January 2006 News

Commerce’s Sampson, Rep. Castle, Help Poultry Producers Export to CAFTA/DR Countries

On January 30, Commerce Deputy Secretary David A. Sampson and Congressman Mike Castle (R-Delaware) issued an Export Trade Certificate of Review that will help improve market access to Central America for the U.S. poultry industry and agricultural exporters. The Certificate was presented to the Central America Poultry Export Quota, Inc. (CA-PEQ) at a signing ceremony on Capitol Hill. Commenting on the CA-PEQ, Deputy Secretary Sampson called it “… a great example of how countries are working together under the CAFTA-DR to benefit their local economies.” CA-PEQ was created to administer a Tariff Rate Quota established under the CAFTA-DR that allow duty free shipments of a predetermined quantity of U.S. chicken leg quarters to Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The Tariff Rate Quota is the first mechanism designed specifically to benefit the industry of each participating country.

View Commerce press release

U.S. and Switzerland Establish Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum as Step Toward Free Trade Agreement

After a January 28 meeting with Swiss Federal Councillor Joseph Deiss, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman announced that the United States and Switzerland will establish a Swiss-U.S. Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum as they “work to strengthen our already close bilateral economic relationship.” Portman noted that U.S.-Swiss discussions on a potential free trade agreement (FTA) “provided the basis for the new Swiss-U.S. Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum.,” and that “Both countries remain interested in a possible comprehensive free trade agreement and may resume discussions at a later stage.” Portman added, “The United States and Switzerland will continue their already close cooperation in the World Trade Organization and other international organizations."

View USTR press release

U.S.-Brazil Cooperation on Trade Is Crucial, Says Commerce Deputy Secretary Sampson

In January 24 remarks to the Brazil-U.S. Business Council in Washington, Deputy Secretary of Commerce David Sampson said that the United States and Brazil are "close friends," and strong U.S.-Brazil leadership is important for the Latin American region as well as for advancing global trade talks. Sampson outlined areas for closer U.S.-Brazilian cooperation, including streamlining customs clearance, combating pirated goods and advancing the Doha round of WTO negotiations. The Deputy Secretary said the United States is pursuing comprehensive trade agreements in the Americas that will help create the conditions for global competitiveness. When the free-trade agreements currently under negotiation with Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Panama are in place, more than 90 percent of U.S. trade in the Americas will be covered by free-trade agreements, Sampson said. Brazil and the nations of the South American Common Market, or Mercosur, continue to stand out as exceptions to the growing trend toward broader regional economic integration. Yet while progress with Brazil on the creation of a proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) has been slow, the United States and Brazil are cooperating on other trade issues.

View USIS Washington File report

China: Commerce’s Bohigian Raises IPR, Asia Pacific Partnership With Guangdong Vice Governor

During a meeting with Guangdong Vice Governor Song Hai, Commerce Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance David Bohigian proposed three specific measures for the Guangdong government to implement in an effort to demonstrate its commitment to improve IPR enforcement. Specifically, the Assistant Secretary requested: (1) the creation of an IPR case referral mechanism; (2) updates on Guangdong’s high profile IPR cases; and (3) the 2005 IPR report on enforcement statistics. The Assistant Secretary also proposed additional areas for potential cooperation in the future including: 1) the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate; 2) implementation of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) IPR trade fair commitments; and (3) developing training programs, including U.S. SME IPR programs. The Vice Governor responded favorably to these proposals and expressed interest in working cooperatively with the U.S. Department of Commerce to improve IPR protection. The Vice Governor assured the Assistant Secretary that Guangdong attaches great importance to the protection of IPR and is currently implementing specific measures to promote IPR protection in the province. The Vice Governor expected the upcoming 2005 Guangdong province IPR enforcement statistics to be encouraging, reflecting progress made in the provincial government’s efforts to protect IPR, including the promotion of licensed software in all of the province’s 21 cities; the creation of IPR bureaus at the county level; and the establishment of Industry and Commerce Administration (AIC) bureaus at the township level.

Pushing for Progress on WTO Talks in Davos

After meeting informally with WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy and officials from the EU and 18 other countries on the margins of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman commented on January 28 that the meeting created a sense that WTO trade liberalization talks must advance in all areas for the negotiations to succeed. Trade, economic and commerce ministers attended the meeting. While in Davos, the meeting participants set an April 30 deadline for agreement on modalities -- specific details and time frames -- for further negotiations. The deadline needs to be formally approved by the broader WTO ministerial forum. Calling the Doha Round of trade negotiations a “once in a generation” opportunity, Portman said that all nations have much to lose if the talks fail. Agriculture issues, however, remain contentious. EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson advocated a slower, more gradual approach to farm trade liberalization, which Brazilian Minister of Foreign Relations Celso Amorim rejected, stating that a delay in farm trade liberalization would hamper the economic advance of developing countries.

View USIS Washington File report

China Urged To Assume Greater Role in Global Trade

In January 25 remarks to the Forecast 2006 Conference of the U.S.-China Business Council, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Karan Bhatia stated that, as China's economy matures, it must take on a more responsible and accountable role in its bilateral, regional, and global trading relationships. China's record is mixed after four years of membership in the WTO, Bhatia said, adding that a more serious level of bilateral and multilateral focus is required to move beyond this stage. Bhatia challenged decision makers in China to move beyond policies that favor selected industries, maintain state control, and protect local interests to become a "responsible stakeholder" and mature trading partner. The United States will continue to engage China as its economic transformation proceeds, Bhatia said. But the United States will use all appropriate means, including the WTO dispute settlement mechanism and trade remedies under U.S. law, he emphasized, to make sure that China lives up to its commitments.

View transcript of Bhatia's remarks

USTR Portman Welcomes Korea’s Action to Reduce Movie Restrictions

In a January 26 press release, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman applauded the decision by Korea to reduce its restrictions on foreign films, also known as the 'screen quota' system. This system previously mandated that domestic films be shown on local theater screens 146 days out of the year. Portman called Korea’s decision to reduce the requirement by half to 73 days “good news for Korean movie-goers and the U.S. film industry,” which “will help level the playing field and increase movie choices for Koreans.”

View USTR press release

United States and Turkey Meet Under Trade and Investment Framework Agreement

On January 24, U.S. Government officials met in Ankara, Turkey, with their Turkish Government counterparts for the fourth meeting under the United States-Turkey Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). The agenda covered priority trade issues for both countries, including improving market access for U.S. agricultural products, strengthening Turkey’s protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, and addressing taxation and business climate issues affecting U.S. companies. In addition, the two sides discussed key issues related to the WTO Doha Development Agenda negotiations. On the margins of the meeting, the U.S. delegation also met with Turkish officials at the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as with Turkish business representatives. Two-way trade in goods between the United States and Turkey totaled $8.3 billion in 2004, with the figure estimated to have climbed in 2005 to $9.5 billion.

View USTR press release

Taiwan Reopens Its Market to U.S. Boneless Beef

On January 25, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns announced that Taiwan will join other Asian markets such as Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea in resuming trade in U.S. boneless beef from cattle less than 30 months of age. Taiwan banned imports of U.S. beef and beef products following the December 2003 discovery of a single case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or "mad cow disease," in the United States, in a cow of Canadian origin. Taiwan reopened its market in April 2005, but closed it again two months later when a second case of BSE was confirmed in the United States. Johanns said he was very pleased with Taiwan’s decision to resume trade in U.S. beef.

View USDA press release

Fact Sheet on Labor for Oman Free Trade Agreement

View the USTR fact sheet on labor for the United States–Oman Free Trade Agreement (FTA). As in other recent U.S. free trade agreements, the United States-Oman FTA contains provisions reaffirming the Parties’ commitments as members of the International Labor Organization (ILO), and pledging the effective enforcement of domestic labor laws that provide for internationally recognized worker rights. The Government of Oman recognizes the need to continue making progress on labor rights, and is seeking assistance from the ILO to raise awareness and educate workers about their rights, and to establish new worker representative committees.

USTR Ends Review of Pakistan’s Protection of Intellectual Property Rights

On January 24, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman announced that the United States has closed an ongoing review of an industry-initiated petition seeking termination of Pakistan’s eligibility for the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program based on concerns over intellectual property rights. The GSP program provides duty-free treatment to certain exports to the United States. In 2004, such duty-free treatment was provided to $94 million of Pakistan’s exports. The U.S. determined that it was appropriate to end the petition review due to the significant progress Pakistan has recently made in the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, especially with regard to stopping production of pirated optical media products (e.g., CDs, DVDs). Pakistan has engaged in a number of additional actions to improve its intellectual property rights (IPR) regime, and has initiated the process to accede to World Intellectual Property (WIPO) Internet treaties-- the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty.

View USTR press release

United States Planning More Free-Trade Negotiations in 2006, Says Portman

Before departing for the World Economic Forum, to be held in Davos, Switzerland January 25-29, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman told reporters that the United States hopes to initiate more free-trade agreement (FTA) negotiations in 2006, possibly with South Korea and Malaysia. The next FTA negotiation in the Middle East likely would be with the United Arab Emirates, he said, adding that political and economic issues present obstacles to an FTA with Egypt, the largest Arab country. At Davos, Portman also plans to meet with the trade minister of Switzerland, a country eager for an FTA that has substantial trade with and investment in the United States but also has one of the most protected agricultural sectors, he said. Reviewing ongoing FTA negotiations, he described conclusion of those with Panama as "very close." Intensive negotiations continue with Ecuador, Colombia and Thailand, Portman said, rebutting published reports describing negotiations a week earlier with Thailand as going poorly. Expiration of TPA is part of Portman's calculations on submitting bilateral agreements to Congress as well as on completing the WTO Doha negotiations. Informal sessions in Davos could give participants a chance to make incremental progress in the Doha negotiations.

View transcript of Portman's remarks

USTR Reinstates Generalized System of Preferences Benefits for Ukraine

On January 23, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman announced that the United States will reinstate Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) benefits for Ukraine and lower its designation under Special 301 from Priority Foreign Country to Priority Watch List. The United States is taking these steps in recognition of the Government of Ukraine's efforts to improve the enforcement and protection of intellectual property rights. In making the announcement, Portman “commend(ed) the Government of Ukraine for its sustained efforts to crack down on copyright piracy and urge the government to continue their efforts." In 2001, USTR designed Ukraine as a Priority Foreign Country because significant illegal manufacturing of optical media products, such as CDs and DVDs, was occurring in Ukraine. In July 2005, Ukraine passed legislation that strengthens its licensing regime and enforcement efforts to stem the illegal production and trade of CDs and DVDs.

View USTR press release

U.S. and Mexico Reach Agreement In Principle On Cement Trade

While visiting New Orleans on January 19, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez released a statement regarding the agreement in principle reached between the U.S. and Mexico that will resolve a sixteen-year dispute and liberalize trade in cement between the two countries. The Secretary called the agreement “a positive step toward resolving a sixteen-year dispute between the U.S. and Mexico,” which “underscores…our ability to resolve trade disputes in a constructive manner.” He added, "The agreement will help ensure that Gulf Coast communities have the resources to rebuild and it will also help U.S. cement producers access the Mexican market.” The United States will continue to work with Mexico to finalize the agreement, Secretary Gutierrez noted.

View Commerce press release

U.S. Agriculture Department Reacts to Japan’s Reimposition of Ban on U.S. Beef Exports

On January 20, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi announced that his government had imposed a total ban on U.S. beef imports after a recent shipment was found to contain parts of cattle considered at risk for mad cow disease. In reaction to Japan’s action, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns noted in a statement that the tissue Japan found--spinal column from veal-- is allowed in the American food supply because it comes from animals younger than 30 months of age. However, the agreement with Japan bars spinal column and other bone tissue. Johanns will dispatch a team of USDA inspectors to Japan to work with their Japanese counterparts to reexamine every shipment currently awaiting approval, in order to confirm compliance with the requirements of the agreement with Japan. He also directed that additional inspectors be sent to every plant that is approved to export beef to review procedures and ensure compliance with the U.S.-Japan agreements, among other measures. The Secretary added, "While this is not a food safety issue, this is an unacceptable failure on our part to meet the requirements of our agreement with Japan. We take this matter seriously, recognizing the importance of our beef export market, and we are acting swiftly and firmly."

View USDA press release

Singapore Partially Reopens Market to U.S. Beef Products

Singapore will reopen its market to imports of boneless beef products from the United States from cattle less than 30 months of age, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns announced January 19. The decision partially reverses a ban on most U.S. beef imports that was imposed by the government of Singapore after a single cow of Canadian origin infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, also known as mad cow disease) was found in a U.S. herd in December 2003. Singapore’s decision follows recent similar actions by the governments of Hong Kong and South Korea. "The opening of Singapore's market demonstrates a growing global confidence in the effectiveness of U.S. safeguards and the safety of U.S. beef," Johanns said. He added that the United States would continue to push for resumption of normal beef trade based on science-based international standards for food and animal safety. Japan reopened its market to U.S. beef imports on December 11, 2005, but reimposed a ban on January 20.

View USDA press release

United States and Oman Sign Free Trade Agreement

On January 19, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman and Omani Minister of Commerce and Industry Maqbool bin Ali Sultan signed the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement, a comprehensive agreement that will eliminate tariffs and barriers and expand trade between both countries. Oman is the fifth Middle Eastern country to have negotiated an FTA with the United States, and advances the President’s vision for a Middle East Free Trade Area (MEFTA). In 2004, U.S. goods exports to Oman totaled $330 million. This new trade opening will expand opportunities for exports of machinery, automobiles, optical and medical instruments and electrical machinery, and agricultural products such as vegetable oils, and sugars, sweeteners, and beverage bases.

View USTR press release

Florida Promotes Central American Trade Pact

The U.S. state of Florida is launching a marketing campaign designed to help the Florida business community capitalize on the opportunities presented by the recently enacted Central American/Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA/DR). The campaign, which is supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce, includes education and marketing outreach efforts to increase trade between Florida and the countries in the CAFTA-DR. The campaign is being launched by a group called Enterprise Florida, a partnership between the Florida state government and Florida business leaders. The group participates in the Trade Compliance Center’s Compliance Liaison Program. Lisa Nason, Enterprise Florida's vice president for communications and organizational development, said in a January 12 interview that her group will establish at the end of January a CAFTA-DR information, research and data Web site to help the Florida business community better understand the mechanics of carrying out international trade with the CAFTA-DR nations. In announcing the new marketing campaign December 14, 2005, Florida Governor Jeb Bush said that Florida -- as the "gateway to the Americas" -- will lead the United States in implementing the CAFTA-DR agreement, "signifying the vital role Florida plays in the world market."

View USIS Washington File report

USTR Statement Regarding Sixth Round of U.S.-Thailand FTA Negotiations

In a statement released at the conclusion of the sixth round of U.S.-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations on January 13, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Barbara Wiesel noted that the parties “made progress in many chapters, but still have much work ahead.” The U.S. and Thailand will “exchange new proposals in the next several weeks so we can continue to make progress.” She said that while the United States believes an agreement can be negotiated in the timeframe it set, “it will require both sides to redouble their efforts and to consider creative solutions to the remaining issues.”

View USTR press release

Portman and Johanns Welcome Progress to Reopen Korean Market to U.S. Beef

On January 13, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns announced that Korea and the United States have agreed on an initial import protocol, an important step in reopening Korea’s market to U.S. beef. This initial agreement will allow the United States to export boneless beef from cattle less than 30 months of age under a Beef Export Verification Program. Ambassador Portman said, "Although we appreciate this step toward normalized beef trade with Korea, we are extremely disappointed that Korea did not fully open its market to all U.S. beef products,” adding, “We will continue to urge Korea in the strongest terms to open its market without delay...” Before the ban took effect in December 2003, following the detection of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in a single cow of Canadian origin in Washington State, the United States exported $815 million worth of beef and beef products to Korea, of which $449 million was boneless beef.

View USTR press release

Bush Signs U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Act into Law

On January 11, President Bush signed the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act into law, opening the way for tariff-free bilateral trade in all industrial and consumer goods and creating new opportunities for trade in services and agricultural goods. White House press secretary Scott McClellan hailed the new agreement as a significant step toward Bush’s goal of creating a Middle East Free Trade Area (MEFTA) by 2013. U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman welcomed Bush’s signing of the U.S.-Bahrain agreement and said the growth of trade would bring greater stability and economic opportunity to the Middle East. The U.S. and Bahrain governments signed the agreement on September 14, 2004, and the United States Congress approved the agreement in December 2005.

View White House press release

More Countries Want To Join Key International Economic Group

During a January 10 address in Washington, Ambassador Constance Morella, the U.S. representative to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), said that more countries have expressed interest in becoming OECD members, which is devoted to assisting sound economic expansion around the world. Morella said that countries which are not currently OECD members see the Paris-based group as an important forum that can help them design and implement policies leading to obtaining more benefits from globalization. As developing countries' economic security and overall well-being improves, so will that of the rest of the world, she said. Morella stated, "The OECD has left an indelible mark on economic development and spans areas as diverse as labor, trade, migration, education, energy, health, industry, taxation and the environment."

View USIS Washington File report

Commerce’s International Trade Administration Welcomes New Senior Officials

In a January 9 press release, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Franklin L. Lavin welcomed three senior officials to the International Trade Administration (ITA). Michelle O’Neill, who is responsible for overseeing ITA’s daily operations, has assumed the position of Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade. David Bohigian is the new Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance (MAC), which helps American firms and workers to obtain market access and ensure that foreign governments fully comply with more than 250 trade agreements. David Spooner is the new Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Import Administration. He will lead the Import Administration in its efforts to enforce trade laws and agreements to protect U.S. businesses from unfair competition within the United States resulting from unfair pricing by foreign companies and unfair subsidies to foreign companies by their governments.

View ITA press release

China Terminates Antidumping Duty Order on Kraft Linerboard

On January 10, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman said he was pleased with China’s decision to repeal its antidumping duty order on kraft linerboard from the United States, following negotiations between the United States and China. Kraft linerboard is a paper product that is used to make corrugated boxes. Portman noted that the United States was on the verge of filing a WTO case “if this issue was not resolved in a satisfactory manner.” In September 2005, China issued a final determination finding that U.S. producers were dumping kraft linerboard in the Chinese market at margins ranging from 12.9% to 65.2%. Various aspects of China’s antidumping investigation and determination appeared to have breached China’s WTO obligations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Antidumping Agreement and the GATT 1994 Agreement.

View USTR press release

Commerce Deputy Secretary Sampson Addresses U.S.-Danish Trade Relations

On January 9, Deputy Commerce Secretary David A. Sampson delivered luncheon remarks at "A Strong U.S.-Danish Relationship in Business Conference" in Charlotte, North Carolina. Sampson stated, "...A strong U.S. economy is good for America and Denmark and the entire global trading system. Trade is not a zero-sum game. If we're growing, our trading partners are growing. If we're creating jobs and wealth, our trading partners are creating jobs and wealth." Sampson observed that opening new markets and insisting on fair trade is another way to help countries adjust to the realities and rigors of the global economy, which is what President Bush did by signing the Central American/Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement and by pushing hard to advance the WTO's Doha Round of trade negotiations. By insisting on fair trade, the United States is leveling the playing field, said Sampson.

View text of Sampson's remarks

U.S. Strengthens Support for Investment in Nicaragua

On January 6, the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and the Nicaraguan investment promotion agency, PRONicaragua, concluded an agreement to help promote U.S. small-business investment in the Central American nation. As part of the agreement, OPIC staff will train PRONicaragua personnel to inform potential U.S. small-business investors of OPIC programs, services and support for various projects. In an OPIC press release, OPIC President Robert Mosbacher Jr. explained the benefits of investing in Nicaragua and Central America, stating, "Nicaragua, and Central America generally, are dynamic emerging markets that U.S. small businesses should consider in their expansion plans. As the region's investment climate continues to improve, lucrative opportunities await American companies that invest now."

View OPIC press release

Protectionism Can Complicate U.S.-China Relations, Snow Says

During January 5 remarks to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Treasury Secretary John Snow warned against protectionism, which he said can jolt financial markets and complicate the Bush administration's efforts to manage a strategic relationship with China. He acknowledged that some Chinese trade and economic policies and practices have continued to create problems for U.S. businesses and caused negative reactions in Congress. Snow stated, “The Chinese do need to clean up their act on intellectual property, they do need to understand that trade is a two-way street, and ... we're not satisfied one bit on the currency issue." At the same time, he cautioned that it is important to resist protectionist pressures and carefully manage the relationship with China in order to make it mutually beneficial. Referring to congressional measures which would penalize China with tariffs for keeping its currency undervalued, the treasury secretary said he is “..very, very, very apprehensive of how markets would react to the sight of the United States, a leading free trade country in the world, in the forefront of opening up markets, going the other way on China." On January 4, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Donohue said his organization will "significantly" expand an international program to stop intellectual property theft, counterfeiting and piracy by disrupting the counterfeiters' supply chain.  He said the group also will conduct other campaigns in China and other countries where IP problems are most severe.

View USIS Washington File report

U.S. Names Intellectual Property Enforcement Chief in Asia

On January 5, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales announced the appointment of federal prosecutor Christopher P. Sonderby to serve as Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordinator (IPLEC) for Asia. Sonderby, an assistant U.S. attorney, has specialized in intellectual property cases at the U.S. Attorney's Offices in San Jose and Sacramento, California.  As IPLEC for Asia, Sonderby will coordinate enforcement in priority areas of Asia from a base in Bangkok, Thailand.  He also will serve as the Justice Department's legal attache for Thailand. The IPLEC position was created in response to recommendations from the Justice Department's Task Force on Intellectual Property, established in 2004 by former Attorney General John Ashcroft to review the department's handling of intellectual property rights enforcement. 

View USIS Washington File report

WTO: Keeping Doha Alive

In a January 6 op-ed article published in the Washington Times, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman wrote that WTO members kept the Doha Round of trade negotiations alive at their Hong Kong ministerial meeting in December when developing nations were given a further stake in the global trading system and progress was made in breaking down barriers to the free flow of agricultural products and manufactured goods and services. In Hong Kong, WTO members also agreed to a 2013 date for ending agricultural export subsidies. Portman noted that the United States will continue to play a leadership role in helping to ensure a successful outcome for the Doha Round by the end of 2006.

View text of Portman article

Central American Free Trade Agreement To Be Implemented on Rolling Basis

In a December 30 statement, USTR spokesperson Stephen Norton said that the United States will implement the Central American/Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) "on a rolling basis" as the signatory countries "make sufficient progress to complete their commitments" under the terms of the trade agreement. In the meantime, said Norton, the CAFTA-DR countries "can continue to enjoy existing trade preferences" until full implementation takes place. Norton added, “The United States will continue to work intensively with CAFTA-DR partners to bring them on board as quickly as possible.”

View USTR press release

Hong Kong Agrees To Open Market to U.S. Beef

On December 29, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johans announced that the United States has reached agreement with Hong Kong for the reopening of Hong Kong's market to U.S. boneless beef from cattle younger than 30 months. With the Hong Kong agreement, the United States has recovered 74 percent of its beef export market that closed down after a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad cow disease, was found in December 2003 in an older U.S. cow imported from Canada. The agreement follows a December 11 announcement by the Agriculture Department that the United States and Japan agreed to reopen Japanese markets to imports of U.S. beef.

View USDA press release

Liberia: Consideration as Least-Developed Beneficiary Developing Country under GSP

On December 29, USTR announced that it is initiating a review to consider Liberia’s designation as a least-developed beneficiary country under the General System of Preferences (GSP) program. USTR is soliciting public comment relating to the designation criteria. Comments are due by January 13, 2006, in accordance with the requirements for submission, as explained in the Federal Register notice.

View Federal Register notice