Forty-six U.S. business executives will join Commerce Secretary Locke in China and Indonesia May 15-25 on the first cabinet-level trade mission of the Obama administration. Locke will lead American companies on this clean energy mission to advance their export opportunities and support American jobs. (Release, dated 05/04/10, available at http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_009210)

The U.S. and Trinidad and Tobago have reached a new Open-Skies aviation agreement that is more extensive than the prior agreement. Under the new agreement, airlines from both countries will be allowed to select routes and destinations based on consumer demand for both passenger and cargo services, without limitations. (DOT 87-10, dated 05/04/10, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/dot8710.htm)

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has ruled that the use of hexane (mixed isomers), n-hexane, cyclohexane, heptane, potassium hydroxide, distilled lime oil (Citrus aurantifolia), lemon oil (Citrus limonium), and cornmint oil (Mentha arvensis and Mentha canadensis) are authorized as substitute denaturants. (TTB ruling 2010-3, dated 04/27/10, available at http://www.ttb.gov/rulings/2010-3rule.pdf)

The Department of Transportation is seeking public comment to help finalize a new strategic plan, Transportation for a New Generation, that will help set the priorities of the department and offers a blueprint for improving transportation safety, maintaining transportation infrastructure, fostering livable communities, etc. A copy of the plan can be viewed at www.dot.gov. (release 83-10, dated 05/04/10, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/dot8310.htm)

The Department of Commerce encourages businesses to exhibit at Rebuild Chile 2010, a trade show certified under the DOC Trade Fair Certification Program. The exhibition will be held from June 15-17, 2010 in Santiago, Chile and is the only forum in Chile that targets the rebuilding efforts of the Chilean government's response to the February 2010 earthquake. (release available at http://www.export.gov/eac/show_detail_trade_events.asp?EventID=30896)

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau will hold two Alcohol Industry Federal Compliance Training seminars in Florida on June 15 (Tampa) and June 17 (Fort Lauderdale). Registration is required and space is limited. (Information available at http://www.ttb.gov/pdf/seminars/florida_seminar.pdf)

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has announced the country-specific allocations for the recently announced increase to the fiscal year 2010 in-quota tariff-rate quota quantity for imported raw cane sugar.

The Justice Department has intervened in a whistleblower lawsuit against Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR), Panalpina Inc. and others that alleges that employees of two freight forwarders doing business with the companies provided unlawful kickbacks to KBR transportation department employees. The government will seek damages and penalties under the False Claims Act and common law, as well as penalties under the Anti-Kickback Act. (DOJ press release, dated 05/05/10, available at http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/May/10-civ-529.html)

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued an emergency declaration stating that motor carriers and drivers transporting (i) specialized equipment to seal the ruptured well head and to effect other immediate and necessary repairs of the oil well and/or adjacent pipelines, (ii) booms, skimmers, chemical dispersants, flammable liquids and other oil containment equipment, or (iii) other equipment, supplies and materials used to provide direct assistance for emergency relief efforts related to the above oil spill are exempt from 49 CFR Parts 390-399 from 2:00 p.m. EDT, April 30, 2010, until 11:59 p.m. EDT, May 14, 2010. (Declaration, dated 04/30/10, available at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/Oil-Spill-Emergency-Declaration.aspx)

The Department of Defense has released an interim change to Military Freight Traffic Unified Rules Publication No. 1, which adds certain safety requirements for motor carriers authorized to provide Satellite Motor Surveillance for 1.1 to 1.3 Ammunition and Explosives. (DOD notice, FR Pub 05/05/10, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-10511.pdf