U.S. imports of water from Fiji are down sharply
CNN Living poses the question — has bottled water become the new eco-no-no? — and answers, not quite yet.
But trade statistics do show a marked drop in U.S. imports of “unsweetened water” (HS code 2201) from top sources France (Evian, Perrier, among others) and Fiji (Fiji Water and Aqua Pacific). See the Datamyne Top 5 U.S. Sources for Imported Water.
The backlash against bottled water has been building since at least 2006. Critics say emptied water bottles add unnecessarily to the waste stream … and potable water is too scarce a resource in some exporting countries to privatize. The fall-off in exports of Fiji waters may owe something to local politics; exports were temporarily banned in 2008. Some bad press last year (to which Fiji Water responded here) probably didn’t help sales.
Still, a product touted as “the next wine” by Bottled Water of the World clearly has a future in global trade. Indeed, while many high-end restaurants now offer a choice of bottled or tap water, Fine H2O, a self-described “premier importer and distributor of the finest, most unique luxury bottled waters from around the world” has opened its first boutique in Carmel-By-The-Sea, with others to follow in New York and Philadelphia.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
An Earth Day Story
The HS gets in the way of spreading environmental goods
What’s the difference between a pipe used in treating wastewater and a pipe that transports oil? A hotplate and a solar cooker? A refrigerator that’s energy-efficient versus an energy hog? In the Harmonized Commodity Coding and Description System (HS) — at the six-digit level — absolutely nothing. And that’s a problem for policymakers who would encourage global trade in environmental goods, or EGs.
World Trade Organization (WTO) members have worked for years to agree on EGs that would benefit from trade liberalization, starting with a list of around 400. In 2007, the U.S. and EU called on WTO members to eliminate tariffs no later than 2013 on 43 EG identified by the World Bank as being “climate friendly.” Last December, the U.S. Trade Representative signaled support for a plurilateral agreement within the WTO to lower trade barriers to EGs.
The World Bank’s 43 EGs, identified at the WTO-recognized six-digit HS code level used to specify tariffs and track trade, fall into seven categories:
1. Air Pollution Control
2. Management of Solid and Hazardous Waste
3. Renewable Energy Plant
4. Heat and Energy Management
5. Waste Water Management and Potable Water Treatment
6. Cleaner or More Resource Efficient Technologies and Products
7. Environmental Monitoring, Analysis, and Assessment Equipment
Trouble is, the six-digit codes lump together the environmentally good, bad and ugly, drawing no distinction drawn between, for instance, clean and dirty coal technologies. The World Bank proposes a “systematic alignment of harmonization standards.” The World Bank’s 2007 report is at http://bit.ly/bT13xv.
Suggesting the magnitude of realigning HS is the multi-year “mapping exercise” by the International Center for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) that would “set the stage” for customs classification of renewable energy, buildings, and transport goods. Reports to date are at http://bit.ly/96iBsH.
Of course, the HS codes also frustrate buyers and sellers trying to gauge EG market demand. Fortunately, there are other sources for detailed market information — such as The Datamyne bill of lading database — for the U.S, the largest import market for EG, taking in 13% of an estimated $215 billion in global exports in 2008. More global EG trade numbers are in a December 2009 Special Report from U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, at http://bit.ly/a7oxCZ. To learn more about how The Datamyne can help research the U.S. import market, contact us.
What’s the difference between a pipe used in treating wastewater and a pipe that transports oil? A hotplate and a solar cooker? A refrigerator that’s energy-efficient versus an energy hog? In the Harmonized Commodity Coding and Description System (HS) — at the six-digit level — absolutely nothing. And that’s a problem for policymakers who would encourage global trade in environmental goods, or EGs.
World Trade Organization (WTO) members have worked for years to agree on EGs that would benefit from trade liberalization, starting with a list of around 400. In 2007, the U.S. and EU called on WTO members to eliminate tariffs no later than 2013 on 43 EG identified by the World Bank as being “climate friendly.” Last December, the U.S. Trade Representative signaled support for a plurilateral agreement within the WTO to lower trade barriers to EGs.
The World Bank’s 43 EGs, identified at the WTO-recognized six-digit HS code level used to specify tariffs and track trade, fall into seven categories:
1. Air Pollution Control
2. Management of Solid and Hazardous Waste
3. Renewable Energy Plant
4. Heat and Energy Management
5. Waste Water Management and Potable Water Treatment
6. Cleaner or More Resource Efficient Technologies and Products
7. Environmental Monitoring, Analysis, and Assessment Equipment
Trouble is, the six-digit codes lump together the environmentally good, bad and ugly, drawing no distinction drawn between, for instance, clean and dirty coal technologies. The World Bank proposes a “systematic alignment of harmonization standards.” The World Bank’s 2007 report is at http://bit.ly/bT13xv.
Suggesting the magnitude of realigning HS is the multi-year “mapping exercise” by the International Center for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) that would “set the stage” for customs classification of renewable energy, buildings, and transport goods. Reports to date are at http://bit.ly/96iBsH.
Of course, the HS codes also frustrate buyers and sellers trying to gauge EG market demand. Fortunately, there are other sources for detailed market information — such as The Datamyne bill of lading database — for the U.S, the largest import market for EG, taking in 13% of an estimated $215 billion in global exports in 2008. More global EG trade numbers are in a December 2009 Special Report from U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, at http://bit.ly/a7oxCZ. To learn more about how The Datamyne can help research the U.S. import market, contact us.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Miss Swaziland's "Dubai"
There’s a name for re-exported, pre-owned, repurposed cars
News that General Motors sold more cars in China than in the U.S. in March sent us to the data on U.S. car imports and exports. Among other searches, we looked for 2009’s top destinations for U.S. “passenger motor vehicles with spark ignition internal combustion piston engines” — gasoline-fueled cars in the Harmonized Tariff System — and found, not surprisingly, NAFTA trading partners Canada and Mexico in the lead (see the Datamyne Top 5 Destinations for U.S. Car Exports). What did surprise was the United Arab Emirates in fifth place … until we realized the data included new and used cars. Filter out the used cars, and the top 5 markets for U.S. car exports last year line up as Canada, Mexico, Germany, Saudi Arabia, with China taking the fifth slot (keep in mind that GM’s China sales are through its Chinese joint venture).
Focus only on used vehicles, and the UAE, home to one of the world’s major used-car marts, moves to the top of the list. The Dubai Cars and AutoMotive Zone (DUCAMZ) opened in April 2000 with the objective of re-exporting used cars, SUVs, and mini-vans, and their parts. The re-exports are commonplace in south Asia and Africa, many repurposed as taxis and kombis or mini-buses for hire. Indeed, in some markets, a “Dubai” is slang for “pre-owned vehicle,” as the headline on a story in the Times (Swaziland) about one of the newly-crowned Miss Swaziland’s prizes, a pre-owned Opel Astra, indicates. (DUCAMZ was in the news earlier this month as the zone’s car dealers protested the implementation of a new customs declarations system, now temporarily suspended.)
As with Miss Swaziland’s Dubai, the DUCAMZ re-exports are mostly Japanese makes and models. With its huge domestic market for used cars, the U.S. has not been a major source. But that was changing: U.S. used vehicle exports overall were up by more than 50% in 2008 — before the global financial crisis threw the trend into reverse. Based on January-February trade data, it looks like exports are climbing again, but not yet to the heights of 2008.
News that General Motors sold more cars in China than in the U.S. in March sent us to the data on U.S. car imports and exports. Among other searches, we looked for 2009’s top destinations for U.S. “passenger motor vehicles with spark ignition internal combustion piston engines” — gasoline-fueled cars in the Harmonized Tariff System — and found, not surprisingly, NAFTA trading partners Canada and Mexico in the lead (see the Datamyne Top 5 Destinations for U.S. Car Exports). What did surprise was the United Arab Emirates in fifth place … until we realized the data included new and used cars. Filter out the used cars, and the top 5 markets for U.S. car exports last year line up as Canada, Mexico, Germany, Saudi Arabia, with China taking the fifth slot (keep in mind that GM’s China sales are through its Chinese joint venture).
Focus only on used vehicles, and the UAE, home to one of the world’s major used-car marts, moves to the top of the list. The Dubai Cars and AutoMotive Zone (DUCAMZ) opened in April 2000 with the objective of re-exporting used cars, SUVs, and mini-vans, and their parts. The re-exports are commonplace in south Asia and Africa, many repurposed as taxis and kombis or mini-buses for hire. Indeed, in some markets, a “Dubai” is slang for “pre-owned vehicle,” as the headline on a story in the Times (Swaziland) about one of the newly-crowned Miss Swaziland’s prizes, a pre-owned Opel Astra, indicates. (DUCAMZ was in the news earlier this month as the zone’s car dealers protested the implementation of a new customs declarations system, now temporarily suspended.)
As with Miss Swaziland’s Dubai, the DUCAMZ re-exports are mostly Japanese makes and models. With its huge domestic market for used cars, the U.S. has not been a major source. But that was changing: U.S. used vehicle exports overall were up by more than 50% in 2008 — before the global financial crisis threw the trend into reverse. Based on January-February trade data, it looks like exports are climbing again, but not yet to the heights of 2008.
Friday, April 9, 2010
U.S. Export Market Sourcebook
ITA annual on FTAs, top trading partner nations available for download
The International Trade Administration’s Top U.S. Export Markets, published annually since 2007, consists of two-page fact sheets on 14 current or pending free trade agreements and on 50 countries (plus the European Union) that are leading markets for U.S. exports. The fact sheets cover basic economic data for the past three years, such as gross domestic product, exports and imports, trade balance with the U.S., and the level of foreign direct investment. Charts show the leading U.S. exports to each trade partner by industry category, U.S. market share, and other trade information. Download your copy at http://bit.ly/a7rCvm
The International Trade Administration’s Top U.S. Export Markets, published annually since 2007, consists of two-page fact sheets on 14 current or pending free trade agreements and on 50 countries (plus the European Union) that are leading markets for U.S. exports. The fact sheets cover basic economic data for the past three years, such as gross domestic product, exports and imports, trade balance with the U.S., and the level of foreign direct investment. Charts show the leading U.S. exports to each trade partner by industry category, U.S. market share, and other trade information. Download your copy at http://bit.ly/a7rCvm
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Clock Stops on Countdown to Tariffs
Brazil, U.S. reach agreement in 11th-hour talks
Brazil’s threat to impose stiff tariffs on a range of U.S. products and commodities as of April 7 has been withdrawn thanks to negotiations that began April 1 and concluded with an agreement announced April 6.
The tariffs were to be in retaliation for U.S. government subsidies to American cotton growers.
In exchange for Brazil’s agreement not to impose countermeasures, the U.S. agreed to work with Brazil to establish a fund of approximately $147.3 million per year on a pro rata basis to provide technical assistance and capacity building. Under terms to be agreed by the U.S. and Brazil in a Memorandum of Understanding, the fund would continue until passage of the next Farm Bill, or mutual agreement on a solution to the cotton dispute, whichever is sooner.
The U.S. also agreed to make some near-term modifications to the operation of the GSM-102 Export Credit Guarantee Program, and to take steps to clear the way for U.S. imports of fresh beef from the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina.
Following these initial steps, the U.S. and Brazil will continue discussions with a view to agreeing on a process by June that resolves the cotton dispute. See the full text of the U.S. Trade Representative release at http://bit.ly/auwN0A
Update: 4/21/10 Brazil’s Foreign Relations Ministry announced it will suspend tariff retaliation on U.S. goods 60 days while it studies the U.S. offer of compensation for domestic cotton subsidies.
Brazil’s threat to impose stiff tariffs on a range of U.S. products and commodities as of April 7 has been withdrawn thanks to negotiations that began April 1 and concluded with an agreement announced April 6.
The tariffs were to be in retaliation for U.S. government subsidies to American cotton growers.
In exchange for Brazil’s agreement not to impose countermeasures, the U.S. agreed to work with Brazil to establish a fund of approximately $147.3 million per year on a pro rata basis to provide technical assistance and capacity building. Under terms to be agreed by the U.S. and Brazil in a Memorandum of Understanding, the fund would continue until passage of the next Farm Bill, or mutual agreement on a solution to the cotton dispute, whichever is sooner.
The U.S. also agreed to make some near-term modifications to the operation of the GSM-102 Export Credit Guarantee Program, and to take steps to clear the way for U.S. imports of fresh beef from the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina.
Following these initial steps, the U.S. and Brazil will continue discussions with a view to agreeing on a process by June that resolves the cotton dispute. See the full text of the U.S. Trade Representative release at http://bit.ly/auwN0A
Update: 4/21/10 Brazil’s Foreign Relations Ministry announced it will suspend tariff retaliation on U.S. goods 60 days while it studies the U.S. offer of compensation for domestic cotton subsidies.
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