September 2002 News

USTR Cites WTO Panel Split Ruling on Canada Lumber Case

On September 27, USTR issued a press release regarding a WTO dispute-settlement panel decision in a Canadian challenge to U.S. countervailing duties imposed to offset subsidies on softwood lumber imports from Canada. USTR said the panel upheld the key U.S. argument that Canadian provincial government sale of public lands timber to Canadian lumber producers amounted to an illegal subsidy. The ruling also found in favor of the U.S. procedure for calculating a country-wide subsidy rate instead of company-specific rates because of the large number of companies, USTR said. View the USTR press release(No longer available)

African Growth and Opportunity Act Implementation

View the text of a Federal Register notice regarding USTR's request for written public comments for the annual review of the eligibility of sub-Saharan countries to receive the benefits of the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The deadline for public comments is noon on October 14, 2002.

Mexico: Proposed Standards (for September 3 to September 13, 2002)

View recently proposed and enacted Mexican Government standards

US 'Dictates' India On Coke Divestment

Did the Indian Government succumb to the pressure tactics of the US Government in waiving the mandatory public listing of Coca-Cola in India by way of an IPO (initial public offering) and agreeing to a private placement by the soft drink company?

Read the Financial Times Business Line Article

Tax Dispute With Foreign Firms Threatens Ecuador's Oil Output

Unless resolved soon, a tax dispute between Ecuador's government and foreign oil firms may shrink crude output in the oil-dependent Andean country and hamper its economy by delaying projected flows through the new heavy crude OCP pipeline when it comes into operation next year.

Read the News Item

"Yes, we are cowboys!"

Despite increased agricultural subsidies and increased steel tariffs, Americans are bona-fide supporters of free trade, according to Assistant Secretary William Lash. All the Bush government is trying to do is to force its partners to the negotiation table.

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China Trade with U.S., Other Countries: 1995-June 2002

The Commerce Department's Trade Compliance Center has just released a short report titled, "China Trade, 1995-June 2002." This report discusses China's exports, imports, and trade shares since 1995, with greater emplasis upon trade with the United States. The report utilizes official Chinese trade data and presents five data tables.

USITC Investigation of Impact of Five Trade Agreements Enacted Over Last 25 Years

View the text of a U.S. International Trade Commission notice that it has initiated of the economic impact on the United States of five trade agreements enacted over the last 25 years.

Central America: Probable Impact of Free Trade Agreement

View the text of a U.S. International Trade Commission notice that it is seeking input for a newly initiated investigation into the probable economic effect of a U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement.

Morocco: Probable Impact of Free Trade Agreement

View the text of a U.S. International Trade Commission notice that it is seeking input for a newly initiated investigation into the probable economic effect of a U.S.-Morocco Free Trade agreement.

Commerce Secretary Evans Releases First Textile Working Group Report to Congress

On September 18, the Commerce Department released the first Textile Working Group report, which outlines the Administration's accomplishments in improving U.S. textile industry conditions, to the Congressional textile caucus. Commerce Secretary Evans said that the report is the first step toward fulfilling the Administration's commitment to the U.S. textile industry and its workers. The Textile Working Group was introduced by Secretary Evans in January 2002, when he outlined steps the Administration would take to ensure that textile and apparel industry concerns were addressed. View Commerce press release on Textile Working Group report (no longer available) Read the Textile Working Group report (no longer available)

Request for Comments: Market Access in the Doha Development Agenda

Request for Comments and Notice of Public Hearing Concerning Market Access in the Doha Development Agenda Negotiations in the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Read the Federal Register Notice

Commerce Secretary Evans to Lead U.S. Executives to Peru and Chile

Following a September 13 meeting with Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo, Commerce Secretary Don Evans announced he will lead a delegation of U.S. business executives to Peru and Chile in early December. Evans will lead the mission as part of an agreement President Bush and President Toledo made during a visit to Peru in March. Read the Complete News Item (no longer available)

USTR Zoellick Discusses FTAA Issues with Caribbean Trade Ministers

View text of USIS article regarding USTR Zoellick's September 11 meeting with Caribbean trade ministers in Trinidad and Tobago to discuss the participation of the smaller island economies in the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) negotiating process.

U.S. Proposes to Eliminate Steel Subsidies Globally

A proposal U.S. negotiators are presenting on September 12 at a working-level round of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) talks in Paris would eliminate practically all subsidies and other forms of official support for the steel sector worldwide in order to reduce global steel overcapacity.

Read the Complete News Item

Trade Disputes Test Commerce Assistant Secretary Lash's Persuasive Skills

View the text of a Miami Herald article regarding Commerce Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance William Lash's efforts to secure foreign compliance with trade agreements negotiated with the U.S. Mr. Lash is visiting Peru and Ecuador September 9-12 to discuss market access problems U.S. firms are experiencing in those countries.

Commerce Secretary Evans' Remarks at U.S.-Ireland Business Summit

During his remarks at the September 5 U.S.-Ireland Business Summit, Commerce Secretary Donald Evans told U.S. and Irish business leaders that the promise of settlement and reconciliation in Northern Ireland offers great economic possibilities because it would open the door to additional investment and cross-border trade. View text of Secretary Evans' remarks (no longer available)

Commerce Assistant Secretary Lash Says U.S. Taking Actions to Enforce Trade Agreements

On September 5, Commerce Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance William Lash told a Heritage Foundation gathering that his office is stepping up activity to enforce compliance by foreign countries with trade agreements made with the U.S. He said that since he started his job a year ago, his office has increased its active caseload by more than 300 percent and the number of cases closed by more than 50 percent. "No country is off-limits, no US company is too small to be fought for, no market is sacrosanct," stated Mr. Lash.

View text of Mr. Lash's remarks

Mexico: Proposed Standards (for August 19 to August 30, 2002)

View recently proposed and enacted Mexican Government standards