November 2007 News

U.S.-Japan Telecom Mutual Recognition Agreement Set to Enter into Force

On November 21, the United States and Japan completed the final steps for implementation of a bilateral agreement to facilitate trade in telecommunications equipment and expand opportunities for U.S. certification bodies. United States Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer and Japan Foreign Minister ad interim Nobutaka Machimura exchanged diplomatic notes in Tokyo, signaling completion of the necessary steps for entry into force of the United States-Japan Agreement on Mutual Recognition of the Results of Conformity Assessment Procedures (MRA) for telecommunications equipment on January 1, 2008. This agreement is expected to enhance speed to market, and lower costs in the $2.2 billion trade in telecommunications equipment between the two countries.  Japan is now the fifth largest export market for U.S. telecommunications equipment manufacturers, and this agreement is particularly important, given the innovation and fast-paced growth that characterizes both markets.

View USTR press release

View agreement text

Commerce Department and U.S. Chamber of Commerce to Jointly Promote U.S. Exports

On November 9, the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) in which the two organizations will work together to promote U.S. exports.  The MoA was signed at the National District Export Council conference in Tampa, Fla. by Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Christopher A. Padilla and Dan Christman, the Chamber’s Senior Vice President for International Affairs. Padilla commented, “This agreement will enable us to increase the number of export-ready and new-to-market companies, and will enhance on-site support to better serve exporters.”  The pooling of resources will facilitate the introduction of export-ready companies to potential customers, and will provide them with enhanced benefits such as counseling and overseas market assistance through joint efforts in a number of areas, including cooperating to provide market information, technical assistance, and counseling, as well as referring companies for services provided by other organizations. For more information, visit www.export.gov.

Commerce’s Padilla Promotes U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement

View the text of Acting Under Secretary of Commerce Christopher A. Padilla’s remarks to the 2007 National District Export Council Conference in
Tampa, Florida on November 9, in which he advocated passage of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Noting that 92 percent of Colombia’s exports currently enter the United States duty-free, Padilla said that the agreement would benefit both countries. He stated, “The FTA will help solidify and support many of the important economic and social reforms that President Uribe has made to improve the lives of millions of Colombians who have suffered from decades of violence and insurgency. “ Padilla added that “…defeating the FTA and turning our backs on progress there could actually set back the remarkable economic and social progress made to date.” Such a step “could strengthen the voices of other leaders in Latin America who are taking a different path – whose recipe for governing includes undermining democratic institutions, seizing private property, and destabilizing neighboring countries.” 

Highlighting U.S. Efforts to Protect Intellectual Property

U.S. Coordinator for International Intellectual Property Enforcement Chris Israel testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on November 7, highlighting the successful efforts of the Bush Administration to protect American IP around the world, stating, “A thriving, diversified and competitive economy must protect its intellectual property rights.” Mr. Israel coordinates the efforts of all U.S. Government agencies to protect IP worldwide. Joining Mr. Israel was Kevin O’Connor, Chief of Staff for U.S. Department of Justice, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Chris Moore. Israel underscored the Administration’s commitment “… to stopping intellectual property theft and providing businesses the tools they need to flourish in the global economy.”

View Israel’s testimony

View O’Connor’s testimony

View Moore’s testimony

Gutierrez Commends House Passage of U.S.-Peru Trade Agreement

In a November 8 statement, Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez commended the House of Representatives’ vote to pass the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA). He urged Congress to pass “the pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and Korea in order to give American business the additional tools needed to expand and grow.”

Gutierrez Praises Import Safety Action Plan

In a November 6 press release, Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez praised the action plan of the Interagency Working Group on Import Safety delivered to President Bush. “This Action Plan demonstrates the importance the Administration places on protecting the safety of American consumers [and] identifies an aggressive agenda to prevent harmful products from crossing our borders and potentially reaching the marketplace.” The Secretary is in Vietnam to lead a business development mission to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City designed to expand bilateral trade ties and boost U.S. export opportunities.

View Commerce press release