November 2001 News

China Agrees to Accept U.S. Soybean Certification

On November 27, China's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation provided the American Embassy in Beijing with a letter stating that Chinese quarantine authorities will accept a U.S. safety certification for genetically-modified U.S. soybean exports until implementing regulations for China's new biotech rules are published. Earlier, uncertainty about the acceptance of U.S. genetically-modified soybeans had essentially halted U.S. soybean shipments to China. A number of senior Commerce Department officials, including Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance William Lash during his late-August visit to Beijing, have raised the Department's concerns with timely clearance of U.S. soybean shipments.

Taiwan: Review of New Optical Media Law

Taiwan's legislature recently passed an optical media management law, in response to the U.S. Special 301 process. The vice-minister of economic affairs noted that the bill would not have been approved without having been included as part of the WTO-related bills required for Taiwan's WTO accession, even though it was not a specific WTO commitment. The bill provides for administrative penalties for the first two piracy violations, with criminal penalties applicable for the third and subsequent violations. Fines were increased, and the government has the authority to seize machinery and products. Due to the six- month transition period, it will be some time before the effectiveness of Taiwan's enforcement effort will be seen.

U.S.-Japan Private Sector/Government Commission Launched

The U.S.-Japan Private Sector/Government Commission was launched on November 20 with the publication of a notice in the Federal Register. The Commission is part of the U.S.-Japan Economic Partnership for Growth framework for trade and economic relations. The Commission will advise the U.S. and Japanese governments on selected issues. The Federal Register notice outlined how to apply to become a Commission member. Harrison Cook and Ian Clements of the Commerce Department’s Office of Japan, working with USTR, are playing key roles in the Commission's formation.

Mexico: Proposed Standards (Nov. 12-23, 2001)

View recently proposed and enacted Mexican Government standards

President Supportive of New Round of Global Trade Negotiations

President Bush commended the WTO’s decision to launch a new round of global trade negotiations, stating that it “has the potential to expand prosperity and development throughout the world and revitalize the global economy.” The President added that this action “advances the United States' agenda to liberalize world trade -- something that will benefit all Americans.”

View text of President Bush’s statement

WTO: Ministers Agree to Agenda for New Global Trade Negotiations

On November 14, the 142 members of the WTO agreed to an agenda for new global trade negotiations. USTR Zoellick, who headed the U.S. delegation, stated, "This is an important moment because we've brought together countries from all over the globe with a very strong statement on trade and growth and development." He added, "We've reached an agreement that affirms the commitment of 142 WTO members to work cooperatively to reduce the world's trade barriers. This signal of forward progress on trade gives an endorsement and very timely boost to the multilateral trading system." View USTR press release (no longer available) View USTR summary document: Results of the Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference (no longer available) View Ministerial Declaration (no longer available) View Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and public health (no longer available) View Implementation related issues and concerns--Decision (no longer available) View proposed procedures on subsidies for certain developing countries (no longer available)

China to Join WTO on December 11

China has notified the WTO that it has ratified its membership and will now become a full member, the WTOs 143rd, on December 11, 2001. It deposited its instrument of ratification with WTO Director-General Mike Moore immediately after signing the membership agreement on November 11.

View the WTO news release

U.S.: Zoellick Welcomes Ministerial Decision on China's WTO Admission

USTR Zoellick welcomed the unanimous decision of trade ministers attending the Doha Ministerial to invite China to join the World Trade Organization (WTO), thereby assuring it will become a member shortly. Mr. Zoellick stated, "China's accession to the WTO will promote openness in China, development of the rule of law, and political and economic reform." (links no longer available) View the report Read the transcript

U.S.: Zoellick Welcomes Ministerial Decision on Taiwan's Admission into WTO

USTR Zoellick welcomed the unanimous decision of trade ministers attending the Doha Ministerial to admit Taiwan into the WTO, stating that Taiwan's membership will strengthen the multilateral trading system. (links no longer available) View the report Read the transcript

Benefits of Trade Negotiations for Developing Countries

A paper released by USTR states that full participation in the global economy and trading system is a precondition for long-term growth of developing countries. The study specifies 10 ways in which global trade negotiations would benefit developing countries. In the paper, USTR cited a recent study which estimated that a new round of global trade negotiations would bring up to $190 billion more income per year for developing nations. (links no longer available) View the report Read the transcript>

WTO: Moore Says World Economy Needs Signal of Confidence from Doha

Director-General Mike Moore, at the opening of the WTO Fourth Ministerial Conference on 9 November 2001 in Doha, Qatar, said “the world economy needs the signal of confidence in open markets and commitment to international cooperation which agreements here will deliver”.

View transcript of Director General’s remarks

U.S. Remains Optimistic on Launching New Global Trade Talks

A senior U.S. trade official expressed optimism that a new round of global trade talks will be launched at the Doha WTO ministerial meeting. In his November 8 briefing, the official stated that the core of any new global negotiations must be liberalization of agricultural trade. Other U.S. priorities are: greater transparency in government procurement; liberalization of services trade; rationalization of customs procedures; expansion of developing country trade negotiating capacity; and liberalization of trade in environmental goods and services. View the State Department report and briefing transcript (no longer available)

USTR Announces Results of October 2001 "Special 301 Out-Of-Cycle" Reviews

On October 31, USTR Zoellick announced the outcome of "out-of-cycle" reviews for the adequacy and effectiveness of intellectual property protection in Malaysia, Costa Rica, and Lithuania. Malaysia was moved from the Priority Watch List to the Watch List; Costa Rica remains on the Priority Watch List; and Lithuania remains on the Watch List. (links no longer available) View the report View the transcript

USTR Zoellick Unable to Predict Outcome for Doha Ministerial

On October 30, USTR Zoellick said he could not predict whether ministers will agree to launch a new round of trade negotiations at the Doha ministerial. However, he told the Council on Foreign Relations that the U.S. Government is prepared to continue advancing trade liberalization region by region and country by country. View the State Department press release (link no longer available)