May 2002 News

NIST Information Guides on European Directives

The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has published guides explaining CE mark requirements in major product sectors to U.S. exporters. The CE mark covers health and safety requirements that products must meet in order to be sold in Europe. It is estimated that about half of all U.S. merchandise exports to the EU are covered by CE mark directives. The CE mark directives that affect the greatest dollar value of U.S. exports are the Machine Directive, the Low Voltage Directive, the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive, and the Medical Device Directive. For information on the CE mark, please contact Bob Straetz of ITA's Office of European Union and Regional Affairs at 202-482-4496.

View NIST Information Guides on European Directives

Nicaragua Approves WIPO "Internet Treaties"

Nicaragua's National Assembly has approved the World Intellectual Property Organization's (WIPO) "Internet treaties"--the Copyright Treaty and Performances and Phonograms Treaty. While the Ministry of Development, Industry and Trade stated that the treaties will not appear in the federal register until they have been processed by the Office of the President, the ministry said that this is merely a technicality, and expects the official notification to occur in the next 15 days.

Secretary Evans Statement on Senate Passage of the TPA

On May 23, Commerce Secretary Don Evans released a statement following the passage of Trade Promotion Authority by the United States Senate. Read Secretary Evans' Statement (no longer available)

USTR Releases the 2002 African Growth and Opportunity Act Report

On May 20, USTR released the 2001 Comprehensive Report of the President on U.S. Trade and Investment Policy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa and Implementation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act Read the Report (no longer available)

Commerce Department Announces $2 Million In Grants to Help Businesses Expand Exports

The Commerce Department has announced that non-profit export multipliers such as local development agencies, small business development centers and trade associations can now apply for Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) awards worth $2 million.

Read the ITA Press Release

WTO Approves Dates for Fifth Ministerial Conference

During their May 13-14 meeting, the WTO General Council decided to hold the Fifth Ministerial Conference in Cancun, Mexico from September 10 to 14, 2003.

Commerce Secretary Evans Presents the First National Export Strategy to Congress

On May 15, 2002, Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans, testifying before the House International Relations Committee, presented the administration's first National Export Strategy containing 60 recommendations to support U.S. exporters.

President Bush Proclaims "World Trade Week"

On May 17, President Bush issued a proclamation establishing May 19 through May 25, 2002, as "World Trade Week".

Read the Presidential Proclamation

Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Affirms Free Trade Goals

In May 16 remarks to delegates at the OECD Ministerial meeting in Paris, Deputy USTR Allgeier stated that the United States aims to move aggressively to meet interim deadlines for trade negotiations launched at the Doha WTO ministerial. Allgeier emphasized the need to maintain momentum for the Doha negotiations and said the WTO ministerial scheduled for September 2003 in Mexico should, among other goals, focus on setting a common agenda for technical assistance and capacity building for developing countries and a strategy for delivering that assistance.

View USIS news item

OECD Urges Free Trade Agenda

Ministers representing the 30 most advanced market economies wrapped up a two-day meeting in Paris expressing optimism over the global economic recovery and cautioning against protectionism. In their communiqué, members said they shared responsibility for the implementation of the Doha agenda and the successive conclusion of new trade negotiations by the agreed January 1, 2005 deadline. They underlined their commitment to relieving tensions in the world steel sector, "which have caused concerns" in the multilateral trading sector. On another issue, the ministers said that better corporate and financial governance was necessary to cope with financial crimes.

View text of USIS article (includes text of OECD Ministerial Communique)

Mexico: Proposed Standards (April 29 to May 10, 2002)

View recently proposed and enacted Mexican Government standards

United States Files WTO Case Against Japan Over Unfair Restrictions on U.S. Apples

On May 10, the United States announced that it is initiating a WTO dispute settlement case against Japan for unfairly restricting imports of U.S. apples. Joint U.S.-Japanese scientific research has demonstrated that the apples are free of fire blight, a plant bacterial disease that Japan claims is the basis of its plant restrictions on U.S. imports. In pursuing a case at the WTO, the United States will argue that Japan is violating international trade rules by blocking American apples without any scientific or health basis. View USTR press release(No longer available)

Japan: Under Secretary of State Larson Comments on Foreign Direct Investment

On May 8, Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs Alan Larson noted at a press conference that Japan has recently made "some significant improvements" in its investment rules and regulations. Larson was in Tokyo heading a U.S. delegation to explore ways to boost Japan's historically low levels of foreign investment. Larson said the U.S. believes that "...in Japan, where historically levels of foreign direct investment have been very low... investment can bring very important benefits in facilitating the restructuring of the Japanese economy." The two sides are examining how to facilitate a larger number of mergers and acquisitions between U.S. and Japanese firms in order to make even further progress on investment.

View transcript of Larson press conference

Mexico Publishes NOMs for Comments, Modifications and Revisions

On May 6, 2002, the Government of Mexico published in the Federal Gazette a list of 362 mandatory standards (NOMs) for comments, revisions, and modifications. Compliance with NOMs is a requirement to import products into Mexico. The GOM seeks comments on the technical content of the NOMs as well as their usefulness. Commenting parties can be part of the working groups analyzing the NOMs to decide whether to ratify, modify, or cancel the mandatory standard. Comments should be submitted directly to the consultative committee responsible for the NOM and identified in the May 6, 2002 document. Comments in Spanish must be submitted in writing within for the next 60 calendar days to the corresponding Consultative Committee responsible for each standard. In addition, please send a courtesy copy of your comments to NIST's Standards Information Center at ncsci@nist.gov Interested parties may obtain a copies of any of the 362 NOMs in Spanish from the web site of the Direccion General de Normas (DGN) [General Directorate for Standards] of the Secretariat of the Economy. The web page address is www.economia-normas.gob.mx. Once at the web site go to the "Catalogo de Normas" section. Within this section go to the "Catalogo de Normas Oficiales Mexicanas" to search for the specific NOMs of interest.

India: Commerce Assistant Secretary Lash Seeks Greater Access for U.S. Textiles

During a May 7 meeting with representatives of the Indian Ministry of Textiles and Ministry of Finance, Commerce Assistance Secretary for Market Access and Compliance William Lash voiced serious concerns that foreign textiles are being unfairly excluded from the Indian market. Lash noted that high tariffs, along with additional import taxes and charges, are only the first level of protectionism; subsidies, onerous dye-testing standards, and marking and labeling requirements prevent fair competition between domestic and imported textiles. Mr. Lash visited India to discuss market access and WTO compliance issues with Indian government officials.

Senegal Products Qualify for AGOA Benefits

In a May 1, 2002 Federal Register Notice, USTR announced that imports from Senegal now qualify for the textile and apparel benefits provided under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

View the Federal Register notice