February 2005 News

Kenya: Acting USTR Allgeier to Attend Informal Meeting of Trade Ministers

Acting U.S. Trade Representative Peter F. Allgeier will attend an informal meeting of trade ministers in Mombassa, Kenya, March 3 – 4 focused on advancing the ongoing Doha round of trade negotiations in the WTO. The informal talks provide an opportunity to assess the progress of the negotiations in Geneva, and to provide “capital based” Minister level guidance for the negotiations. Allgeier comented, “As President Bush said in Brussels last week, the United States is firmly committed to the Doha negotiations, and we look forward to working with developed and developing countries alike in advancing the talks. In continuing to provide leadership to advance Doha, we will continue to also press all the WTO Members to step up and contribute, because Doha truly provides the best opportunity to promote continued global economic growth and hope and opportunity.”

View USTR press release

Kenya: Acting USTR Allgeier to Attend Informal Meeting of Trade Ministers

Acting U.S. Trade Representative Peter F. Allgeier will attend an informal meeting of trade ministers in Mombassa, Kenya, March 3 – 4 focused on advancing the ongoing Doha round of trade negotiations in the WTO. The informal talks provide an opportunity to assess the progress of the negotiations in Geneva, and to provide “capital based” Minister level guidance for the negotiations. Allgeier comented, “As President Bush said in Brussels last week, the United States is firmly committed to the Doha negotiations, and we look forward to working with developed and developing countries alike in advancing the talks. In continuing to provide leadership to advance Doha, we will continue to also press all the WTO Members to step up and contribute, because Doha truly provides the best opportunity to promote continued global economic growth and hope and opportunity.”

View USTR press release

U.S., Russia Seek to Intensify Energy Cooperation

In a joint statement issued after their February 24 meeting, Presidents Bush and Putin pledged to intensify bilateral cooperation on removing barriers to energy trade and investment and other issues through the existing energy dialogue. They said that they want U.S. and Russian officials to develop recommendations and specific proposals in areas of energy security, transparency, commercial energy partnerships and energy-related environmental problems. The statement cited support for the expansion of the pipeline system and liquefied natural gas capacity in Russia with a view that such enhancements, together with a more transparent business and investment environment, will help increase Russian oil and gas exports to the U.S. and other markets.

View Bush-Putin Statement on U.S.-Russian Energy Cooperation

U.S. and Brazil Consult on Hemispheric Free-Trade Talks

Commenting on the February 22-23 U.S.-Brazil trade consultations, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Public and Media Affairs Richard Mills told reporters that efforts to forge a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA—for which the U.S. and Brazil are co-chairs) are moving in the right direction. Mills stated that the FTAA co-chairs will meet again March 29-30 and hope to reconvene the full FTAA Trade Negotiations Committee in late April or early May. He added that the U.S. hopes the latter session will establish a basis for moving the FTAA process forward.

View joint communiqué of co-chairs

State Government Procurement and U.S.-Panama, U.S-Andean FTAs

View the USTR Fact Sheet regarding (U.S.) state government procurement for the U.S.-Panama and U.S.-Andean Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). The Bush Administration recently contacted U.S. Governors to request that states voluntarily cover their procurement under a “reciprocity” approach to grant nondiscriminatory access to procurement from Panama and the Andean FTA member countries. In return, businesses and workers from participating states would enjoy the same access to sub-federal procurement in those countries, opening up new export opportunities.

Notice Regarding Products in 2004 Generalized System of Preferences Annual Review

View the text of the Federal Register notice announcing the product petitions accepted for further review in the 2004 Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Annual Review. It also sets forth the schedule for comment and public hearing on these petitions, for requesting participation in the hearing, and for submitting pre- and post-hearing briefs. Hearings will be held by the GSP Subcommittee of the TPSC on March 24, 2005, beginning at 10 a.m. at the U.S. International Trade Commission, Main Hearing Room, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20436. For more information, please consult the Federal Register notice.

U.S., Russia Seek to Intensify Energy Cooperation

In a joint statement issued after their February 24 meeting, Presidents Bush and Putin pledged to intensify bilateral cooperation on removing barriers to energy trade and investment and other issues through the existing energy dialogue. They said that they want U.S. and Russian officials to develop recommendations and specific proposals in areas of energy security, transparency, commercial energy partnerships and energy-related environmental problems. The statement cited support for the expansion of the pipeline system and liquefied natural gas capacity in Russia with a view that such enhancements, together with a more transparent business and investment environment, will help increase Russian oil and gas exports to the U.S. and other markets.

View Bush-Putin Statement on U.S.-Russian Energy Cooperation

U.S. and Brazil Consult on Hemispheric Free-Trade Talks

Commenting on the February 22-23 U.S.-Brazil trade consultations, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Public and Media Affairs Richard Mills told reporters that efforts to forge a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA—for which the U.S. and Brazil are co-chairs) are moving in the right direction. Mills stated that the FTAA co-chairs will meet again March 29-30 and hope to reconvene the full FTAA Trade Negotiations Committee in late April or early May. He added that the U.S. hopes the latter session will establish a basis for moving the FTAA process forward.

View joint communiqué of co-chairs

State Government Procurement and U.S.-Panama, U.S-Andean FTAs

View the USTR Fact Sheet regarding (U.S.) state government procurement for the U.S.-Panama and U.S.-Andean Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). The Bush Administration recently contacted U.S. Governors to request that states voluntarily cover their procurement under a “reciprocity” approach to grant nondiscriminatory access to procurement from Panama and the Andean FTA member countries. In return, businesses and workers from participating states would enjoy the same access to sub-federal procurement in those countries, opening up new export opportunities.

Notice Regarding Products in 2004 Generalized System of Preferences Annual Review

View the text of the Federal Register notice announcing the product petitions accepted for further review in the 2004 Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Annual Review. It also sets forth the schedule for comment and public hearing on these petitions, for requesting participation in the hearing, and for submitting pre- and post-hearing briefs. Hearings will be held by the GSP Subcommittee of the TPSC on March 24, 2005, beginning at 10 a.m. at the U.S. International Trade Commission, Main Hearing Room, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20436. For more information, please consult the Federal Register notice.

Russia-U.S.: Bush - Putin Statement on Russia's WTO Accession

View the text of President Bush’s and President Putin’s joint statement regarding Russia’s WTO accession. The U.S. and Russia will “work to identify areas for progress in our bilateral negotiations that will give momentum to Russia's accession to the WTO and to Russia's economic reform program.”

Concluding WTO Negotiations Top Priority, Says President’s Economic Report

According to the 2005 Economic Report of the President, concluding the ongoing round of WTO negotiations is a top priority of President Bush for his second term. The report previews two issues approaching for Congress that could influence the WTO negotiations. First, Congress could consider denying an extension of the President's Trade-Promotion Authority from mid-2005 through mid-2007, as President Bush is expected to request. Second, congressional opponents of the WTO have an opportunity, available only once every five years by law, to vote on withdrawing U.S. membership in the organization. The report also reviews the administration's major initiative to protect U.S. patents, copyrights and other intellectual property rights called STOP! (Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy!).

View Economic Report of the President

Modification of U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule: Designation of Mauritius for AGOA Benefits

View the text of the Federal Register notice regarding modification of the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule to reflect designation of Mauritius as being eligible for certain additional benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Russia-U.S.: Bush - Putin Statement on Russia's WTO Accession

View the text of President Bush’s and President Putin’s joint statement regarding Russia’s WTO accession. The U.S. and Russia will “work to identify areas for progress in our bilateral negotiations that will give momentum to Russia's accession to the WTO and to Russia's economic reform program.”

Concluding WTO Negotiations Top Priority, Says President’s Economic Report

According to the 2005 Economic Report of the President, concluding the ongoing round of WTO negotiations is a top priority of President Bush for his second term. The report previews two issues approaching for Congress that could influence the WTO negotiations. First, Congress could consider denying an extension of the President's Trade-Promotion Authority from mid-2005 through mid-2007, as President Bush is expected to request. Second, congressional opponents of the WTO have an opportunity, available only once every five years by law, to vote on withdrawing U.S. membership in the organization. The report also reviews the administration's major initiative to protect U.S. patents, copyrights and other intellectual property rights called STOP! (Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy!).

View Economic Report of the President

Modification of U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule: Designation of Mauritius for AGOA Benefits

View the text of the Federal Register notice regarding modification of the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule to reflect designation of Mauritius as being eligible for certain additional benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

U.S., CAFTA-DR Countries Sign Agreements for Implementing Environmental Provisions

On February 18, the U.S., five Central American countries and the Dominican Republic signed two agreements designed to complement and facilitate the implementation of environmental provisions in the free trade agreement that the seven countries have concluded (CAFTA-DR). The seven governments signed an Understanding establishing a secretariat to administer a public submissions mechanism and an Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA) to guide long-term environmental cooperation in the region. While previous FTAs all have strong environmental provisions, the CAFTA-DR establishes a ground-breaking and robust public submissions process that will allow members of the public to raise concerns if they believe that a Party is not effectively enforcing its environmental laws. It is the first free trade agreement to contain such a mechanism in the agreement itself

U.S., CAFTA-DR Countries Sign Agreements for Implementing Environmental Provisions

On February 18, the U.S., five Central American countries and the Dominican Republic signed two agreements designed to complement and facilitate the implementation of environmental provisions in the free trade agreement that the seven countries have concluded (CAFTA-DR). The seven governments signed an Understanding establishing a secretariat to administer a public submissions mechanism and an Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA) to guide long-term environmental cooperation in the region. While previous FTAs all have strong environmental provisions, the CAFTA-DR establishes a ground-breaking and robust public submissions process that will allow members of the public to raise concerns if they believe that a Party is not effectively enforcing its environmental laws. It is the first free trade agreement to contain such a mechanism in the agreement itself

Bush Designates Allgeier as Acting U.S. Trade Representative

On February 18, President Bush announced his intention to designate Peter F. Allgeier as acting U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to serve in place of outgoing USTR Robert Zoellick, who has been nominated as deputy secretary of state. Ambassador Allgeier currently serves as deputy USTR, responsible for supervising U.S. trade negotiations with Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada.

View USIS Washington File report

Bush Designates Allgeier as Acting U.S. Trade Representative

On February 18, President Bush announced his intention to designate Peter F. Allgeier as acting U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to serve in place of outgoing USTR Robert Zoellick, who has been nominated as deputy secretary of state. Ambassador Allgeier currently serves as deputy USTR, responsible for supervising U.S. trade negotiations with Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada.

View USIS Washington File report

Commerce's Gutierrez, European Commission's Verheugen Meet in Brussels

"A strong, vibrant Europe is a necessary and essential partner for the U.S.," said U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez in a joint statement with European Commission (EC) Vice President Gunter Verheugen February 15 in Brussels, where Gutierrez was meeting with European officials and leading the U.S. delegation to the Third Earth Observation Summit. Gutierrez, who was making his first international trip as commerce secretary, said he and Verheugen had a "constructive meeting today about how best to create a transatlantic environment that promotes innovation, competitiveness and economic growth." In their meeting, Gutierrez and Verheugen discussed the importance of industry and entrepreneurship and the role of the Trans-Atlantic Business Dialogue (TABD) in strengthening EU-U.S. relations, according to the joint statement. Verheugen, who is EC vice president for enterprise and industry, said that the EC "share(s) the view that governments have to set the right framework so that industry can create growth and jobs," adding that removing barriers to transatlantic trade and investment is a step towards this goal.

View Commerce press release

WTO: General Council Accepts Separate Applications from Serbia and Montenegro

At its February 15 meeting, the WTO General Council accepted separate membership applications from the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Montenegro, and agreed to the establishment of Working Parties to start the respective accession negotiations. At the same time, the membership application of "Serbia and Montenegro" was withdrawn.

View WTO news item

Commerce's Gutierrez, European Commission's Verheugen Meet in Brussels

"A strong, vibrant Europe is a necessary and essential partner for the U.S.," said U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez in a joint statement with European Commission (EC) Vice President Gunter Verheugen February 15 in Brussels, where Gutierrez was meeting with European officials and leading the U.S. delegation to the Third Earth Observation Summit. Gutierrez, who was making his first international trip as commerce secretary, said he and Verheugen had a "constructive meeting today about how best to create a transatlantic environment that promotes innovation, competitiveness and economic growth." In their meeting, Gutierrez and Verheugen discussed the importance of industry and entrepreneurship and the role of the Trans-Atlantic Business Dialogue (TABD) in strengthening EU-U.S. relations, according to the joint statement. Verheugen, who is EC vice president for enterprise and industry, said that the EC "share(s) the view that governments have to set the right framework so that industry can create growth and jobs," adding that removing barriers to transatlantic trade and investment is a step towards this goal.

View Commerce press release

WTO: General Council Accepts Separate Applications from Serbia and Montenegro

At its February 15 meeting, the WTO General Council accepted separate membership applications from the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Montenegro, and agreed to the establishment of Working Parties to start the respective accession negotiations. At the same time, the membership application of "Serbia and Montenegro" was withdrawn.

View WTO news item

U.S. Sets Out Mileposts for Successful Completion of WTO Round

At the February 14 meeting of the WTO Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC), Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Peter F. Allgeier stated that the U.S. is committed to completing a global trade agreement in the WTO before the end of 2006. He said the U.S. believes that goal is achievable if negotiators can meet a series of mileposts (which he set out in his remarks) along the way. Allgeier said that negotiators need to complete an "endgame document" by December 2005, when trade ministers from the 148 WTO members are scheduled to meet in Hong Kong. To get there, he said, they will need to "be far along" in the development of that document by the summer break at the end of July. On industrial goods, or NAMA, Allgeier reiterated that the U.S. wants to consider what is called a "Swiss formula" to reduce high tariffs much more sharply than low tariffs, adding that the U.S. is willing to accept somewhat different reduction rates for developed and developing countries.

View USIS Washington File report

U.S., Andean Nations Conclude Latest Round of Trade Talks

During a February 14 conference call with reporters, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for the Americas Regina Vargo said that negotiators from the U.S., Colombia, Peru and Ecuador made “steady progress” in the latest round of U.S.-Andean Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks. Ms. Vargo noted that strong advances had been made in areas including market access, government procurement and dispute settlement, and that texts covering telecommunications and electronic commerce are almost complete. The next full round of negotiations will begin March 14 in Washington, and will focus on intellectual property rights, investment, rules of origin, and a "deeper discussion of the structure of the agreement," Vargo said. At this time, negotiations will also be held on agriculture. Apart from this round, discussions on textiles will be held March 16-18 in Miami, concurrently with Material World -- one of the world's largest textile expositions.

View USIS Washington File report

Pakistan, U.S. Open Bilateral Investment Treaty Talks

The U.S. and Pakistan held their first round of negotiations for a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) in London February 7-10, and plan to meet for a second round of talks in Pakistan in the spring. The delegations examined the draft text in detail, making progress and reaching informal agreement on several issues.

View USIS Washington file report

Presidential Proclamation on Modifications to NAFTA Rules of Origin

View the text of the Presidential Proclamation modifying Rules of Origin under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

View Federal Register notice

U.S. Sets Out Mileposts for Successful Completion of WTO Round

At the February 14 meeting of the WTO Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC), Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Peter F. Allgeier stated that the U.S. is committed to completing a global trade agreement in the WTO before the end of 2006. He said the U.S. believes that goal is achievable if negotiators can meet a series of mileposts (which he set out in his remarks) along the way. Allgeier said that negotiators need to complete an "endgame document" by December 2005, when trade ministers from the 148 WTO members are scheduled to meet in Hong Kong. To get there, he said, they will need to "be far along" in the development of that document by the summer break at the end of July. On industrial goods, or NAMA, Allgeier reiterated that the U.S. wants to consider what is called a "Swiss formula" to reduce high tariffs much more sharply than low tariffs, adding that the U.S. is willing to accept somewhat different reduction rates for developed and developing countries.

View USIS Washington File report

U.S., Andean Nations Conclude Latest Round of Trade Talks

During a February 14 conference call with reporters, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for the Americas Regina Vargo said that negotiators from the U.S., Colombia, Peru and Ecuador made “steady progress” in the latest round of U.S.-Andean Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks. Ms. Vargo noted that strong advances had been made in areas including market access, government procurement and dispute settlement, and that texts covering telecommunications and electronic commerce are almost complete. The next full round of negotiations will begin March 14 in Washington, and will focus on intellectual property rights, investment, rules of origin, and a "deeper discussion of the structure of the agreement," Vargo said. At this time, negotiations will also be held on agriculture. Apart from this round, discussions on textiles will be held March 16-18 in Miami, concurrently with Material World -- one of the world's largest textile expositions.

View USIS Washington File report

Pakistan, U.S. Open Bilateral Investment Treaty Talks

The U.S. and Pakistan held their first round of negotiations for a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) in London February 7-10, and plan to meet for a second round of talks in Pakistan in the spring. The delegations examined the draft text in detail, making progress and reaching informal agreement on several issues.

View USIS Washington file report

Presidential Proclamation on Modifications to NAFTA Rules of Origin

View the text of the Presidential Proclamation modifying Rules of Origin under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

View Federal Register notice

Laos-U.S. Bilateral Trade Relations Agreement Enters Into Force

The Laos-U.S. Bilateral Trade Relations Agreement, which was signed on September 18, 2003, entered into force as of February 4, 2005. Henceforth, all products of Laos entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption shall be granted most-favored-nation treatment by the U.S. Pursuant to the terms of the trade agreement, products of the U.S. will receive reciprocal Normal Trade Relations treatment from Laos as of February 4, 2005. View Federal Register notice View Laos Bilateral Trade Relations Agreement

China: U.S. Officials Assess WTO Compliance

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Asia Market Access and Compliance Henry Levine testified at the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission’s hearing regarding China’s compliance with its WTO commitments. While he noted that, during its first three years as a WTO member, China's leadership has exhibited a good faith effort to bring China into compliance with its WTO commitments, its compliance record has not been consistently positive over the past three years and problems remain today. Levine stated that the protection of U.S. intellectual property rights (IPR) remains paramount "unfinished business" in the U.S.’s bilateral discussions with the Chinese government. In addition to IPR, the U.S. continues to have concerns about China's practices in specific industry sectors and broad-based commercial policies, including standards and other technical barriers to trade, Customs valuation on certain products, and direct selling regulations. Levine described some of the approaches that the Commerce Department, working with other agencies, are taking to ensure market access and compliance in China. These measures include: making monthly visits by Cabinet or other senior officials to China to engage with China's leaders; establishing the IPR Policy and Compliance Investigations Office; and for the first time using technology to enable compliance officers in China and the U.S. to work collaboratively on compliance cases in the Market Access and Compliance Bureau on a real-time basis. View transcript of Levine testimony to Commission View USIS Washington file report on State DAS Donnelly’s testimony to Commission

Carlos Gutierrez Sworn in as Commerce Secretary

On February 7, Carlos M. Gutierrez was sworn in as U.S. Commerce Secretary. During Gutierrez’s first day, he addressed Commerce Department employees and outlined his plans to continue the administration’s efforts to open markets and build a stronger America. The Secretary stated, “President Bush has a bold agenda to strengthen our economy and the Commerce Department will play an important role in this process. Through our efforts to open markets we can work together with other departments and Congress to strengthen America’s economy.” Gutierrez will serve as a key member of President Bush’s economic team, advising the President on trade, business, energy policy and overall U.S. economic policy. Gutierrez will work to expand free trade, create higher paying jobs and strengthen America’s economy.

View Commerce press release

Laos-U.S. Bilateral Trade Relations Agreement Enters Into Force

The Laos-U.S. Bilateral Trade Relations Agreement, which was signed on September 18, 2003, entered into force as of February 4, 2005. Henceforth, all products of Laos entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption shall be granted most-favored-nation treatment by the U.S. Pursuant to the terms of the trade agreement, products of the U.S. will receive reciprocal Normal Trade Relations treatment from Laos as of February 4, 2005. View Federal Register notice View Laos Bilateral Trade Relations Agreement

China: U.S. Officials Assess WTO Compliance

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Asia Market Access and Compliance Henry Levine testified at the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission’s hearing regarding China’s compliance with its WTO commitments. While he noted that, during its first three years as a WTO member, China's leadership has exhibited a good faith effort to bring China into compliance with its WTO commitments, its compliance record has not been consistently positive over the past three years and problems remain today. Levine stated that the protection of U.S. intellectual property rights (IPR) remains paramount "unfinished business" in the U.S.’s bilateral discussions with the Chinese government. In addition to IPR, the U.S. continues to have concerns about China's practices in specific industry sectors and broad-based commercial policies, including standards and other technical barriers to trade, Customs valuation on certain products, and direct selling regulations. Levine described some of the approaches that the Commerce Department, working with other agencies, are taking to ensure market access and compliance in China. These measures include: making monthly visits by Cabinet or other senior officials to China to engage with China's leaders; establishing the IPR Policy and Compliance Investigations Office; and for the first time using technology to enable compliance officers in China and the U.S. to work collaboratively on compliance cases in the Market Access and Compliance Bureau on a real-time basis. View transcript of Levine testimony to Commission View USIS Washington file report on State DAS Donnelly’s testimony to Commission

Carlos Gutierrez Sworn in as Commerce Secretary

On February 7, Carlos M. Gutierrez was sworn in as U.S. Commerce Secretary. During Gutierrez’s first day, he addressed Commerce Department employees and outlined his plans to continue the administration’s efforts to open markets and build a stronger America. The Secretary stated, “President Bush has a bold agenda to strengthen our economy and the Commerce Department will play an important role in this process. Through our efforts to open markets we can work together with other departments and Congress to strengthen America’s economy.” Gutierrez will serve as a key member of President Bush’s economic team, advising the President on trade, business, energy policy and overall U.S. economic policy. Gutierrez will work to expand free trade, create higher paying jobs and strengthen America’s economy.

View Commerce press release

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

USTR is requesting the views of interested parties on whether the countries designated as Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) 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. This information will be used in the preparation of a report to the U.S. Congress on the operation of the program. DATES: Public comments are due at USTR no later than 5 p.m., March 18, 2005. For information on submitting comments, please consult the Federal Register notice

U.S.: Products Subject to Possible Withdrawal of Concessions in Response to EU Changes to Rice Import Regime

In response to the EU’s changes to its rice import regime, the U.S. has notified the WTO of its intent to withdraw concessions by March 1, 2005, with respect to the goods in this Federal Register notice. For more information, and to view the list of goods, please consult the Federal Register notice

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

USTR is requesting the views of interested parties on whether the countries designated as Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) 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. This information will be used in the preparation of a report to the U.S. Congress on the operation of the program. DATES: Public comments are due at USTR no later than 5 p.m., March 18, 2005. For information on submitting comments, please consult the Federal Register notice

U.S.: Products Subject to Possible Withdrawal of Concessions in Response to EU Changes to Rice Import Regime

In response to the EU’s changes to its rice import regime, the U.S. has notified the WTO of its intent to withdraw concessions by March 1, 2005, with respect to the goods in this Federal Register notice. For more information, and to view the list of goods, please consult the Federal Register notice

U.S., Russia See Accord on Russian WTO Accession Possible in 2005

After their January 31 meeting in Zurich, U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick and Russian Federation Minister of Economic Development and Trade German Gref told journalists that the U.S. and Russia could reach a deal on Russia’s accession to the WTO in 2005. Zoellick said the U.S. will "work closely with our Russian partners to help work through the multilateral aspects with all 148 economies in the WTO to expedite Russia's accession, in addition to our bilateral work."

View USTR press release

U.S., Russia See Accord on Russian WTO Accession Possible in 2005

After their January 31 meeting in Zurich, U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick and Russian Federation Minister of Economic Development and Trade German Gref told journalists that the U.S. and Russia could reach a deal on Russia’s accession to the WTO in 2005. Zoellick said the U.S. will "work closely with our Russian partners to help work through the multilateral aspects with all 148 economies in the WTO to expedite Russia's accession, in addition to our bilateral work."

View USTR press release

Treasury's Taylor Cites Need for Middle East Economic Reform

In his January 28 address to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Treasury Under Secretary John Taylor said that economic reform is the key to greater productivity, job opportunities and economic growth in the broader Middle East and North Africa. Taylor, who welcomed the work of the Arab Business Council in promoting economic reforms throughout the region, said economic freedom “is not achievable without the active participation of independent business voices like that of the Arab Business Council.” Taylor noted that worker productivity in the Middle East has been falling at an average rate of 0.7 percent per year for the past 20 years and that unemployment in the region runs at 15 percent, with rates reaching as high as 30 percent among young workers. Taylor highlighted two initiatives of the Arab Business Council designed to improve the economic conditions in the region: the creation of national competitiveness councils aimed at measuring the business climate in Middle Eastern countries; and the creation of a task force on investment aimed at attracting capital into the region.

View USIS Washington File report

Treasury's Taylor Cites Need for Middle East Economic Reform

In his January 28 address to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Treasury Under Secretary John Taylor said that economic reform is the key to greater productivity, job opportunities and economic growth in the broader Middle East and North Africa. Taylor, who welcomed the work of the Arab Business Council in promoting economic reforms throughout the region, said economic freedom “is not achievable without the active participation of independent business voices like that of the Arab Business Council.” Taylor noted that worker productivity in the Middle East has been falling at an average rate of 0.7 percent per year for the past 20 years and that unemployment in the region runs at 15 percent, with rates reaching as high as 30 percent among young workers. Taylor highlighted two initiatives of the Arab Business Council designed to improve the economic conditions in the region: the creation of national competitiveness councils aimed at measuring the business climate in Middle Eastern countries; and the creation of a task force on investment aimed at attracting capital into the region.

View USIS Washington File report