June 2009 News

Locke Announces First Indian Company to Receive Express Lane Status for U.S.-Indian Trade
Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke announced an important step forward in the strategic partnership between the United States and India during his remarks to the U.S.-India Business Council’s 34th Anniversary “Synergies Summit” on June 17. Locke stated that General Electric India (GE India) has been tapped as the first Indian company to qualify as a validated end-user (VEU) in India, allowing the company to enter a pre-approved, export express lane as a trusted end user. The VEU designation will allow GE India to receive certain controlled items from the United States, including civilian aircraft technology and explosive detection equipment without an individual license, cutting red tape and making the flow of trade more efficient between the countries. That the VEU program was opened for India is an indication of the increased importance of the U.S.-India bilateral and commercial relationship.

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USTR Kirk’s Meeting with Indian Trade Minister Anand Sharma

During their June 17 meeting, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Indian Trade Minister Anand Sharma discussed strengthening the U.S.-India trade relationship. The two first met earlier this month at the 33rd Cairns Group Ministerial meeting in Bali, Indonesia, where they began work on strategies to enhance trade and investment flows between the U.S. and India, and to facilitate greater commercial interaction between U.S. and Indian companies. They committed to continuing high-level interactions on bilateral and multilateral issues – such as the Doha round of world trade talks – on multiple fronts, particularly the U.S.-India Trade Policy Forum. Both trade leaders will consult with public and private stakeholders on how to bring down trade barriers and open markets for exporters.

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USTR Kirk’s Statement on U.S. - Canada Decisions to Recognize Organic Equivalence

On June 17, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk congratulated the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for their decisions to recognize each other's national organic program as equivalent. Ambassador Kirk stated, "This close cooperation is the first of its kind in international organics trade and a real achievement for both countries." The decisions of both national regulatory authorities allow products certified to either U.S. or Canadian standards to be sold or labeled in both countries as organically produced. Under the concurrent equivalence determinations, negotiated by USTR, USDA and CFIA, both the USDA Organic seal and the Canada Organic Biologique logo may be used on certified products from both countries.

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USTR Kirk Announces Plan to Move Forward With Negotiation of Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement

On June 12, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced that the Administration plans to move forward with the negotiation of an Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) to step up the fight against global counterfeiting and piracy. Noting that the Administration has been conducting an overall review of current and pending trade agreements, including ACTA, Ambassador Kirk emphasized that ACTA remains an important part of the U.S. trade agenda and, accordingly, the United States is ready to continue negotiations. The participants in the ACTA negotiations will next meet in Morocco in July to continue their discussions with a goal of reaching an agreement in 2010.

U.S., Mongolia Announce Transparency Agreement Negotiations

During their June 11 meeting, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Mongolia Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Sukhbaatar Batbold announced the launch of negotiations for a United States-Mongolia Transparency Agreement. The announcement followed a June 10 meeting held by General Counsel Timothy Reif and Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Timothy Stratford with Minister Batbold.  The launch of the negotiations with Mongolia represents the first time that the United States has sought to conclude a stand-alone agreement on transparency.  During their discussions, U.S. and Mongolian officials noted the importance of transparency with regard to trade and investment policies and practices, and reiterated the importance of bilateral trade and economic relations and their mutual desire to promote trade cooperation through the U.S.-Mongolia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.

Ambassador Kirk Delivers Keynote Address at U.S.-China Business Council

View the text of U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk’s June 2 remarks to the U.S.-China Business Council. During his address, Kirk discussed the importance of the U.S.-China bilateral trade relationship and the cooperative work of constructing a positive and comprehensive relationship between the U.S. and China. Kirk stated that the U.S. will develop its relationship with China through “direct diplomacy, and strong enforcement of America's rights in the global trading system.” While he restated its commitment to work positively and cooperatively with China, Ambassador Kirk emphasized  that the Administration “…will always put the interests of American businesses and workers at the fore.”

Secretary Locke Meets with Singapore’s Minister of Trade and Industry Lim

During their initial meeting on June 4, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and Singapore Minister of Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang expressed a commitment to strengthening an already robust bilateral commercial relationship, grounded in the extremely successful U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Since implementation of the FTA in January 2004, two-way trade between the United States and Singapore has increased 41 percent, with U.S. exports increasing nearly 74 percent over the same time period.

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Secretary Locke Meets with Mexican Secretary of Economy Mateos

On June 1, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke hosted Mexican Secretary of Economy Gerardo Ruiz Mateos for their first meeting. Secretary Locke and Secretary Ruiz highlighted the importance of U.S.-Mexico trade relations and the need for continued cooperation in strengthening our competitiveness in the region and removing impediments to trade. They agreed to work together on priorities identified by President Obama and President Calderon during their meeting in April in Mexico City, including border infrastructure, customs facilitation and regulatory cooperation. Regarding Mexican concerns over NAFTA trucking, Secretary Locke reiterated his support for a permanent and NAFTA-consistent solution to this issue, stating “the Administration is committed to finding a timely resolution through legislation for a new program that addresses legitimate congressional concerns and satisfies our NAFTA obligations.”

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