U.S.A.'s latest news

News: May 25, 2018

Memorial Day
On Memorial Day, the U.S. Department of Labor joins all Americans in honoring the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.
In Case You Missed It

YouthBuild Grants

The Department announced $85 million in grants to support and expand YouthBuild programs, which provide at-risk youth with education and occupational skills.

Healthcare Fraud

For defrauding healthcare benefit programs, the former owners of a Florida substance abuse recovery center were sentenced to prison and must restore $4.05 million.

#NDEAM 2018

This year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month theme will be "America's Workforce: Empowering All."
 
Disability Grants

The Office of Disability Employment Policy will award up to $20 million in state grants for programs that help workers stay at work after an injury or illness.

Trench Fatality

OSHA has cited a South Florida utility company and proposed maximum penalties after an employee sustained fatal injuries.

Whistleblower Protection

The Department ordered a Florida flight training company to reinstate an instructor who was terminated after raising safety concerns.
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June 5th Webinar
China Aviation Market Overview and China Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition Opportunities



About the webinar

The Global Aviation Team of International Trade Administration (ITA), U.S. Department of Commerce is pleased to announce a webinar on the China Aviation Industry focusing on the General Aviation subsector. This webinar will help U.S. companies learn more about the industry and the keys to success in China. It will discuss a major opportunity to break into the China market by exhibiting at the biannual China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (known as Airshow China).
Agenda

The webinar will provide an overview of the Aviation Market in China and cover topics including:
Brief Overview of China Aviation Industry by the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou
Detailed review of the China General Aviation subsector by the U.S.-China Aviation Cooperation Program
Opportunities at Airshow China 2018 presented by Kallman Worldwide
Opportunities in complimentary markets Vietnam and Hong Kong
China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China)

China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (known as Airshow China) is the only international aerospace trade show in China that is endorsed by the Chinese central government. It features product displays, trade talks, technological exchanges, a flying demonstration and thousands of potential customers. China is regarded as the fastest growing aviation market in the world and its general aviation Industry is predicted to grow at an annual average rate of 19% until 2020. Since 1996, the show has been successfully held in Zhuhai city in every even-numbered year for 11 sessions. Airshow China 2018 will take place from Nov. 6-11, 2018.
About the U.S. Program at Airshow China 2018

The U.S. Commercial Service in China and Kallman Worldwide are proud to announce a joint U.S. Program at Airshow China 2018. The U.S. program includes:
Pre-show industry briefing
USG-hosted networking event with key industry stakeholders
Exhibition booth at U.S. Pavilion
On-site counseling from U.S. Commercial Service China
Gold-key Matchmaking service
Customized Single Company Promotion
NEW! Spinoff Event Opportunities in Vietnam and Hong Kong

When:
Tuesday, June 5th @ 8:00PM (U.S. Eastern Standard Time) /Wednesday, June 6th @ 8:00AM (China Time)

Where:
At Your Desk

Cost:
$25 per company

2 Options for Registration:
To have registration paid by Kallman Worldwide, please register through Kallman Worldwide.

To pay your own registration fee, please use this link: China Aviation Webinar.

Please RSVP by June 4th, 2018

For More Information:

Tony Hill
Senior International Trade Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service Sacramento
+1 916-566-7011
Anthony.Hill@trade.gov

Christine Kelley
Commercial Officer
U.S. Commercial Service Guangzhou, China
+86 20-3814 5077
christine.kelley@trade.gov

Roya Xie
Commercial Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service Guangzhou, China
+86 20-3814 5807
roya.xie@trade.gov



The U.S. Commercial Service is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. U.S. Commercial Service trade professionals in over 100 U.S. cities and in more than 75 markets help U.S. companies get started in exporting or increase sales to global markets. 

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WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing a rule to end a program that allows certain foreign entrepreneurs to be considered for parole to temporarily come to the United States to develop and build start-up businesses here, known as the International Entrepreneur Rule (IE Final Rule). In July 2017, DHS published a final rule to delay the implementation date of the IE Final Rule to March 14, 2018, to give the Department time to draft a rescission of the IE Final Rule. However, in December 2017, a federal court vacated the delay rule, requiring USCIS to begin accepting international entrepreneur parole applications consistent with the IE Final Rule. DHS is now proposing to eliminate the IE Final Rule because the department believes that it represents an overly broad interpretation of parole authority, lacks sufficient protections for U.S. workers and investors, and is not the appropriate vehicle for attracting and retaining international entrepreneurs. By statute, DHS has discretionary authority to parole individuals into the United States temporarily, on a case-by-case basis, for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. After reviewing DHS parole programs in accordance with the Executive Order titled Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements, issued on Jan. 25, 2017, DHS is proposing to remove regulations published as part of the IE Final Rule. DHS concluded that the IE Final Rule created a complex and highly-structured program that was best established by the legislative process rather than relying on an unorthodox use of the Secretary’s authority to “temporarily” parole, in a categorical way, aliens based on “significant public benefit”. The Immigration and Nationality Act already provides for visa classifications that enable certain entrepreneurs to start businesses and work in the United States, such as the E-2 nonimmigrant classification and the EB-5 immigrant classification. DHS is committed to reviewing all existing employment-based immigrant and nonimmigrant visa programs to ensure program integrity and protect the interests of U.S. investors and workers. For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), Instagram (/uscis), YouTube (/uscis), and Facebook (/uscis). WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing a rule to end a program that allows certain foreign entrepreneurs to be considered for parole to temporarily come to the United States to develop and build start-up businesses here, known as the International Entrepreneur Rule (IE Final Rule).  In July 2017, DHS published a final rule to delay the implementation date of the IE Final Rule to March 14, 2018, to give the Department time to draft a rescission of the IE Final Rule. However, in December 2017, a federal court vacated the delay rule, requiring USCIS to begin accepting international entrepreneur parole applications consistent with the IE Final Rule. DHS is now proposing to eliminate the IE Final Rule because the department believes that it represents an overly broad interpretation of parole authority, lacks sufficient protections for U.S. workers and investors, and is not the appropriate vehicle for attracting and retaining international entrepreneurs. By statute, DHS has discretionary authority to parole individuals into the United States temporarily, on a case-by-case basis, for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. After reviewing DHS parole programs in accordance with the Executive Order titled Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements, issued on Jan. 25, 2017, DHS is proposing to remove regulations published as part of the IE Final Rule. DHS concluded that the IE Final Rule created a complex and highly-structured program that was best established by the legislative process rather than relying on an unorthodox use of the Secretary’s authority to “temporarily” parole, in a categorical way, aliens based on “significant public benefit”. The Immigration and Nationality Act already provides for visa classifications that enable certain entrepreneurs to start businesses and work in the United States, such as the E-2 nonimmigrant classification and the EB-5 immigrant classification. DHS is committed to reviewing all existing employment-based immigrant and nonimmigrant visa programs to ensure program integrity and protect the interests of U.S. investors and workers. For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), Instagram (/uscis), YouTube (/uscis), and Facebook (/uscis). --------------------- The following Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) reports were released on Thursday, May 24, 2018. China: Food-grade Soy Demand Promising but Uncertainty Remains ATO Beijing recently visited China’s major food-grade soy trade show, and spoke with local soy food producers to explore U.S. food-grade soybean export potential. Local contacts respect U.S. soybeans for their high quality, rich color and versatility in food processing. The local Huainan soybean is favored for its high protein content, however traders and food manufacturers are not pleased with its inconsistent quality. Contacts reported a strong interest to import U.S. soybeans, however they cautioned that purchases are held back by bilateral trade uncertainties and the lack of a low-level presence policy by China’s General Administration of Customs. Despite these obstacles, Post recommends that U.S. exporters maintain contact with potential importers and manufacturers, and also consider working with like minded exporting countries (e.g., Canada) to further develop China’s growing market for imported food-grade soybeans. Philippines: Culinary Competition Highlights US Fine Foods FAS Manila, in partnership with De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Enderun Colleges and Lyceum of the Philippines University, organized the first-ever Great American Taste Culinary Competition on May 5, 2018, to showcase the availability, variety, quality and applications of U.S. beef, cheese, nuts, potatoes, raisins and turkey. The event gained press coverage and social media traction. U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim recognized the participating students as “tomorrow’s top chefs” and praised the culinary competition as “an example of the strong cultural collaboration between our two countries and our shared passion for food.” For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov. ---------------------------- FTC Requests Public Comment on Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.’s Application to Approve Sale of Three Fuel Stations in Minnesota and Wisconsin The Federal Trade Commission is currently accepting public comments on an application by Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (“ACT”) to divest three of its 10 fuel stations in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The divestitures are required under the FTC’s Feb. 16, 2018 final order settling charges that ACT’s proposed acquisition of Holiday Companies would violate federal antitrust law. Under the terms of the consent agreement, ACT and its affiliate, CrossAmerica Partners LP (“CAPL”), are required to identify a buyer or buyers that are acceptable to the Commission within 120 days after the transaction closes, and to divest 10 retail fuel stations. The agreement also requires ACT and CAPL to maintain the economic viability, marketability, and competitiveness of each station until the divestiture is complete. The Commission will decide whether to approve the application after a 30-day public comment period, which expires on June 26, 2018. Comments can be filed electronically or sent to: FTC Office of the Secretary, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington. (FTC File No. 1710184; the staff contact is Elizabeth Piotrowski, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2623.) Pay Your Respects This Memorial Day On Memorial Day, we remember and honor those who gave their lives while serving in the armed forces. Take a moment to remember those whose sacrifices safeguarded the freedoms we enjoy today. Learn how you can participate this Memorial Day: Proudly display Old Glory: Show your love for America by displaying the U.S. flag on streets, porches, or proudly carrying it in parades. Did you know there are official rules for exhibiting the U.S. flag? Learn how to fly the Stars and Stripes with honor and respect.  Share our history: Show off your patriotism by participating in the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's (ACHP) photo contest. Learn how to submit your photos to the contest and vote for weekly winners! Visit a site of remembrance: The National Park Service preserves battlefields, military parks, and historic sites that commemorate and honor the service of American veterans. Find a site near you and make a plan to visit over the weekend.  Barbecue Safety Planning a backyard barbecue for Memorial Day weekend? Don’t forget to make sure your meats are cooked hot enough to kill harmful germs. Check out what these temperatures are for different meats and other tips for grilling safely. Travel Safety Tips Getting ready for road trip can be stressful—there’s a lot to remember! From checking your tire pressure to packing an emergency kit, preparation is key. Review these tips for a safe journey before you hit the road. Choosing the Right Car Seat Wondering if your child is outgrowing his or her car seat? It's important to choose and use the right car seat correctly every time your child is in the car. Follow these steps to choosing the right one, installing it correctly, and keeping your child safe.