December 2002 News

U.S. Interim Plan to Help Poor Countries Fight HIV/AIDS and other Health Crises in Absence of WTO Consensus

The U.S. announced an immediate practical solution to allow African and other developing countries to gain greater access to pharmaceuticals and HIV/AIDS test kits when facing public health crises. The U.S. pledged to permit these countries to override patents on drugs produced outside their countries in order to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other types of infectious epidemics, including those that may arise in the future. (links no longer available) View text of the USTR press release PDF version

U.S. Wins in WTO Challenge to Canadian Dairy Subsidies

On December 20, the U.S. won an important victory when a WTO Appellate Body decided that Canada continues to provide illegal subsidies to its dairy industry, even after revising its practices due to previous losses. This is the second time the WTO has decided against Canada's illegal dairy export subsidies. USTR Zoellick hailed the decision, stating that, “The Appellate Body's decision resolves this longstanding dispute and establishes an important precedent regarding what constitutes an export subsidy. Canada now needs to comply with its WTO obligations and end its unfair subsidies." View text of USTR press release (no longer available)

India: Assistant Secretary Lash Calls for Accelerated Economic Reforms

In a report on Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance William Lash’s India visit, on December 18 the Press Trust of India quoted Mr. Lash as stating that India-US trade could increase by a further $38 billion by 2015 if New Delhi accelerated its economic reforms to match U.S. reforms. Stating that U.S tariffs on exports from India are expected to be phased out at least on 85 per cent of Indian products by 2015, Assistant Secretary Lash said India should also reciprocate by reducing its tariffs in line with WTO stipulations. Mr. Lash said Indian exports to the U.S. currently stood at $14 billion, while Indian imports from the U.S. stood at $3.5 billion.

View the text of the India Press Trust report

Singapore: Facts on Free Trade Agreement with U.S.

View the text (no longer available) of USTR’s trade facts on the Singapore-U.S. Free Trade Agreement.

U.S. Hails Outcome of OECD Steel Meetings

On December 19, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Grant Aldonas and senior government officials from major steel producing economies agreed to formally launch talks to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, government subsidies that have distorted the global steel market for decades. The agreement was reached during the Fifth High-Level Meeting on Steel at the OECD in Paris. Mr. Aldonas said that this step "represents...a political commitment made by the world's major steel producing nations to reach a subsidies agreement on steel."

View text of the ITA press release

View Joint Statement of NAFTA Governments on Commitment to Address Steel Market Distorting Practices

U.S. to Push for OECD Talks on Steel Subsidies

Commerce Under Secretary for International Trade Grant Aldonas said December 16 that the U.S. will try to use this week's meeting of an OECD steel group to secure a political commitment to start negotiations on the elimination of trade-distorting practices in the global steel industry. Mr. Aldonas said that the Administration will seek support of major steel-producing countries participating in the High-Level Steel Group meeting December 18-19 in Paris for steps leading to talks on a "framework" for an international agreement to eliminate most forms of government subsidies to steel companies.

View the complete news item

Brunei Darussalam and U.S. Sign Trade and Investment Framework Agreement

On December 16, Brunei Darussalam and the U.S. signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) to enhance trade and investment between the two countries. Under the Enterprise for ASEAN Initiative (EAI), the U.S. offered the prospect of bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) with ASEAN countries that are committed to the economic reforms and openness inherent in an FTA. In addition to the TIFA signed with Brunei Darussalam, within ASEAN the U.S. has TIFAs with Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. View USTR press release (no longer available)

U.S. Proposes Flexibility Reforms in WTO Dispute Settlement

On December 16 the U.S., joined by Chile, submitted a proposal to help improve the effectiveness of the WTO dispute settlement system in resolving trade disputes among WTO members. The proposal is particularly aimed at giving parties to a dispute more control over the process and greater flexibility to settle disputes. The U.S. submitted the proposal in connection with the ongoing Doha Agenda negotiations to improve and clarify WTO dispute settlement rules. View USTR press release (no longer available)

Mexico: Proposed Standards (for December 9 to December 16, 2002)

View recently proposed and enacted Mexican Government standards

China: USTR Report on WTO Compliance

According to a USTR report to Congress, China has made "significant progress" in fulfilling its obligations as a new WTO member, "although much is left to do." The report noted that compliance problems often stem from "a lack of effective or uniform application of China's WTO commitments at local and provincial levels." USTR found four areas which warrant "continued U.S. scrutiny"–transparency, agriculture, intellectual property rights, and services. (links no longer available) View the complete news item View the complete text of the USTR report (pdf)

WTO Approves Armenia's Bid for Membership

On December 10, the WTO General Council approved Armenia’s accession package, concluding the negotiation process that began in 1993 and clearing the way for Armenia's membership in the WTO. The Protocol of Accession must now be ratified in Armenia's parliament; 30 days after the Secretariat receives official notification of this ratification, Armenia will become a WTO member.

View text of report (includes WTO press release)

Chile and U.S. Conclude Historic Free Trade Agreement

On December 11, the U.S. and Chile reached agreement on a Free Trade Agreement–the first comprehensive trade agreement between the U.S. and a South American country. USTR Robert Zoellick and Chilean Foreign Minister Soledad Alvear said they expect to sign the Agreement and submit it to their Congresses for approval next year. Both ministers expect this Agreement will encourage progress on negotiations of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), to meet its goal of completion by 2005, as well as the ongoing global trade negotiations. (links no longer available) View text of USTR press release View summary of agreement View document on benefits of agreement

China: U.S. Wire Hanger Producers Request Safeguards

U.S. wire hanger producers have asked the U.S. International Trade Commission to find that imports of wire hangers from China are increasing to the extent that they are causing market disruption and injury to the U.S. industry. The Commission has scheduled a hearing in connection with this investigation beginning at 9:30 a.m. on January 9, 2003, at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building. Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed in writing with the Secretary to the Commission on or before January 2, 2003. All persons desiring to appear at the hearing and make oral presentations should attend a prehearing conference to be held at 9:30 a.m. on January 6, 2003 at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building. View the text of the USITC announcement (pdf) (no longer available)

WTO Upholds U.S. Provisions Against Unfair Steel Subsidies

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced November 28 that the WTO’s Appellate Body has rejected a challenge by the EU and upheld key provisions of a U.S. trade law that provides a remedy against unfairly subsidized imports. The case involved subsidized steel from Germany. USTR Zoellick said the WTO decision was a victory not only for the U.S., but for the multilateral trading system.

View the complete text of the report

Uzbekistan: Commerce Assistant Secretary Lash’s Visit

On November 19-20, Commerce Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance William Lash visited Uzbekistan. Below please find links to media reports on the results of his visit, as well as links to the text of a statement by Mr. Lash and the transcript of his press conference. US Assistant Secretary of Commerce holds talks with Uzbek ministers USA urges Uzbekistan to speed up economic reform Uzbekistan vows to move to single currency, cut import duties US trade official wraps up "fruitful" visit to Uzbekistan Statement by Assistant Secretary Lash in Uzbekistan Transcript of Lash Press Conference