India out of Country Group D in the EAR, which will significantly narrow, but not eliminate, the US catch-all control prohibiting exports and reexports to missile activities in India.

5. India and the US will expand dialogue on export control issues though the US-India Technology Cooperation Group on topics such as capacity building, best practices sharing and outreach within industry.


By calling to India, "Hey, come to our side, please", this would be effective containment policy toward PRC China, and encourage export of US to emerging market in Asia.

Japan - Peru EPA conclusion of negotiation

On November 14, 2010, MOFA announced joint statement on the Conclusion of Negotiations for an EPA between Japan and Peru.

http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/latin/peru/epa1011/joint1011.html

It is expected this EPA come into force sometime in 2011.

(Ref. METI web site - Japanese: http://www.meti.go.jp/press/20101114001/20101114001.html)

Basic policy of FTA - Japanese government

On November 6th, 2010, Japanese government announced its basic policy on Comprehensive Economic Partnerships on MOFA web site.
This is bearing in mind APEC meeting this week in Yokohama and recent hot topic of TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) Agreement.

http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/economy/fta/policy20101106.html

Overall, it is very general and just announcing basic strategy how Japanese government tackle the future FTA negotiation, while working on domestic policy issue such as measures to be taken to agricultural industry.

The important point in this announcement is the decision of JPN gov't on TPP.
It is described as " it is necessary to act through gathering further information, and Japan, while moving expeditiously to improve domestic environment, will commence consultations with the TPP member countries."

For me, this seems to be vague and unclear message. It looks JPN did not decide to join TPP negotiation, but is interested in it. This is politically technical expression, paying highly consideration to domestic agricultural industry, while just giving impression "we go forward" to industrial sectors who strongly support the TPP.