August 2002 News

Russia and U.S. Resolve Poultry Dispute

View the press release (no longer available) from Commerce Secretary Evans, Agriculture Secretary Veneman and USTR Zoellick regarding resolution of the trade dispute over U.S. poultry exports to Russia. Secretary Evans commented, "This agreement moves the United States and Russia one step closer towards realizing our common goals of greater economic partnership and expanded trade between our two countries."

Text: U.S. Trade Representative’s Letter to Congress on Central America

On August 22, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Zoellick sent letters to congressional leaders as a signal of the Bush Administration's "intent to move forward on specific trade agreements," according to a press release issued by the USTR. Read the text of the USTR press release, including the text of Zoellick's letter to members of Congress, concerning U.S. trade negotiations with Central America.

Text: Administration to Proceed on Chile, Singapore Trade Pacts

On August 22, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Zoellick sent letters to congressional leaders as a signal of the Bush Administration's "intent to move forward on specific trade agreements," according to a press release issued by the USTR. Read the text of the USTR press release, including the text of Zoellick's letter to members of Congress, concerning U.S. trade negotiations with Chile and Singapore.

Mexican Income Tax Reform May Discriminate Against Small Retailers and Distributors

On January 1, Mexico published a reform to its Income Tax Law. This law precludes small companies that sell imported products from qualifying as "small contributors" for tax purposes, even if they meet the required annual income to qualify (approximately less than US$150,000/yr). These companies are now forced to be categorized as "medium contributors" with an annual income not to exceed US$400,000. The Commerce Department has received reports that tax implications for small Mexican companies have resulted in lost accounts for U.S. firms. Companies with specific questions or concerns regarding this matter should contact Geri Word at the Commerce Department’s Office of NAFTA and Inter-American Affairs at (202) 482-1545 or geri_word@ita.doc.gov.

Moroccan Parliament Passes New Insurance Code

On August 14 Morocco's upper house, the Chamber of Counselors, approved a new insurance code. The new code abolishes Article 172, which had limited both foreign and domestic firms to 50 percent ownership in Moroccan insurance companies. The new code now goes to King Mohammed VI for signature, and will then be published in Morocco's official gazette, whereupon it goes into effect.

Assistant Secretary of Commerce Visits Hickory, NC.

On August 14th, William Lash, Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance, visited Hickory, NC by invitation of U.S. Rep. Cass Ballenger to meet with business leaders concerned about illegal textile transshipment, a key issue to many local companies.

Mexico: Proposed Standards (for August 5 to August 16, 2002)

View recently proposed and enacted Mexican Government standards

Trade Bill Sparks Calls For WTO Talks, Zoellick Says

On August 14th, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick said that since the trade promotion authority (TPA) was signed into law on August 6th, he has received messages from around the world saying the measure gives impetus to a round of global trade negotiations in the World Trade Organization (WTO). Trade is the best poverty reduction strategy and one that fosters democracy and rule of law, Zoellick said.

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United States Proposes Greater Openness for WTO Disputes

On August 9th, the United States submitted a proposal to expand transparency and public access to World Trade Organization dispute settlement proceedings. The proposal would open WTO dispute settlement proceedings to the public for the first time and give greater public access to briefs and panel reports. The United States submitted the proposal in connection with the ongoing Doha Agenda negotiations taking place in Geneva to improve and clarify WTO dispute settlement rules. Read the USTR Press Release(No longer available)

Invitation to Businesses to Participate in the 2002 Americas Business Forum

Business organizations have been invited to participate in and submit papers to the Seventh Americas Business Forum to be held in Quito, Ecuador on October 30-November 1. The Americas Business Forum will be held immediately preceding the FTAA Ministerial and is expected to attract senior business leaders from every hemispheric country. The Forum will include workshops on the nine FTAA negotiating groups (market access, agriculture, investment, services, government procurement, intellectual property, antidumping/countervailing/subsidies, competition policy, dispute settlement), as well as smaller economies, electronic commerce and civil society. Recommendations developed at the Forum will be presented to the FTAA Trade Ministers and their governments at the FTAA Ministerial. The deadline for submitting papers is August 30, 2002. For more information on registration visit the website at www.abfecuador2002.com (no longer available). View text of invitation (no longer available)

Lash: Colombia May Lose ATPA Tariff Relief On TermoRio

Colombia may be excluded from a recently renewed regional trade deal with the U.S. after a Colombian court used a technicality to annul a $60 million arbitration ruling that involved a U.S. company. "I can't comment on what the final decision will be, but this case calls it into question," William Lash, the U.S. assistant secretary of commerce for market access and compliance, told Dow Jones Newswires in a telephone interview.

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Morocco Abolishes Reference Prices

Morocco abolished reference prices on August 1. The Moroccan Government eliminated reference prices despite strong opposition from the domestic textile, vehicle assembly, and large appliance industries. By taking this step, Morocco has shown commitment to its WTO obligations, since use of reference prices is not permissible under the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation.

President Signs Trade Negotiating Authority Bill

In an August 6th White House ceremony, President Bush signed into law the Trade Negotiating Authority Bill, legislation giving him powerful authority to negotiate trade agreements and extending the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA).

Read the Press Release and Transcript

Mexico: Proposed Standards (for July 22 to August 2, 2002)

View recently proposed and enacted Mexican Government standards

Secretary Evans Statement on Senate Passage of Trade Promotion Authority

Read Secretary Evans' Statement (no longer available)