February 2003 News

Romania is One Step Closer to Market Economy Status, Says Commerce Secretary Evans

When he met with Romanian President Ion Iliescu and Prime Minister Adrian Nastase on February 27 to underscore the importance of U.S.-Romanian commercial relations, Commerce Secretary Don Evans praised Romania for its economic and commercial reforms. At a press conference, Evans said that Romania is strongly being considered as a market based economy, and that the Commerce Department will make a decision by March 10. The Secretary also announced that the Commerce Department will lead a business development mission to Romania later this year. Evans is the first U.S. Commerce Secretary in nearly 15 years to visit Romania. View text of Commerce Department press release (no longer available)

Commerce Secretary Evans Promotes Greater Economic Partnership with Central and Eastern Europe

In a February 26 press release, Commerce Secretary Don Evans announced he will travel to Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia Februay 27-March 1 at the request of President Bush to reaffirm the Administration’s commitment and support for stronger economic and commercial ties, and to strengthen trade and investment between the nations. Secretary Evans stated, “Trade is key to promoting political and economic stability. Stronger economic ties between the U.S. and Central and Eastern Europe will promote economic growth, increased innovation, greater productivity and a better quality of life for all of our people.” He will meet with high-level government officials to explore ways the U.S. can help build their economies and increase U.S. commercial activity in these markets. View text of Commerce Department press release (no longer available)

Request for Public Comment Regarding Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act Beneficiary Countries

View the text of a Federal Register notice issued by USTR requesting the views of interested parties on whether the countries designated as Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA) Beneficiary Countries in Presidential Proclamation 7616 of October 31, 2002, are meeting the eligibility criteria provided for in section 204(b)(6)(B) of the ATPA, as amended by the ATPDEA. Public comments are due at USTR no later than 5 p.m., March 27, 2003. Submissions by mail or express delivery should be directed to: Public Reading Room, ATTN: ATPDEA Beneficiary Countries, Office of the United States Trade Representative, 1724 F Street, Room F12P1, NW., Washington, DC 20508. Submissions by electronic mail should be sent to: FR0030@ustr.gov.

Mexico: Commerce Under Secretary Rogan Discusses Intellectual Property Issues With U.S. Industry Leaders

View the text (no longer available) of a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) press release regarding Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property James Rogan’s February 26 meetings in Mexico City with local U.S. industry leaders to discuss their concerns regarding Mexico's intellectual property regime. Overall, enforcement efforts in Mexico are weak and piracy and counterfeiting levels remain high in Mexico.

USTR Zoellick Discusses Trade Issues in House Testimony

On February 26, USTR Robert Zoellick urged Congress to pass legislation to bring the U.S. into compliance with WTO rulings against corporate tax breaks for exporters. In testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee, Zoellick noted that a series of WTO rulings against the Foreign Sales Corporation (FSC) and its successor Extraterritorial Income (ETI) Act mean that the U.S. faces possible EU sanctions on more than $4 billion billion worth of U.S. exports a year. Zoellick believes the EU was less interested in retaliation than in U.S. compliance and urged Congress to move quickly on the issue. View text of USIS Washington File report During his testimony, USTR Zoellick cautioned Russia that its actions blocking poultry imports have raised questions about its accession to the WTO. He said the U.S. would continue helping Russia reform its economy and establish rule of law, but added that, in WTO accession negotiations, the U.S. expects Russia to open its markets to U.S. agricultural goods and financial services and adhere to international standards on food safety. Zoellick also reviewed U.S. monitoring of China's compliance with its obligations since acceding to the WTO. While China has made much progress, he said, it needs to take more action opening its markets to agriculture and services and protecting intellectual property rights. View text of USIS Washington File report

Ex-Im Bank Committed to Latin America During Volatile Economic Times

View the text of the Ex-Im Bank press release stating that it remains committed to supporting trade between Latin America and the despite a volatile economic situation in some parts of the Western Hemisphere. Jeffrey Miller, Ex-Im Bank's senior vice president for export finance, told a February 25 Miami conference, “At Ex-Im Bank, it's our job to finance exports, whether in difficult times or difficult markets."

OECD Makes Progress on Global Steel Subsidies Agreement

On February 25, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Import Administration Faryar Shirzad and government officials from major steel-producing economies around the world concluded meetings of the OECD Steel Disciplines Study Group on elements of a steel subsidies agreement. Shirzad stated, "We made a great deal of progress on many elements that are important to a subsidies agreement, and I look forward to continuing our work on this on an expedited basis." The OECD Secretariat has been directed to prepare text reflecting the discussions; another meeting will be held in May to follow up on these sessions. The U.S. hopes to have much of this work completed in time for the WTO Ministerial Meeting in Cancun in September 2003.

View the text of the Commerce Department press release

USTR Zoellick Discusses President Bush’s Trade Agenda

View the text (no longer available) of USTR Robert Zoellick’s February 26 statement to the House Ways and Means Committee regarding President Bush’s trade agenda.

USITC Seeks Input for Investigation on Economic Impact of Five Trade Agreements Enacted Over Last 25 Years

View the text of a U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) press release noting that the Commission is seeking additional input for its investigation of the economic impact on the U.S. of five trade agreements enacted over the last 25 years: the Tokyo Round; U.S.-Israel FTA; U.S.-Canada FTA; NAFTA; and the Uruguay Round. Responses should be submitted to the Secretary to the Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436, by March 31, 2003.

U.S. Programs Help Build Poor Countries' Trade Capacities

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) official Suzanne Heinen stated that USDA is providing a range of services to help developing countries increase their capacity to take part in the world trade system. Heinen, who is the deputy administrator for international cooperation and development, told an international agricultural meeting in Washington, "If the United States' agricultural community is to achieve success in the global trade negotiating process, our government must engage the developing world in the creation of appropriate trading rules and guidelines, and of transparent, efficient, science-based food and agricultural regulatory systems." USDA, in cooperation with agencies such as the U.S. Agency for International Development, USTR, State Department and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, is helping poor countries increase their understanding of WTO agricultural agreements and strengthen their biotechnology regulations, Heinen said.

View text of Heinen’s remarks

U.S. Agriculture Official Says WTO Proposal Too Limited

U.S. Department of Agriculture Special Counsel David Hegwood said that WTO lead agriculture negotiator Stuart Harbinson’s proposal to establish the basis for further agricultural negotiations within the WTO is a step in the right direction but "doesn't go quite far enough." Harbinson’s proposal would decrease U.S. supports to $12 billion annually from the current $19 billion but allow the EU to spend more than $42 billion a year, which Hegwood said “...is simply unpalatable for the United States." Hegwood pointed out that the U.S.’s November 2002 plan to reduce WTO members’ farm supports (which is supported by the Cairns Group of 17 agricultural exporting countries) achieves equity between the U.S. and the EU, which have roughly same-sized agricultural economies. He also said Japan "should be prepared to do its fair share to liberalize agricultural trade."

View transcript of Hegwood’s remarks

China: Zoellick Says WTO "Integrated with China's Transformation"

During a February 19 press roundtable in Hong Kong, USTR Robert Zoellick said that the impact of China's accession to the WTO runs much deeper than membership in an international organization and the application of new trade rules. He stated that "WTO accession is integrated with China's transformation and development," and that it is "a sign of China's commitment to adapting China to be able to compete in, to benefit from, but also to contribute to the global economy." He said that, although China is experiencing its first trade deficit in six years, it should not shake China's commitment to the WTO. View transcript of USTR Zoellick’s press remarks (no longer available)

U.S. Non-Tariff Barrier Submission to WTO

View the text (no longer available) of a letter Nancy Adams, the U.S.’s lead non-agricultural market access negotiator, sent to the WTO transmitting the U.S.’s indicative list of non-tariff barriers and explanatory note on the approach taken in drawing up the list. The list is drawn from the hundreds of submissions received from the U.S. private sector, labor community, and the American public. Ms. Adams noted that the U.S. is in the process of preparing a proposal on possible modalities which could address these and other barriers, which it hopes to submit within the next month. View U.S. Indicative List for the Non-Tariff Barrier, WTO Non-Agricultural Market Access Negotiating Group (no longer available)

Bush Administration Streamlines Services to Help U.S. Businesses Grow

View the text of the February 20 Commerce Department (DOC) press release announcing new DOC and Ex-Im Bank measures to coordinate export-counseling services and simplify access to financing for U.S. firms that compete for international export sales. Linda Conlin, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Trade Development, and Eduardo Aguirre, Ex-Im Bank Vice Chairman, signed two memoranda of understanding that strengthen inter-agency cooperation to support U.S. exporters.

USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation on Certain Screen Printing Machines, Vision Alignment Devices

View the text of the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) press release noting that, on February 20, the Commission voted to institute an investigation of certain screen printing machines, vision alignment devices used therein, and component parts thereof. The products at issue in this investigation are principally used in the manufacture of printed circuit boards. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the U.S., the sale for importation, and the sale within the U.S. after importation of certain screen printing machines, vision alignment devices used therein, and components thereof that infringe a patent owned by Speedline Technologies, Inc., of Franklin, Massachusetts.

Mexico: Proposed Standards (for February 10 to February 21, 2003)

View recently proposed and enacted Mexican Government standards

USTR Zoellick Criticizes Japan and EU on WTO Agricultural Negotiations

USTR Robert Zoellick criticized Japan's and the EU’s opposition to cutting agricultural tariffs in the WTO negotiations. At a February 16 Tokyo press conference following a three-day mini-ministerial meeting aimed at advancing the WTO round, Zoellick argued that political pressure from Japan's tiny group of farmers is harming Japan's own ailing non-agricultural sectors as well as agriculture-exporting countries, many of them developing countries. Zoellick said also that reluctant EU members have to embrace reform of their Common Agricultural Policy subsidies in order for the WTO round to succeed.

View transcript of USTR Zoellick’s remarks

WTO Strengthens U.S.-China Economic Ties, USTR Zoellick Says

View the transcript of USTR Robert Zoellick’s remarks at a February 17 press roundtable in Beijing, where he met with Chinese officials to discuss near-term problems such as agricultural tariff rate-quota issues and intellectual property issues. Longer-term issues involve, in part, China's new leadership team and the $5 billion in U.S. investment. Zoellick also planned to get a better sense of China's implementation of its WTO commitments by visiting local officials in Chongqing and Shenzhen and a Ford Motor Company plant, to see firsthand "both the benefits of investment and job creation."

USITC Continues Case on Certain Ceramic Station Post Insulators from Japan

View the text of a U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) press release reporting the Commission determined that there is a reasonable indication a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of certain ceramic station post insulators from Japan that are allegedly sold in the U.S. at less than fair value. As a result of the Commission's affirmative determination, the Commerce Department will continue to conduct its antidumping investigation of imports of certain ceramic station post insulators from Japan, with its preliminary determination due on or about June 9, 2003.

Agriculture Secretary Veneman Criticizes WTO Farm Trade Proposal

In a February 13 press release, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman criticized a proposal by the head of the WTO agriculture negotiations, Stuart Harbinson, to reform world farm trade, stating that it falls "far short" of the Doha mandate to improve market access. She stated, however, that Harbinson’s proposal could enable the WTO to meet a March 31 deadline for establishing tariff and subsidy reduction commitments. The U.S. has proposed deeper cuts in tariffs and trade-distorting subsidies than Harbinson proposed. View text of USDA press release (no longer available)

Request for Public Comment on Employment Impact of U.S.-Morocco FTA

View the text of a Federal Register notice issued by the Trade Policy Staff Committee inviting the public to comment by March 28, 2003 on the impact of the proposed U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on U.S. employment, including labor markets. This notice seeks written public comment on potentially significant sectoral or regional employment impacts (both positive and negative) in the U.S., as well as other likely labor market impacts of the FTA. Submissions can be sent via e-mail to: FR0067@ustr.gov; or via fax to: Gloria Blue, Executive Secretary, Trade Policy Staff Committee, at (202) 395-6143.

India: DUSTR Huntsman Keynotes Manhattan India Investment Roundtable

View the text (no longer available) of Deputy United States Trade Representative Jon Huntsman’s keynote speech at the February 5 Manhattan India Investment Roundtable, which is a joint initiative of the U.S.-India Business Council and the U.S. Council for International Business. Ambassador Huntsman noted the Bush Administration’s successes to date regarding trade, but added that “.... our efforts will be incomplete without the strength of a solid partnership with India.” While the U.S. and India have made gains in other key areas, “progress in transforming our economic relationship with India has been slow.” Huntsman noted that India maintains tariffs among the highest in the world, imposes additional taxes when tariffs come down, and erects non-tariff barriers that discourage potential exporters.

U.S. Advances Bold Proposals in FTAA Negotiations to Create World's Largest Free Market in 2005

On February 11, the U.S. announced a bold, comprehensive offer to eliminate tariffs and trade barriers in the negotiations for the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). The U.S. is offering to eliminate its import duties on the majority of industrial and agricultural imports from the Western Hemisphere immediately upon entry into force of the FTAA, and is offering broad access to its services, investment and government procurement sectors. In addition, the U.S. is offering that textiles and apparel imports from the region would be duty-free in the U.S. just five years after the FTAA takes effect, provided other countries reciprocate. To encourage other FTAA countries to make equally ambitious market access proposals, the U.S.’s offer only extends to those FTAA countries which put their own offers on the table. (links no longer available) View USTR press release View fact sheet on U.S. offers (pdf)

U.S. Sees Central America Free Trade Agreement Promoting Democracy, Prosperity

On February 11, Assistant United States Trade Representative Regina Vargo said that enactment of a U.S - Central America Free-Trade Agreement (CAFTA) would benefit all participants in a number of ways. She stated that one benefit of the trade pact would be to strengthen Central American democracy and prosperity, which are beginning to take hold. The U.S. wants a CAFTA that is "commercially meaningful," she said, explaining that much of the trade that currently takes place between the U.S. and Central America falls under U.S. trade preference programs, such as the Caribbean Basin Initiative and the Generalized System of Preferences. CAFTA, Vargo said, would level the playing field for U.S. businesses that sell to Central America.

View text of USIS Washington File report

USITC Reports on Global Issues Affecting U.S. Industries, U.S. Technological Competitiveness

The U.S. copper refining industry and the market potential for power generation and transmission equipment in Latin America are among the topics examined in the current issue of Industry Trade and Technology Review (ITTR), a quarterly publication of the U.S. International Trade Commission's (USITC) Office of Industries.

Vietnam: Revised Tax Policy to Meet ASEAN, WTO Standards

According to Deputy Finance Minister Truong Tri Trung, Vietnam is revising its tax system, including import tariffs, to meet its obligations to ASEAN, and to get in line with WTO standards in preparation for WTO accession. This effort will hopefully provide greater transparency in the tax system's administration, fulfilling Vietnam's transparency obligation under the U.S.-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement.

View text of Vietnam News Agency report

Commerce Assistant Secretary Lash Discusses Barriers to Export

On February 7, Commerce Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance William Lash told the Massachusetts Regional Technology Alliance that other countries must frequently be forced into allowing U.S. products to compete fairly with their own goods. Assistant Secretary Lash stated that European nations and Japan are often difficult markets for U.S. businesses: European countries often erect barriers in the form of testing requirements and unusual standards, while Japan often blocks imports by citing different local conditions. He also noted that one of the biggest issues in exporting is the lack of protection for intellectual property in other nations.

View text of Union News report

Egypt: USTR's Novelli Upbeat on Economic Partnership

On February 6, AUSTR Catherine Novelli praised Egypt for recent steps toward improving its trade and investment climate (which include passing a comprehensive intellectual property rights law and signing the WTO Basic Telecommunications Agreement), and pledged the U.S.'s commitment to deepening its economic partnership with that nation and the Middle East region as a whole. Speaking at a conference on further prospects for the U.S.-Egyptian relationship sponsored by Foreign Policy Magazine, Novelli said that evolution of the relationship with Egypt has broader implications for the Middle East, observing that the U.S. goal is "to work with countries... to help build infrastructure and create tangible opportunities for prosperity...through a combination of open trade and investment policies and tackling specific barriers to increased flow of goods, services and investment."

View text of USIS Washington File report

USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation on Certain Agricultural Vehicles, Components

View the text of the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) press release noting that, on February 7, the Commission voted to institute an investigation of certain agricultural vehicles and components thereof. The investigation is based on a complaint filed by John Deere alleging violations of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the U.S., the sale for importation, and the sale within the U.S. after importation of certain "gray-market" self-propelled forage harvesters and telehandlers and components thereof that infringe four registered trademarks owned by Deere.

Mexico: Proposed Standards (for January 27 to February 7, 2003)

View recently proposed and enacted Mexican Government standards

India-U.S. Statement of Principles on Bilateral High Technology Commerce

On February 5, Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Kenneth Juster and Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal signed a Statement of Principles for U.S.-India High Technology Commerce. The Statement of Principles is a significant achievement in fulfilling the commitment made in November 2001 by President Bush and Prime Minister Vajpayee to qualitatively transform U.S.-India relations. Under Secretary Juster stated, “There is immense potential for trade in the high-technology sector between the United States and India, in areas ranging from information technology to telecommunications to biotechnology. The Statement of Principles...will serve as the framework for advancing such trade between our two countries consistent with our national security and foreign policy interests."

View Bureau of Industry and Security press release

View Statement of Principles for U.S.-India High Technology Commerce

China: USITC Recommends Higher Duties on Imports of Hangers

On February 5, five U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) commissioners recommended that President Bush impose additional duties on U.S. imports of wire garment hangers from China, although their recommendations varied somewhat. President Bush will make the final decision about whether to impose any tariffs at all and what the level should be. In January, the President decided in the first case filed under Section 421 against providing any relief for domestic producers of certain electromechanical devices called pedestal actuators, ignoring commissioners' recommendations.

View text of USIS Washington File report

US Request for WTO Consultations Regarding Venezuela’s Import Licensing Measures on Certain Agricultural Products

View the text of the Federal Register notice inviting the public to comment by March 21, 2003 on the United States’ consultations with Venezuela under the WTO Marrakesh Agreement regarding Venezuela’s import licensing measures on certain agricultural products. These measures appear to be inconsistent with Venezuela’s obligations under several WTO agreements, including the WTO Agreements on Agriculture and Import Licensing. Comments should be submitted to Sandy McKinzy, Monitoring and Enforcement Unit, Office of the General Counsel at USTR, at (202) 395-3581 (phone) or (202) 395-3640 (fax).

Seeking Public Comment on Import Statistics Relating to Competitive Need Limitations for GSP

View the text of a Federal Register notice inviting public comments about interim 2002 import statistics relating to Competitive Need Limitations (CNL) under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. Public comments are invited by February 21, 2003, regarding possible de minimis CNL waivers with respect to particular articles, and possible redesignations under the GSP program of articles currently subject to CNLs.

WTO: Armenia Becomes Newest Member

On February 5, Armenia became the 145th member of the WTO, 30 days after the Secretariat received official notification of the ratification of Armenia's Protocol of Accession. The General Council approved the country's accession package last December.

View information on Armenia’s participation in the WTO

Petition Process To Review Eligibility of Countries for Andean Trade Preference Act Benefits

View the text of a Federal Register notice regarding an interim final rule which provides for the establishment of a petition process to review the eligibility of countries for the benefits of the Andean Trade Preference Act, as amended by the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act. Written comments should be submitted to Bennett M. Harman, Office of the Americas, Office of the United States Trade Representative, 600 17th Street, NW., Room 523, Washington DC 20508, by April 7, 2003.

Bush Administration Proposes Repeal of "Byrd Amendment" on Antidumping Duties

The Bush administration is urging Congress to repeal a provision of antidumping law called the Byrd amendment after a final January ruling by the WTO that it violated U.S. obligations. President Bush's budget proposal for fiscal year 2004 urges repeal of the law, saying it amounts to a "corporate subsidy" and provides a "double-dip" benefit to industries that already benefit from the increased prices on competing import goods resulting from countervailing tariffs.

View text of USIS Washington File report

U.S. Treasury Department Urges Tax Code Reforms for WTO Compliance

The Bush administration has again called on Congress to overhaul U.S. international tax rules, particularly those that offer tax breaks to certain exporters and which have been ruled inadmissible by the WTO. The Treasury Department said that the administration has identified three areas for possible reform, including rules covering investment-type income earned by a foreign subsidiary, foreign tax credits and the allocation of overseas interest expenses. The administration is also calling for a "complete reexamination" of the tax code to ensure that U.S. rules do not hamper the ability of U.S. businesses to compete successfully around the world, Treasury said.

View text of USIS Washington File report

Request for Comments on Operation/ Implementation of WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade

View the text of the Federal Register notice regarding the Trade Policy Staff Committee’s (TPSC) solicitation of public comment on the operation and implementation of the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). Written comments are due by noon Friday, February 28. The WTO Committee on TBT, in which the U.S. is represented, is obliged to conclude a review of the Agreement no later than the end of 2003.

EU Biotech Policy Violates WTO Rules, Veneman Says

On January 31, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman stated that the EU's moratorium on food derived from biotechnology is in violation of its WTO obligations. Secretary Veneman told reporters that the U.S. is losing patience with the EU, and that the EU's action challenges the WTO's integrity. The policy also hurts other countries, she said, because it spreads "unnecessary" fear about the safety of biotechnology; the U.S. says that foods derived from biotechnology are as safe as traditionally grown food.

View text of USIS Washington File report (includes transcript of Secretary Veneman’s remarks)

China: Protecting Your Intellectual Property Rights--A Practical Guide for U.S. Companies

The U.S. Commerce Department has prepared, "Protecting Your Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in China: A Practical Guide for U.S. Companies." This guide, which is aimed at small and medium sized enterprises, provides an introduction to China’s IPR environment, describes methods for safeguarding and protecting IPR, outlines possible enforcement actions available in China’s IPR enforcement regime, and explains the limited role of the United States Government in IPR infringement cases.

View Protecting Your Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in China

Romania: Commerce Assistant Secretary Lash Addresses Commercial Projects, Business Climate

View the texts of U.S. Embassy (no longer available), Associated Press (no longer available), and BBC (no longer available) reports regarding Commerce Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance William Lash’s recent visit to Romania, where he discussed crucial commercial projects and critical business climate issues with senior Romanian Government officials.

Philippines: Combatting Piracy in Wake of Commerce Assistant Secretary Lash’s Visit

View the texts of Associated Press and Daily Variety articles regarding Philippine government efforts to combat piracy in the wake of Commerce Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance William Lash’s recent visit.

Commerce Department and USTR Submit 2002 Subsidies Enforcement Report to Congress

On January 31, the Commerce Department and USTR submitted to Congress the 2002 Subsidies Enforcement Report. The Report details efforts by Commerce and USTR to monitor and enforce compliance against the unfair use of foreign government subsidies across a range of industries including semiconductors, paper, fertilizer, cattle, and textiles. The report discusses the progress of WTO subsidy negotiations, ongoing international steel subsidy talks, the review of China's subsidy commitments, and, generally, subsidies enforcement efforts undertaken by Commerce and USTR in the past year.

View 2002 Subsidies Enforcement Report (pdf)

U.S. Announces November Dates for Miami FTAA Meeting

On January 31, USTR Robert Zoellick announced that the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Ministerial Meeting will take place on November 20-21, 2003, in Miami, Florida. The negotiations among the 34 FTAA nations to remove tariffs, trade barriers, and promote regional economic integration and development throughout the Western Hemisphere are scheduled to be completed by January 2005 with Brazil and the United States co-chairing this final phase. The FTAA negotiations will enter an important phase on February 15, 2003, when countries are supposed to submit their specific offers to reduce trade barriers in five key areas: agriculture; goods; services; investment; and government procurement. In the coming weeks, the U.S. will be offering aggressive proposals to slash tariffs and remove trade barriers throughout the region. View USTR press release (no longer available)