December 2001 News

President Grants Permanent Trade Status to China

On December 27 President Bush signed a proclamation granting permanent normal trading relations (PNTR) status to the People's Republic of China and terminating application of Jackson-Vanik provisions to China as of January 1, 2002. This is the final step in normalizing U.S.-China trade relations and welcoming China into a global, rules-based trading system.

View White House press release

U.S. Wins WTO Case on Indian Auto Restrictions

On December 21, USTR Zoellick announced that a WTO dispute settlement panel determined that restrictions on U.S. companies manufacturing cars in India violate the WTO Agreement. Ambassador Zoellick stated, "The panel report confirms that WTO Members cannot impose local content requirements or trade balancing requirements on companies doing business in their countries.” View USTR press release (no longer available)

WTO: Mexico Will Host Next Global Trade Meeting in 2003

The WTO announced December 20 that Mexico will host the next global trade meeting in 2003. WTO Director General Moore said that, while no specific time or location has been set for the ministerial, Mexico is a good choice to host the meeting of an organization that is devoted to reducing tariffs and other restrictions on global trade. View Voice of America news report (no longer available)

U.S. Imposes $75 Million in Tariffs on Ukraine for Continued Media Piracy

On December 20, USTR announced that it is placing prohibitive tariffs on $75 million worth of metals, footwear, and other imports from Ukraine because of its failure to enact legislation to crack down on sound recording and optical media piracy. USTR Zoellick stated that, while the United States has worked with Ukraine during the past two years to avoid enacting sanctions, “Ukraine has still not fulfilled its commitments to pass adequate legislation to stop the unlicensed production of optical media products." View the USTR press release (no longer available)

U.S., Australia, Canada, Chile and New Zealand Sign Wine Trade Promotion Agreement

USTR announced that on December 18, the United States signed an agreement with Australia, Canada, Chile and New Zealand to promote trade in wine between the countries. The Agreement will facilitate U.S. wine exports through the countries' mutual acceptance of their respective wine making practices.

View the USTR press release

Mexico: Proposed Standards (Dec. 10-21, 2001)

View recently proposed and enacted Mexican Government standards

Secretary Evans’ Statement on Senate Finance Committee's TPA Vote

Commerce Secretary Evans praised the Senate Finance Committee’s strong, bipartisan vote in support of Trade Promotion Authority on December 12. He stated, "Today's 18-3 vote proves that the Senate supports trade policy, not trade politics." View Secretary Evans’ statement (no longer available)

Secretary Evans Comments on China's WTO Accession

Secretary of Commerce Evans congratulated China on its entry into the WTO. The Secretary stated that China's accession "will open China's market to American exports of industrial goods, services, and agriculture to an unprecedented degree, and strengthen the world economy." View DOC press release (no longer available)

China Joins WTO

China became the 143rd member of the WTO on 11 December 2001, 30 days after it had notified the Director-General that it had completed domestic ratification of its accession package. Taiwan will become the 144th full member of the WTO on January 1, 2002.

View WTO news release

Commerce Secretary Witnesses Signing of Boeing-Vietnam Airlines Purchase Agreement

On December 10, Commerce Secretary Evans witnessed Vietnam Airlines' signing of an agreement to purchase four Boeing-777 jetliners valued at $680 million. The Secretary stated, "This agreement represents a new era for both our countries, setting an example for continued cooperation, new opportunities and job growth in the airline, aviation, and tourism sectors." View DOC press release (no longer available)

Vietnam-United States Trade Agreement Takes Effect

On December 10, USTR Zoellick and Vietnamese Minister of Trade Vu Khoan exchanged letters implementing the U.S.-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement, which took effect that day. USTR Zoellick stated, "Our Agreement represents progress for the United States and Vietnam, but also for the world trading system. This is an example of how two nations once divided by war can employ trade as a tool to work toward reconciliation." View USTR press release (no longer available)

Taiwan to Become WTO Member on January 1

WTO sources report that Taiwan deposited its instrument of ratification with the Secretariat on December 2. Taiwan will become a full member of the WTO (the 144th) on January 1, 2002.

President Bush Signs Jordan Free Trade Agreement Proclamation

On December 7, President Bush signed a proclamation to implement the Jordan- United States Free Trade Agreement. The agreement will be implemented on December 17, 2001.

View text of Presidential Proclamation on Jordan Free Trade Agreement

Commerce Announces Schedule for Next Phase of Section 201 Steel Proceeding

On December 7, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) recommended that the President provide relief to the domestic steel industry under Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974. The Commissioners recommended that some form of relief be provided for each of the 16 product categories for which the ITC made an affirmative or tied determination of injury in October. View text of Commerce Department press release (no longer available)

President Bush and Secretary Evans Comment on Passage of TPA

President Bush and Commerce Secretary Evans commented on the House of Representatives’ passage of legislation granting Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) to the President on December 6. Mr. Bush commended the House for its action, stating that TPA “will give me the flexibility I need to secure the greatest possible trade opportunities for America's farmers, workers, families, and consumers.” The President stated, “Trade Promotion Authority is a key part of our trade agenda. It will help us pursue and complete trade agreements, including the global trade negotiations launched last month in Doha, Qatar.” The President urged the Senate “to move quickly to send me a Trade Promotion Authority bill I can sign.” Secretary Evans called the vote “...a win for expanding trade; a win for American leadership around the world; a win for the American worker, entrepreneur, businessman, and farmer; and a win for the economic security of America.” He stated that, “Opening markets for American products and crops will result in more and better paying jobs for Americans and lower prices for American consumers.”

View President Bush’s statement

WIPO Copyright Treaty to Enter Into Force March 6

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) announced that Gabon has deposited its instruments of ratification to the WIPO Copyright Treaty, becoming the 30th country to accede. By its terms, the treaty will enter into force 3 months after 30 countries have acceded to it, or on March 6, 2002. When the companion Performances and Phonograms Treaty also enters into force (the 30th accession is expected by the end of the year), the International Intellectual Property Alliance stated that the two treaties “will embody a new international legal standard on the protection for copyrighted works transmitted over digital networks like the Internet.”

Commerce Secretary Announces New Standard for Global Information Security

On December 4, Secretary of Commerce Evans announced approval of a new information technology encryption standard for the federal government at a meeting with members of the Business Software Alliance. The Advanced Encryption Standard, or AES, also is expected to be used widely in the private sector to protect sensitive computerized information and financial transactions, benefitting millions of consumers and businesses.

"With TPA, Everybody Wins,” Says Commerce Under Secretary

On December 6, Commerce Under Secretary for Technology Phillip J. Bond called upon all members of Congress to protect America's global competitiveness in the Information Age by supporting enactment of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). The Under Secretary stated that Congressional support for TPA is essential to U.S. technology leadership and global economic prosperity. View text of the DOC press release (no longer available)

WTO: Moore Says Doha Marks Turning Point for World Trading System

WTO Director-General Mike Moore, in a speech before the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council in Hong Kong, China on 28 November 2001, said the Doha Ministerial was “an extraordinarily successful meeting ... that will be remembered as a turning point in the history of the WTO and the trading system and in relations between developed and developing countries within that system.”

View text of Director General Moore’s speech