June 2002 News

Fourth Annual Report to Congress on Implementation of the OECD Antibribery Convention Released

On June 28, Commerce Secretary Don Evans released the fourth annual report to Congress on implementation of the OECD Antibribery Convention. The July 2002 report on implementation of the OECD Antibribery Convention is the fourth of six annual reports that the Department of Commerce was mandated to submit to Congress under the International Antibribery and Fair Competition Act (IAFCA) of 1998. Read the DOC Press Release Go to the 2002 Antibribery Report

U.S., Bahrain Sign Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement

On June 18, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick signed a bilateral agreement in Washington intended to expand trade and investment between the two countries. "Americans want to improve their access to Bahrain's markets and increased trade will help Bahrain grow economically while laying the foundation for a greater diversification of its economy," Zoellick said in a press release.

Read the complete press release

Evans Emphasizes Importance of Trade During Mission to Mexico

In a June 18 address before the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico City, Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans emphasized the importance of global free trade and continued close economic cooperation between the United States and Mexico. "Free markets and free enterprise are the keys to unlocking social, political and economic potential around the world," said Evans. Read the full text (no longer available)

US Criticizes Ghana's Investment Drive

On June 17, US Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance William Lash said in spite of its professed liberal economic policies the Kufuor administration of Ghana still has some major obstacles to clear to be able to attract foreign direct investment.

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Mexico: Proposed Standards (June 10 to June 21, 2002)

View recently proposed and enacted Mexican Government standards

Deputy Secretary Bodman's Remarks to U.S.-India Business Council Meeting

Read text of remarks (no longer available) given by Deputy Secretary of Commerce Samuel Bodman to the U.S.-India Business Council's Annual Meeting on June 17.

Request for Comments: WTO Dispute Settlement on Japanese Measures Affecting the Importation of Apples

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice that on June 3, 2002, at the request of the United States, the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) established a dispute settlement panel to examine measures imposed by Japan restricting the importation of U.S. apples in connection with fire blight or the fire blight disease-causing organism, Erwinia amylovora. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.

Read the Federal Register Notice

USTR Says WTO Rejects Canadian Challenge to U.S. Law

On June 12, USTR confirmed that a WTO panel upheld a U.S. law establishing the time frame for implementing WTO rulings in antidumping and countervailing duty cases. USTR stated that the WTO rejected a challenge from Canada, which argued that the U.S. law violated WTO rules. USTR said that the case was part of Canada's broader strategy of contesting U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty orders on softwood lumber.

View USIS news item

WTO May Encourage Rule of Law in China, Aldonas Says

On June 6, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Grant D. Aldonas said in testimony before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China that China's membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) may help encourage the rule of law in China. "While we should not oversell the ability of the WTO, in and of itself, to foster fundamental change in China, we should not, at the same time, overlook or devalue the positive contribution China's adherence to the WTO can make" Aldonas said, "In adhering faithfully to the WTO, the Chinese government will, in the process, set a profound example for its own citizens about the benefits that flow from honoring the law."

Read the complete text of Under Secretary Aldonas' testimony

Secretary Evans' Remarks to U.S.-China Business Council

Read highlights of remarks (no longer available) prepared for delivery by Commerce Secretary Donald Evans to the U.S.-China Business Council on June 6, 2002.

Mexico: Proposed Standards (May 27 to June 7, 2002)

View recently proposed and enacted Mexican Government standards

Commerce Secretary Evans' Statement on Russia's Transition to a Market Economy

On June 6, Commerce Secretary Donald Evans congratulated Russia for their designation by the Commerce Department as a market economy under U.S. law. View text of USDOC press release (no longer available) View Fact Sheet: Russian Transition to Market Economy Status Under U.S. Trade Remedy Laws

U.S. Proposes Elimination of Ag Export Subsidies Over Five Years

The United States has put forward a proposal at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to eliminate agricultural export subsidies over five years following conclusion of the ongoing Doha negotiations.

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Commerce Secretary Launches National Grassroots Tour To Talk Up Trade

On June 5th U.S. Commerce Secretary Don Evans launched a nationwide grassroots initiative aimed at educating the American people on the benefits of international trade to the U.S. economy. Read the press release (no longer available)

USTR Zoellick's Comments on APEC Support for Doha Development Agenda

Following the May 29-30 APEC Trade Ministers' meeting in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, USTR Zoellick noted the Ministers' strong support for the Doha Development Agenda by committing to meet all deadlines in order to successfully complete negotiations by January 2005, and by undertaking targeted capacity building and technical assistance to help developing countries participate fully. At the meeting, the Ministers agreed that modalities for non-agricultural market access negotiations will be established by April 30, 2003; they will encourage all WTO members to support this commitment. Ambassador Zoellick stated that the USG will continue to push for ambitious agricultural liberalization and reform on a global level, and is committed to all three agriculture pillars in the Doha declaration. He also welcomed APEC support for U.S. proposals to implement the Shanghai Accord on transparency, trade facilitation, and trade policies to advance the new economy. View USTR press release (no longer available) View APEC trade ministers' statement (no longer available)