August 2008 News

Gutierrez and Schwab Announce 25th Anniversary Meeting of the U.S.-China JCCT

On August 15, Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez and U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab announced that the 19th session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) will be held the week of September 15th, 2008, at the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace Foundation in Yorba Linda, California. This JCCT session will be co-chaired on the U.S. side by Schwab and Gutierrez and on the Chinese side by Vice Premier Wang Qishan. Secretary of Agriculture Edward T. Schafer will also participate in the meetings. Commenting on the JCCT, Secretary Gutierrez stated, “We have a strong interest in working with China to address the wide range of trade and economic issues that affect the lives of American workers, businesses, and farmers.” Recent accomplishments of the JCCT include China’s commitment to take steps to combat trade in counterfeit drugs and to reduce the regulatory burdens for medical devices imported into China, which U.S. industry estimates will save tens of millions of dollars.

USITC Releases The Year in Trade 2007

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) released The Year in Trade 2007, its annual overview of the previous year's trade-related activities, on August 4. The report is one of the government's most comprehensive reports of U.S. trade-related activities, covering major multilateral, regional, and bilateral developments. The publication provides a practical review of U.S. international trade laws and actions in 2007, a summary of WTO operations, and an overview of U.S. free trade agreements and negotiations and of U.S. bilateral trade relations with major trading partners. It includes complete listings of antidumping, countervailing duty, safeguard, intellectual property rights infringement, and section 301 cases undertaken by the U.S. government in 2007. Statistical tables highlight U.S. bilateral trade with major trading partners and trade under U.S. trade preference programs. In addition, data on U.S. private services trade are included in this edition of the report.

View USITC press release

Gutierrez Calls U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement a “Win-Win for Both Countries”

On August 12, Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez responded to questions submitted by the public in “Ask the White House,” an online, interactive forum. The Secretary took questions, explaining the purpose and benefits of a free trade agreement, particularly those pending with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. “Now more than ever, these FTAs are critical to America’s continued growth and competitiveness,” Gutierrez said.

View “Ask the White House” transcript

Korea-United States Summit Statement; Importance of Approving Korea-U.S. FTA

On August 6, Korean President Lee Myung-bak and U.S. President George W. Bush held a summit meeting in Seoul. During their meeting, the two leaders had in-depth discussions on the development of the ROK-U.S. Alliance, the approval of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), the North Korean nuclear issue and other North Korea-related issues, and ways to expand cooperation on important bilateral, regional and global issues. The two Presidents reaffirmed that the KORUS FTA will boost trade, increase economic growth and create jobs in both the United States and Korea, while also adding an enduring economic pillar to both countries' bilateral partnership. Toward that end, the two Presidents committed themselves to working with their respective legislatures to approve the KORUS FTA as soon as possible.

View Statement of the ROK-U.S. Summit

Gutierrez Announces 2008 Americas Competitiveness Forum Participants

Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez announced August 6 that Presidents Uribe of Colombia, Colom of Guatemala, and Saca of El Salvador will attend the second annual Americas Competitiveness Forum (ACF), co-hosted with Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin on August 17-19. More than 20 nations from the Western Hemisphere will be represented in Atlanta by high-ranking government officials. “I’m honored that President Uribe, President Colom, President Saca and other distinguished guests will join me to discuss the importance of global competitiveness,” Gutierrez said. Confirmed private sector participants include Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO, Research In Motion, and Carl Schramm, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

View Commerce press release

USTR Statement Regarding Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement Negotiations

View the text of a USTR press release regarding the July 29-31 negotiations on

an Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), during which the participants reaffirmed their goal to combat global infringements of intellectual property rights. Discussions focused on civil remedies for infringements of intellectual property rights, including such issues as availability of preliminary measures, preservation of evidence, damages, and legal fees and costs. Participants also continued their previous discussions of border enforcement of intellectual property rights.