January 2001 News

Invitation for Comments: Countries Denying Adequate and Effective Intellectual Property Protection and Enforcement

USTR is inviting public comments concerning countries which may be denying adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) or denying fair and equitable market access to U.S. persons who rely on IPR protection. View the FR notice in TEXT or PDF (off site links)

US: Summaries of FTAA Negotiating Positions

On January 17, USTR released summaries of the U.S. positions in the negotiations for a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). The summaries cover each of the nine FTAA negotiating groups, as well as papers on labor and the environment. The summaries (no longer available) are listed on the linked page under "View summaries of U.S. Negotiating Positions in the FTAA".

US: USDOC Report on Runaway Film Production

A January 18, 2001 report issued by then-Secretary of Commerce Mineta stated that "runaway film production" is seriously impacting U.S. film and television production, especially in made-for-television movies. View press release or download the report.

NAFTA: Third Round of Accelerated Tariff Cuts

The U.S., Canada and Mexico have completed a third round of accelerated tariff cuts under the North American Free Trade Agreement, eliminating duties on products worth approximately $867 million in annual trade among the three parties two years earlier than scheduled. View the USTR press release (no longer available) on NAFTA tariff acceleration (Go to the related TCC news item of Dec. 28, 2000, NAFTA Tariff Acceleration Exercise)

Slovakia: Elimination of Balance-of-Payments Restriction

On June 1, 1999 Slovakia instituted a 7 percent ad valorem tariff surcharge on approximately 70 percent of imports. This restriction was phased down to 5 percent on January 1, 2000, to 3 percent on July 1, 2000, and ultimately phased out on December 31, 2000.

Indonesia: Import Duties Cut

Antara News Service reported January 12 that the Indonesian Government (GOI) has reduced import duties on products in 1,279 tariff categories by 5 percentage points. Among the products affected by the cuts are chemicals, textiles, steel and household goods. In June 2000, the GOI cut import duties on goods in 672 tariff categories.

Mexico: Proposed Standards (December 21, 2000 to January 12, 2001)

EU-US: Implementation of Telecommunications, EMC Sectoral Annexes

On January 17, the U.S. and the EU implemented Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) sectoral annexes that reduce barriers to nearly $30 billion in annual transatlantic trade of telecommunications and electronic products by eliminating duplicative product-testing requirements. Full implementation follows a successful two-year confidence-building period, and EU and U.S. regulators will now recognize certificates issued by designated European and U.S. product-testing labs that the equipment they have examined meets EU and U.S. requirements, respectively. This action does away with duplicative assessments for nearly all telecommunications and electronic products by allowing U.S. firms to export products to the EU without further testing and certification. Implementation of the MRA recognizes U.S. (33) and EU (32) Conformity Assessment Bodies (CAB's) as competent to test and certify equipment under the two annexes, with additional CAB's to be added in the future.

Pakistan: New Anti-Dumping Law

On schedule with Pakistan's standby agreement with the IMF, the GOP enacted a new anti-dumping law on December 22. The ordinance provides for the determination of dumping and injury to domestic industry, the initiation and conduct of anti-dumping investigations, the use of provisional measures, and the imposition and collection of anti-dumping duties. The intent of the law is to introduce transparency and predictability in the trade process and to protect domestic industry from the negative effects of dumping.

Georgia: Proclamation of Unconditional Normal Trade Relations

On December 29, 2000, the President proclaimed that the Republic of Georgia was no longer subject to title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 ("Jackson-Vanik Amendment) and that products of the Republic of Georgia would now receive Unconditional Normal Trade Relations (NTR) tariff treatment. As a consequence, the United States is now prepared to establish WTO relations with that country. Georgia acceded to the WTO on June 14, 2000.

Korea: 2001 Applied Tariff Schedule for Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Products

On January 1, 2001, Korea implemented the year 2001 applied tariff schedule for 88 products, 52 of which are agricultural, forestry and fishery related products. The applied tariff schedule is divided into the quota tariff schedule and the adjustment tariff schedule. Notable changes in the 2001 quota tariff schedule include: the re-establishment of quota tariff lines for cigarettes and other manufactured tobacco products and the establishment of a separate quota for processing grade maize (one million metric tons at one percent tariff). Notable changes in the 2001 adjustment tariff schedule include: the applied rate for croakers is set at 70 percent (down from 80 percent); and the applied rate is lowered on 10 categories. Read the full tariff schedule (no longer available)

Mexico: Proposed Standards

Middle East: GCC Patent Office to Issue First Patents

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Patent Office expects to issue its first patent certificates in early 2001. GCC patent certificates are valid in all six GCC member states. The GCC patent office claims it has made significant changes to the GCC patent law in order to bring it in line with international standards. The GCC patent office is currently working closely with several European countries and Australia on training for GCC examiners and examination of patent applications. The GCC and the U.S. have held discussions on appropriate United States Government technical assistance efforts.