October 2001 News

Schedule for Next Phase of Section 201 Proceeding on Certain Steel Imports

After the ITC found that increased imports of certain steel products have caused or are threatening to cause serious injury to U.S. steel producers, on October 25, USTR announced procedures for considering whether to impose a safeguard action on certain steel products under Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974 which could include a tariff, tariff-rate quota, or quota. (links no longer available) View the report Read the transcript

USTR Promotes U.S. Farm Trade Agenda for New Round

USTR Zoellick and Chief Agriculture Negotiator Johnson outlined the central role that agriculture must play in new global trade negotiations when they met with 22 trade ministers in Singapore to prepare for the WTO Ministerial. Ambassador Zoellick stated, "President Bush has made clear that trade is a top priority for the administration and opening markets for U.S. farmers and ranchers is a top priority in our trade agenda. (links no longer available) View the report Read the transcript

TCC Links to Reciprocal Defense Procurement MOUs

The Trade Compliance Center has established a link on its "Trade and Government Sites (offsite link)" webpage to the Department of Defense's Reciprocal Defense Procurement Memoranda of Understanding. Linking the MOUs to TCC On-Line will provide visitors with information about foreign defense procurement.

View the Reciprocal Defense Procurement Memoranda of Understanding

U.S. Wins WTO Antidumping Case on High Fructose Corn Syrup

On October 22, the WTO Appellate Body affirmed a WTO panel's conclusion that Mexico's imposition of antidumping duties on imports of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) from the United States is inconsistent with the requirements of the WTO Antidumping Agreement. USTR noted that the Appellate Body's decision is an important win for U.S. agriculture and demonstrates the value of the WTO to U.S. agricultural interests. (links no longer available) View report Read Transcript

APEC Leaders Commit to WTO Ministerial Meeting

On October 21, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders stated they are "determined" to revive the global economy by fighting protectionism and committing to the launch of new global trade talks at the November Doha Ministerial Meeting.

View press release

WTO Intends to Hold Ministerial at Doha

On October 22, WTO Director General Moore voiced satisfaction with the planning and preparations for the Doha Ministerial, and said that the upcoming meeting would be held in Qatar. View Press Release (link no longer available)

New U.S.-Japan Forum to Address Bilateral Automotive Issues

On October 18, Commerce Secretary Evans and USTR Zoellick announced the creation of a new consultative group designed to improve American access to the domestic Japanese automotive market and Japanese auto plants in the United States. Secretary Evans stated, "The Automotive Consultative Group represents a major step forward in our goal of resolving trade, regulatory and competition policy issues in this industry. I welcome the willingness of the Japanese Government to continue to address issues of concern to the United States in the automotive sector." View the DOC press release (no longer available)

USTR Extends Section 301 Investigation on Canadian Wheat

On October 16, USTR Zoellick announced that he was granting the request of the North Dakota Wheat Commission to extend the ongoing investigation of Canadian wheat marketing practices by 90 days. View the USTR press release (no longer available)

United States Presents Wide-Ranging Reform Proposals to Japan

On October 14, USTR presented to Japan wide-ranging reform recommendations designed to further deregulate the economy, bolster competition, and open markets in Japan. The United States is providing these recommendations as part of the Regulatory Reform and Competition Policy Initiative (the Regulatory Reform Initiative). PDF (no longer available)

United States to Appeal WTO Ruling on FSC/ETI Tax Law

On October 10, USTR announced that the United States will appeal a WTO ruling on a provision of U.S. tax law that permits U.S. firms to exclude their foreign source income from taxation. The U.S. Government has argued that the legislation is WTO-compliant and similar to European tax laws. View USTR press release(no longer available)

Export Alert! Notifies U.S. Businesses on Proposed Foreign Technical Regulations

A new free service - Export Alert! - available from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), serves as an early warning system for U.S. exporters of proposed foreign technical regulations. By registering for this service, subscribers will receive automatic e-mails of WTO notifications under the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade. The TCC will not add new WTO Technical Standards Notifications to the TCC Market Monitor webpage after October 5. An archive of WTO notifications from October 1999 to October 5, 2001 will be available on the TCC website through the end of 2001.

View the Export Alert!

President Signs Implementing Legislation for Jordan Free Trade Agreement

On September 30, President Bush signed legislation to implement the Jordan Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is the third U.S. FTA and the first such agreement with an Arab country. The agreement will become effective on January 1, 2002.

View statement by Presidential Press Secretary

View overview of U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement