March 2006 News

Portman Statement on Russia’s WTO Accession Negotiations

In a March 29 press release, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman rebutted an assertion by Russian President Vladimir Putin that the United States suddenly is making new demands to delay Russia's accession to the WTO. According to published reports, Putin told a group of Russian businessmen that the United States recently transmitted additional negotiation demands on WTO accession issues he considered resolved long ago. Portman said he believes that the two sides are close to concluding bilateral negotiations over accession and asserted that the remaining issues are not new at all. He cited a few commitments that he said Russia still must accept, commitments made by all WTO members -- fair food safety standards, clear customs rules and strong protection for copyrights and other intellectual property rights. In a related development, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told reporters aboard a flight to Berlin March 30 that Russia's accession agreement must conform to WTO rules and be able to "pass congressional scrutiny" to come into force in the United States. Citing problems with poultry and financial services, the Secretary stated, “I think this is an issue of negotiation and trying to get to an outcome that I think both presidents would like to have, which is Russian accession to the WTO."

View USIS Washington File report

View USTR press release

USTR Portman Announces Co-Chairs of China Trade Enforcement Task Force

On March 28, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman announced the co-chairs of a China Enforcement Task Force within USTR. The task force will be co-chaired by Stephen Kho, who is serving as the Acting Chief Counsel for China Enforcement, and Terry McCartin, now the Deputy Assistant United States Trade Representative for China Enforcement. They are joined on the task force by veteran USTR staffers specializing in intellectual property rights, industrial policies, agriculture, services, investment, WTO affairs and textiles, among others. "China is now a mature trading partner, and must live up to its obligations, particularly in the areas of market access and intellectual property rights enforcement," Portman said. "We are ready to use all of the tools available to us to achieve our objectives. That is why we are putting together a top notch team to strengthen our ability to enforce China’s international and bilateral trade obligations." The establishment of the task force follows through on a commitment made in the top-to-bottom review of U.S.-China trade policy unveiled by Ambassador Portman on February 14, 2006.

View USTR press release

Commerce Secretary Urges China To Become an "Innovation Society"

In a March 27 speech to students and business leaders at Chongqing University in southwestern China, Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez said that China has the capacity to foster the culture of innovation that is necessary for economic success, but only if it establishes an environment that allows those who take risks to reap rewards. "This is a time period where the companies and the countries that innovate will be more successful than those that do not," Gutierrez stated. He added that government is responsible for creating that environment, and can do so by establishing "fair, effective and transparent rules" for the judicial and regulatory systems. Gutierrez said he was impressed that China's new five-year plan gave high priority to innovation. Protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) is particularly important in an innovation society, Gutierrez said. He stated that IPR protection "is not just for U.S. companies," dding that “intellectual piracy takes a toll on China's economy. With 1 million new applications for patents and trademarks filed in China in 2005, Gutierrez said, Chinese companies are beginning to recognize that they have a major stake in protecting IPR.

View text of Secretary Gutierrez’s remarks

USTR Portman’s Letter to Speaker Hastert Regarding Intent to Negotiate FTA with Malaysia

In a letter to Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman notified the Congress of President Bush’s intention to initiate negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Malaysia. Portman expects these negotiations to begin by May 2006. Malaysia is the United States’ 10th largest trading partner, with $44.2 billion in annual trade in 2005. According to Portman, an FTA with Malaysia would give U.S. exports comparable treatment to that which Malaysia affords goods from its ASEAN and other trading partners with which it has or currently is negotiating preferential trade agreements, including China, Japan, India, Australia, and New Zealand. Noting Malaysia’s “high piracy rates for optical media” and that it is a “substantial exporter of counterfeit and pirated product,” Portman stated that the United States ”…will seek to include provisions that bring Malaysia’s intellectual property and customs regimes up to the standards set in our other recent FTAs.”

View text of Portman’s letter

U.S. Files WTO Case Against China Over Treatment of U.S. Auto Parts

On March 30, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman announced that the United States requested WTO dispute settlement consultations with China due to its unfair treatment of U.S. auto parts. He noted that the United States “has raised this issue repeatedly and sought repeal of these measures, [but] the problem has not yet been resolved." Portman added, "We hope the filing of our request for consultations will lead to a speedy resolution of this issue." The U.S. is joined in this WTO action by the European Union, who will continue their close coordination in seeking to resolve this dispute with China. China’s taxes on imported auto parts discourage automobile manufacturers in China from using imported auto parts in the assembly of vehicles. Increasing access to China’s auto market was a key issue in China’s accession to the WTO. In its WTO accession agreement, China expressly committed to eliminate all local content requirements and to lower and bind its tariffs on auto parts, but China’s new regulations appear to contradict these obligations.

View USTR Press Release

WTO Talks Losing Momentum, Portman Says

During his March 22 remarks to an agribusiness group, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman expressed concern that hope for forward movement in WTO talks is somewhat fading. This is happening, he explained, because other countries have not matched ambitious U.S. proposals on trade-distorting subsidies and agricultural tariffs. The European Union made a counterproposal that analyses showed would produce little or no additional market access. In light of the April 30 deadline for establishing modalities -- ways to proceed to the next step, with broad outlines for final commitments -- the negotiations are at a "crucial time," Portman said. He said he views April 30 as the "real" deadline because, without progress on the modalities, negotiators will not be able to meet another important target -- concluding the Doha round by the end of 2006. If negotiators miss the 2006 deadline, Portman said, it would be difficult to know when the Bush administration could implement any WTO agreement reached. Separately, in a March 22 briefing in Geneva, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Peter Allgeier said that FTAs complement multilateral efforts to bring down trade barriers rather than undercut U.S. ability to participate fully in the multilateral negotiations. The United States is selecting free-trade negotiating partners that have a "clear, consistent commitment to WTO-based trade liberalization," he said. "There may be obstacles facing the Doha Development Agenda, but U.S. free trade agreements are not among them," Allgeier said.

View USIS Washington File report

WTO Rules Against Mexico's Taxes on U.S. Sweetened Drinks

On March 24, a WTO appellate body upheld a WTO panel's earlier finding that Mexico discriminates against U.S. exporters of sweeteners and beverages made with those sweeteners. Mexico must cease taxing the sale and distribution of soft drinks and other beverages made with sweeteners such as high-fructose corn syrup and beet sugar, the body said. While the United States welcomed the decision, it is "troubled" that Mexico's Congress has decided to renew the beverage tax for 2006 or impose "prohibitive" tariffs on U.S. high-fructose imports, according to a March 24 statement from the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in Geneva. "The panel's report is clear indication that Mexico must eliminate its discrimination," the statement said. "The United States finds it difficult to conceive how Mexico could do so without eliminating its beverage tax," it said.

View text of U.S. Mission statement

United States, European Union Sign Enlargement Compensation Agreement

On March 22, the United States and the EU signed a bilateral trade agreement in Geneva on a comprehensive package of EU trade concessions to compensate the United States for tariff increases that resulted from the EU’s May 2004 enlargement. The agreement reduces several EU agricultural and industrial tariffs to offset increases that occurred when the 10 countries that acceded to the EU in 2004 were required to change their tariff schedules to conform to the EU's common external tariff schedule. Under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the United States is entitled to compensation from the EU to offset some of those changes. A USTR press release said that another element of the agreement--the expansion of tariff-rate quotas--enhances and strengthens market-access opportunities for certain U.S exports to the EU market. Implementation of the EU concessions is to go into effect no later than July 1.

View USTR press release

Asian Nations Priority Trade Partners for U.S., Official Says

In March 16 remarks to the Asia-Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce in Manila, the Philippines, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Karan Bhatia said that where economic issues are concerned, the United States gives more attention to Asia than to any other region in the world. Bhatia said that trade relationships between the United States and Asian nations are strong and growing. He stated that the United States is engaged closely with its Asian trading partners in a variety of negotiations and cooperative initiatives to increase trade and investment, and also works to liberalize trade through regional entities such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. He noted, however, that efforts to strengthen and deepen trade relations with Asian partners face significant challenges. For example, Bhatia observed that negotiations for "meaningful, high-quality" free-trade agreements are difficult and complex, and often require political courage on both sides, because modern diversified economies have concerns that reach far beyond tariff rates.

View transcript of Bhatia's remarks

Commerce Secretary Gutierrez Applauds Signing of Tough Anti-Piracy Legislation

On March 17, Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez applauded the signing of H.R. 32, the "Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act" that significantly strengthens U.S. piracy laws. The Secretary commented, "The signing of H.R. 32 demonstrates the Bush administration’s commitment to protecting American businesses, workers and consumers from fake goods." He added, "This administration is committed to helping U.S. businesses remain competitive by protecting intellectual property so that American ingenuity remains a driving force in the United States and the world’s economy."

View Commerce press release

U.S. Commerce Secretary Says China Economic Ties Under Scrutiny

In his March 14 remarks to the Asia Society, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez warned that the United States might be forced to reassess its economic relationship with China if Beijing fails to address economic frictions between the two countries quickly and effectively. While espousing the benefits of bilateral trade for both countries, the Secretary said the potential to increase trade and related benefits increasingly is being overshadowed by the large U.S. trade deficit with China that in 2005 exceeded $200 billion. He singled out the insufficient protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) as an area of great concern to the U.S. business community, Congress and the administration, stating, “The theft of music and movies in China is the norm and the legitimate sale of these items is the exception." The Secretary stated that if the Chinese government refuses or fails to act quickly, the U.S. Congress might "go down a path that none of us want," that is "build protectionist barriers around the U.S. market." Gutierrez apparently referred to a number of bills moving through Congress that would penalize China economically for widespread intellectual property theft and an exchange rate policy that puts exporters to that country at a disadvantage.

View text of Secretary Gutierrez's remarks

U.S. Boosting IPR Enforcement in China, Commerce Official Says

In his March 8 testimony before a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation subcommittee, Chris Israel, coordinator for international intellectual property enforcement at the U.S. Department of Commerce, said that the U.S. Government is committed to stopping intellectual property theft in China and to protecting the rights of American businesses and innovators. Epidemic counterfeiting and piracy in China have become an enormous challenge for U.S. businesses, Israel stated. "Our industry reports that infringement levels in China range from 85 to 95 percent for all copyrighted works, and in 2005 the value of copyrighted works that were pirated exceeded $2.3 billion," he noted. Israel said combating piracy and counterfeiting is a top priority for the Bush administration. Israel stated the U.S. government strategy to confront Chinese counterfeiting and piracy is built on four pillars: engagement through the bilateral consultative mechanism of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT); effective use of trade tools, such as the Special 301 review process for effectiveness of IPR enforcement; expanded law enforcement cooperation built on the existing U.S.-China Joint Liaison Group; and Cooperation with the private sector, which serves as the "eyes and ears" for government enforcement efforts. Noting that the next JCCT meeting is scheduled for April 11, just before the scheduled visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to Washington, Israel stated that the USG must review the status of a comprehensive set of commitments that the Chinese government made in the 2005 JCCT meeting, including increasing criminal prosecutions for IPR violations. While acknowledging recent positive developments, such as encouraging statements from Chinese President Hu and Vice Premier Wu Yi, a few favorable court rulings and a Chinese government initiative to set up 50 reporting centers for IPR violations across the country, Israel stated, "So far, China has not lived up to its responsibility to effectively enforce intellectual property rights."

View text of Israel's statement

U.S., United Arab Emirates Postpone Free-Trade Negotiations

On March 9, USTR announced that the United States and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) postponed free-trade agreement (FTA) negotiations but have not indicated whether the delay is related to the decision by a Dubai-owned company to sell its U.S. port holdings. "The U.S. and UAE are strongly committed to making progress on our FTA negotiations," Neena Moorjani, spokeswoman for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), said in a statement. She said the two countries continue to work on negotiating issues but need more time to prepare for the next round of negotiations, which began a year ago. Moorjani said the delay is not unusual, adding, “Just in the past few months, we've postponed rounds with Ecuador three times, Panama twice and Colombia once." According to published reports, the U.S.-U.A.E. FTA negotiations have resolved most of the market access issues but still must grapple with U.A.E. restrictions on investment and financial services. The United States and U.A.E. neighbor Oman already has concluded an FTA, which Congress is expected to consider in coming months.

View USIS Washington File report

United States and European Community Reach Agreement on Trade in Wine

On March 10, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman and EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Mariann Fischer Boel signed a bilateral agreement on wine-making practices and labeling of wine that will facilitate bilateral trade in wine valued at $2.8 billion annually. The Agreement, which is effective immediately, provides for mutual acceptance of existing wine-making practices and addresses a number of labeling issues, helping to create marketing certainty for U.S. and EU wine exporters. Since 1983, the EU has been renewing short-term derogations from their regulations for U.S. wine made using practices not recognized by the EU; the temporary nature of these derogations created continuous uncertainty for U.S. wine exporters. This wine agreement is intended to replace these derogations and provide stable market conditions for the wine sector.

View USTR press release

United States, Malaysia Announce Intention to Negotiate Free Trade Agreement

On March 8, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman announced the Administration’s intent to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Malaysia, with the goal of removing tariffs and non-tariff barriers and expanding trade between the countries. Portman stated, "Malaysia has been at the forefront of the economic dynamism transforming Asia in recent years... Combined with a new trade opening agreement, Malaysia’s rapidly growing economy will help generate meaningful export opportunities for our workers, service providers, and farmers." The United States is Malaysia’s largest trading partner and the largest foreign investor in Malaysia; U.S. exports to Malaysia totaled $10.5 billion in 2005.

View USTR press release

USTR Portman Applauds Swift Passage of Ukraine Bill in House

On March 8, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman thanked the House of Representatives for its swift passage of a bill to authorize the extension of normal trade relations treatment to the products of Ukraine and terminate the Jackson-Vanik Amendment. Portman commented, "I appreciate this rapid and bipartisan effort. It sends a positive and strong signal to our Ukrainian partners who have instituted reforms that increase transparency, provide greater intellectual property protections and stronger enforcement of the rule of law." This step clears the way for the two countries to apply the WTO Agreement between them when Ukraine becomes a WTO member.

View USTR press release

USTR Portman, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile Review U.S.-Australia FTA

On March 7, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman met with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Mark Vaile for the first annual review of the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which entered into force on January 1, 2005. Portman commented, "I am pleased with the success of our FTA so far. After only one year, the U.S.-Australia FTA has expanded trade in goods and services, benefiting the citizens of both countries." In addition to reviewing the results of the FTA so far, the two sides discussed ongoing implementation and other issues. Portman urged Vaile to continue to work to ensure further progress on agriculture, telecommunications, and intellectual property rights issues. He also discussed with the Australian Government the need for transparent pharmaceuticals pricing processes consistent with the commitments in the agreement. Portman and Vaile also had the opportunity to discuss the ongoing WTO Doha Round talks. "I appreciate Minister Vaile’s continued leadership in the Doha negotiations, particularly in the area of agriculture, and I look forward to our continued efforts to help promote and achieve an ambitious outcome," Portman said.

View USTR press release

United States and Ukraine Sign Bilateral WTO Accession Agreement on Market Access

On March 6, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman and Ukrainian Minister of Economy Arseniy Yatsenyuk formally signed a bilateral agreement on market access issues as part of Ukraine’s WTO accession negotiations. This agreement is a major step towards Ukraine’s completion of its accession negotiations. Ukraine’s tariff commitments in the agreement include eventual duty free entry of information technology, e.g., computers and semiconductors, and aircraft products and harmonization of tariffs on chemical imports at very low or zero rates of duty. The bilateral agreement also addressed concerns related to specific sanitary and phytosanitary measures of priority to U.S. exporters, shelf-life standards, protection of undisclosed information for pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals (as required by the WTO), imports of information technology products with encryption, the operation of state- owned firms based on commercial considerations, and reduction of export duties on non-ferrous and steel scrap. Congressional action is necessary to terminate application of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment to Ukraine. This will clear the way for the two countries to apply the WTO Agreement between them when Ukraine becomes a WTO member.

View USTR press release

View USTR fact sheet on agreement

United States and Mexico Sign Landmark Agreement on Cement

On March 6, Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman and Mexico’s Secretary of Economy Sergio Garcia de Alba to sign the U.S.-Mexico Agreement on Cement. The agreement successfully resolves the 16-year dispute over the U.S. antidumping duty order on imports of gray portland cement from Mexico. Secretary Gutierrez commented, "The Agreement contains provisions that will help increase access to the Mexican market for U.S. cement producers, and it also ensures that our Gulf Coast communities will have the resources necessary to rebuild.” The agreement settles all litigation regarding outstanding claims for duties before U.S. and international courts, and divides between the parties the deposits of estimated antidumping duties. It also establishes a limit of three million metric tons of imports of Mexican cement to enter the United States at an antidumping duty rate of $3 per metric ton, and allows for an increase in the event of disasters.

View Commerce press release

United States Welcomes Step by Malaysia to Open Market to U.S. Beef and Beef Products

On March 7, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman applauded Malaysia’s reopening of its market to U.S. boneless beef and beef products from animals under 30 months of age, which Portman called “…a good first step toward resuming normal U.S. beef trade with Malaysia.” Portman added, "We now urge the Malaysian government to fully restore U.S. beef exports by further expansion of product coverage and exporter eligibility so that additional types of quality U.S. beef can be enjoyed by Malaysian consumers." Malaysia has prohibited imports of U.S. beef and beef products since December 2003, following the detection of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in a cow of Canadian origin in Washington State. Malaysia joins Mexico, Hong Kong and South Korea in reopening their markets to U.S. beef/beef products exports.

View USTR press release

U.S. Wins Mexico Beverage Tax Dispute

On March 6, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman announced that the WTO Appellate Body found in favor of the United States in its challenge of Mexico’s discriminatory beverage tax. Under the tax, soft drinks made with imported sweeteners, such as high-fructose corn syrup and beet sugar, are subject to a 20 percent tax on their sale and distribution. Beverages made with Mexican cane sugar are tax-exempt. Commenting on the decision, Portman stated, “It is clear that Mexico must eliminate this tax and restore fairness for our U.S. corn growers and refiners. We hope Mexico sees this decision as we do, as an opportunity to work together to quickly resolve all outstanding sweetener trade issues between us."

View USTR press release

Deputy U.S. Trade Representative's Testimony on U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement

On March 6, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab testified to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee regarding the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement (FTA). She noted that, in addition to providing new market access opportunities for U.S. farmers, manufacturers, and service providers, the agreement will be an important force in encouraging increased direct foreign investment in Oman and in creating an economic environment conducive to additional employment opportunities for the people of Oman. It will also help support ongoing economic, political and social reforms in Oman, and promote the benefits of pursuing market liberalizing policies in other countries in the region. The Administration's trade agenda is a fundamental part of the President's vision of developing economic growth and democracy in the Middle East.

View text of Schwab's statement

CAFTA/DR "Road Shows" Educate Florida Businesses

Briefings about the U.S. free-trade agreement with Central America and the Dominican Republic (CAFTA/DR) are being held in several Florida cities and in some of the countries covered by the pact, thanks to the U.S. Department of Commerce and Enterprise Florida. Enterprise Florida (which participates in the Trade Compliance Center’s Compliance Liaison Program), a partnership between the Florida state government and Florida business leaders, announced March 1 that the "road shows" about CAFTA/DR feature presentations by commercial officers and trade experts from the U.S. public and private sectors. The shows, which are intended to help businesses and entrepreneurs capitalize on the opportunities offered by CAFTA/DR, are designed to increase trade between Florida and the countries party to the agreement. Presentations about CAFTA-DR will be held in the Florida cities of Miami, St. Petersburg, Orlando and Jacksonville. Enterprise Florida said that collectively, the six other CAFTA/DR nations are Florida's Number 1 trading partner. The presentations are intended to illustrate how the CAFTA/DR nations can expand trade with Florida. More information about the CAFTA/DR road shows, including specific dates, is available on the Enterprise Florida Web site.

View USIS Washington File report

Commerce Secretary Gutierrez Makes Surprise Visit To Afghanistan

Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez visited Kabul, Afghanistan on February 28 to reaffirm the strong economic and commercial relationship between Afghanistan and the United States. The visit reinforces the Bush Administration’s long-term commitment to work with the Afghan people to create economic opportunities and develop a private sector that will drive Afghanistan’s economic growth. Secretary Gutierrez met with President Hamid Karzai and applauded the President’s leadership in overcoming the devastation left by more than 20 years of conflict. During his meeting with President Karzai, Secretary Gutierrez emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Afghan strategic partnership which will assist Afghanistan in creating jobs and other economic opportunities, and increase commerce between U.S. and Afghan companies. During his visit to Kabul, the Secretary assessed the Afghan government’s efforts to open its market to foreign investment. He met with Afghan Commerce Minister Hedayat Amin Arsala to discussed the U.S.-Afghan commercial partnership, and held a roundtable on trade, investment and private sector development with members of Parliament, representatives of cabinet ministries and U.S. and Afghan companies.

View Commerce press release

Bush Administration Submits Annual Trade Report To Congress

On March 1, the Bush Administration submitted to Congress the 2006 Trade Policy Agenda and the 2005 Annual Report of the President on the Trade Agreements Program. The 2006 report details the many benefits of trade for U.S. businesses, farmers and ranchers, service providers and consumers, reviews the Administration’s accomplishments of 2005, and lays out its ambitious agenda for 2006. One of the top priorities for 2006 is conclusion of the Doha Development Round by the end of the year. Portman also emphasized the importance of successfully concluding bilateral and regional agreements in 2006, and said trade rules must be fair and aggressively enforced. Regarding China, Portman pledged to work with Congress, other government agencies and the private sector on proposals, which were included in a top-to-bottom review of U.S. trade policies China, to better monitor and enforce China’s compliance with its obligations as a WTO member.

View USTR press release

View 2006 Trade Policy Agenda/2005 Annual Report

United States and Ukraine Conclude Bilateral WTO Accession Agreement on Market Access

On March 1, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman announced that the United States and Ukraine have concluded bilateral negotiations on market access issues related to Ukraine’s WTO accession. Trade Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk will join Portman in Washington on March 6, 2006 to formally sign the agreement. Commenting on the agreement, Portman stated that “It confirms Ukraine’s commitment to broad-based reform and economic liberalization” and “demonstrates Ukraine’s resolve to join the international trading system." Ukraine has been negotiating its terms of accession to the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade (GATT), and then to the WTO, since 1994, and is still negotiating bilateral market access agreements with eight other countries. The United States is continuing to work with other accession candidates, including Russia and Vietnam, and hopes to conclude these bilateral agreements in the near future.

View USTR press release

Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez's Statement on U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement

View the text of Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez's statement on the conclusion of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, which he said "... will advance economic growth and prosperity between our two countries and is an essential component in building political stability in our hemisphere."

Commerce Secretary Gutierrez Visits Middle East

Commerce Secretary Gutierrez is visiting the Middle East February 24-March 2 to encourage economic reform and promote stronger commercial relationships with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt. The Secretary's visit comes on the heels of Saudi Arabia's accession to the WTO and President Bush's signature of a Free Trade Agreement with Bahrain. The President has made it a goal to help advance economic reforms in the Middle East and establish a Middle East Free Trade Agreement (MEFTA) by 2013.

View Commerce press release

Commerce Secretary Gutierrez's Statement on Implementation of CAFTA/DR in El Salvador

View the text of Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez's comments on El Salvador's implementation of the Central American/Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA/DR). The Secretary stated, "I congratulate the people of El Salvador on this historic agreement and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship for American workers and the people of El Salvador."