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Recent News 4/30/08
4/23/08
4/23/08 Summit Statement by North American Leaders View the text of the April 22 statement released by President Bush, Premier Harper of Canada and President Calderon of Mexico after their summit meeting in New Orleans, where they met to discuss how to keep North America “secure, prosperous, and competitive in today's global environment. “ To make the North American economies more competitive, the three countries “are working to make our regulations more compatible, which will support integrated supply chains and reduce the cost of goods traded within North America. “ The parties are also advancing their Intellectual Property Strategy to protect inventors, authors, performers, and have forged stronger relationships to support more effective law enforcement efforts to combat the trade of counterfeit and pirated goods. To strengthen energy security and protect the environment, the partners are seeking to develop a framework for harmonization of energy efficiency standards, and sharing technical information to improve the North American energy market. They are also increasing cooperation and information sharing on the safety of food and products, and are working to make their food and product safety standards more compatible. 4/23/08
4/23/08 Commerce Secretary Gutierrez Announces 2008 National Summit on American Competitiveness On April 22, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez announced that the Department of Commerce will convene the second national meeting of premier leaders from business, government, and academia to discuss what steps the public and private sectors can take to secure America’s position as the most competitive economy in the 21st century. The 2008 National Summit on American Competitiveness will be held May 22 at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. Secretary Gutierrez stated, “Increasingly America’s prosperity is linked to our highly competitive economy…This summit will explore entrepreneurship and free trade as mechanisms for strengthening America’s leadership in the worldwide marketplace.” The summit also will highlight the accomplishments of top state and local leaders who have successfully driven economic transformations in their regions to bolster competitiveness in global markets. 4/21/08
In an April 18 statement, Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez called Korea’s announced reopening of its market to all U.S. beef “an important step forward for the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement.” He added, “Now that this issue has been resolved, we must find a way forward on this vital agreement.” According to the Secretary, the United States expects beef exports to exceed $815 million (the value of beef exports in 2003-- the last full year before the ban was implemented). 4/18/08 USTR Schwab Welcomes Full Reopening of Korean Market to U.S. Beef On April 18, U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab welcomed the agreement to fully reopen South Korea’s market to U.S. beef exports consistent with international standards and World Animal Health Organization (OIE) guidelines. Schwab noted, “With this full resumption of U.S. beef exports to South Korea, the major obstacle to Congressional consideration of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) is removed. The Administration will now work in earnest with Congress and the U.S. agriculture, manufacturing, and services sectors to pass the KORUS FTA.” Schwab added her hope that “South Korea’s leadership on this issue will convince leaders in Japan, Taiwan, China and other markets still maintaining unscientific, unreasonable restrictions on U.S. beef and beef products to take a hard look at this issue, consider the benefits for their consumers, and follow South Korea’s lead in reopening their markets based on internationally recognized scientific guidelines and standards.” 4/18/08 Gutierrez Highlights Importance of U.S.-Korea Partnership at Dinner Honoring New Korean President View transcript of Gutierrez’s remarks 4/16/08 President Bush Meets with Cabinet, Discusses Economy, Colombia Free Trade Agreement On April 14, Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez joined Cabinet members for a meeting with President Bush at the White House. A top agenda item was the Colombia free trade agreement. “This free trade agreement is good for American workers and it's good for American consumers,” the President said. “And this free trade agreement is in our national interests. Yet that bill is dead unless the Speaker schedules a definite vote,” an action that Mr. Bush characterized as “unprecedented.” View transcript of President Bush’s remarks 4/10/08 USTR Schwab Announces Results of Annual Section 1377 Review On April 8, U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab announced the results of the 2008 annual review of the operation and effectiveness of telecommunications trade agreements under Section 1377 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (“1377 Review”). The 1377 Review identifies barriers facing U.S. telecommunications service and equipment suppliers, evaluates progress towards resolving ongoing problems, and lays out specific telecommunications-related issues on which USTR will focus its efforts this year. This year’s 1377 Review focuses on country-specific concerns, as well as more general issues of concern. Country-specific concerns include: access to Telstra’s telecommunications network in Australia; impediments to market access in China, including high capitalization requirements and limits on joint venture partnerships; and telecom equipment- testing requirements in Mexico. This year’s 1377 Review also identifies general issues of concern in several countries, including regulatory frameworks that hinder the development of competitive telecommunications markets and continued barriers to use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. In addition to the problems identified in this year’s 1377 Review, USTR also marked progress in key markets on issues identified in past years’ reviews, including: (1) Colombia, which drastically reduced its high licensing fee for long distance service that had long served as a barrier to market entry; and, (2) India, which eliminated its Access Deficit Charge, a fee that increased the costs to U.S. carriers sending telecommunications traffic to India. 4/7/08 President Bush Signs Implementing Legislation for Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement On April 7, President Bush signed a letter to Congress that will transmit legislation to implement the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. The President stated, “This agreement will advance America's national security interests in a critical region. It will strengthen a courageous ally in our hemisphere. It will help America's economy and America's workers at a vital time. It deserves bipartisan support from the United States Congress.” In a statement regarding the President’s action, Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez said that it “…underscores the importance of trade to the U.S. economy and comes with the Administration’s commitment to continue our dialogue with Congress on the renewal and improvement of Trade Adjustment Assistance.” He added, “This Agreement will strengthen democracy throughout the Hemisphere. It will show the Colombian people, and millions across the region, that America supports nations that choose democracy, rule of law, and free enterprise over the empty promises of false populism and isolationism.” 4/7/08 United States and Ukraine Sign Trade and Investment Cooperation Agreement On April 1, U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab and Ukrainian Minister of Economy Bohdan Danylyshyn signed a Trade and Investment Cooperation Agreement (TICA) that will provide a forum to address trade issues and help build trade and investment relations between the United States and Ukraine. Ambassador Schwab commented, “The agreement will provide an important tool for both parties to strengthen the already robust trade and investment relationship between our two countries, and will assist Ukraine’s efforts to expand its economy and diversify its markets.” The TICA provides for the formation of a joint U.S.-Ukraine Council on Trade and Investment, which will address a wide range of trade and investment issues including market access, intellectual property, labor, and environmental issues. The Council will also help to increase commercial and investment opportunities by identifying and working to remove impediments to trade and investment flows between the United States and Ukraine. This agreement is substantially similar to the Trade and Investment Framework Agreements (TIFAs) that the United States has negotiated with a number of trading partners. 4/2/08 Panel Finds EU Ban on Hormones Remains WTO-Inconsistent On March 31, U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab announced that a WTO dispute settlement panel has found that the 2003 amended ban by the EU on beef from certain hormone-treated cattle continues to be scientifically unjustified. The panel found that the ban fails to satisfy the requirements of the WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and that the scientific studies cited by the EU do not support the position of the EU. Schwab stated that “resolution of this dispute will benefit not only U.S. cattle producers and beef exporters, but also EU importers and consumers.” The dispute over the EU ban on beef from animals administered certain growth promoting hormones dates back to 1996 and is one of the longest-standing disputes in the history of the WTO. 3/31/08
3/13/08 Secretary Gutierrez Highlights Commerce Department’s Role in American Competitiveness In his testimony before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on March 13, Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez highlighted the broad range of important issues in which the Department of Commerce is engaged. “Over the next year, the Department will continue to focus on American competitiveness, measuring American life, growing American exports and protecting America’s environment.” The Secretary urged passage of pending free trade agreements (FTAs) in order to continue the United States’ record export growth and “…maintain its posture as a leader in the global economy, committed to breaking down economic barriers and engaging with countries around the world.” 3/13/08 President Bush Urges Passage of U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement During his remarks to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on March 12, President Bush urged Congress to pass trade agreements, particularly the U.S. Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA), that advance the economic and national security interests of the United States and show the Colombian people that democracy and free enterprise lead to a better life. The President stated that, as Congress moves forward the Colombian TPA and other free trade agreements, the United States “…will continue to press for an ambitious, successful Doha Round at the WTO.” Mr. Bush noted, however, that the United States “…[is] not going to make unilateral concessions,” as it desires “meaningful contributions” by all WTO members. View fact sheet on Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement 3/12/08 Commerce Department’s ITA Releases Video on Benefits of Colombia FTA 3/4/08
3/3/08 President Bush Extends Andean Trade Preferences In a statement issued February 29, the White House announced that President Bush signed legislation to extend the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) until December 31, 2008. The brief extension of ATPA approved by the President will provide time to implement the U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and for Congress to take up and approve the U.S.-Colombia FTA. These FTAs will provide U.S. businesses, farmers, ranchers, and workers with duty-free access to Peru and Colombia that exporters from those countries already enjoy in the U.S. market under ATPA. At the same time, the USG remains concerned by actions of the governments of Bolivia and Ecuador, including with respect to the treatment of U.S. investors. The USG expects to see significant progress on these areas of concern during the ten-month extension period, and looks forward to engaging Congress and these governments in discussions regarding their continued eligibility under this program. 3/3/08
3/3/08 USTR Announces Agreement on Extension of Time for Costa Rica to Join CAFTA-DR On February 27, U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab released a statement announcing a multi-party agreement that will provide more time for Costa Rica to join the Dominican Republic – Central America – United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). Schwab announced that the United States and its five CAFTA-DR partners (the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) have agreed to give Costa Rica until October 1, 2008 to complete the legislative and regulatory steps required to join the CAFTA-DR. She stated, “The Administration is committed to ensuring that our free trade agreement partners take the steps necessary to meet their obligations. We will continue to work closely with the Costa Rican government to complete the appropriate implementing measures.” 2/29/08 Joint Statement by Ministers Responsible for Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America View the text of the statement issued by the ministers responsible for the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America after their February 27-28 meeting in Los Cabos, Mexico. During their meeting, they reviewed progress on the five priorities identified by leaders in Montebello (competitiveness; safe food and products; energy and environment; smart and secure borders; and emergency management and preparedness) and to discuss cooperative approaches to common challenges and opportunities. The ministers reaffirmed “(their)... commitment to the objectives of the SPP... (They) are convinced that greater cooperation and coordination will bring benefits to our countries.” 2/27/08 Secretary Gutierrez to Lead Fourth Congressional Delegation to Colombia 2/26/08
2/26/08 Gutierrez Underlines Importance of Free Trade Agreements to Expanding Exports In his remarks to the 2008 National Potato Council Public Policy Conference on February 25, Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez highlighted the importance of exports and opening new markets in order to promote America’s economic health. Stating that “free trade agreements (FTAs) are the best way to help our exporters break into new markets,” he specifically noted pending FTAs with Colombia, Panama and South Korea as immediate opportunities for growth. Regarding FTAs, the Secretary stated, “Through these agreements we’ve had significant results; however we must continue to push for the access our farmers deserve.” 2/20/08 Gutierrez Urges Passage of Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement to Maintain Export Momentum On February 14, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez announced that U.S. exports for 2007 reached record-breaking levels (up 12.2 percent in 2007),and stressed the need to continue export momentum by opening up new markets and passing the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. Gutierrez noted that many Colombian goods such as Valentine’s Day flowers come to the United States duty free, while U.S. products that support the flower industry face tariffs upon entering the Colombian market. Mr. Gutierrez stated that the U.S.’s annual trade deficit declined for the first time since 2001, adding that “U.S. exports continued to grow at record pace in 2007, more than doubling the pace of import growth.” View report on U.S.-Colombia flower industry 2/20/08 Gutierrez Travels to Middle East to Attend Investment Conference, Visit Iraq and Jordan During his February 9-11 visit to the Middle East, Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez met with Iraqi and U.S. business leaders to collaborate on ways to strengthen Iraq’s economy and to build upon recent security gains that have resulted from the U.S. troop surge. “There is no better time than now for economic liberalization and the growth of the Iraqi private sector,” Gutierrez said. “We are committed to working with our Iraqi counterparts to attract private investment into the country because an economically prosperous Iraq will advance hope and peace in Iraq.” The Secretary traveled to the region to attend the U.S.-Middle East and North Africa Trade and Investment Conference at the Dead Sea, which built upon President Bush’s January Middle East visit, during which he highlighted the value of continued economic liberalization to create jobs, prosperity and hope for the people of the region. He also visited Jordan, where he met with his economic and trade counterparts to discuss expanding trade and investment as well as visit a public-private partnership that is improving educational opportunities throughout the Middle East. 2/20/08 Administration Issues Annual Intellectual Property Report On February 11, U.S. Coordinator for International Intellectual Property Enforcement Chris Israel released the administration’s Annual Report to the President and Congress on Coordination of Intellectual Property Enforcement and Protection. The Annual Report conveys the yearly accomplishments and establishes priorities for the upcoming year for the federal agencies responsible for protecting and enforcing American intellectual property (IP) rights, both domestically and abroad. Highlights cited in the Annual Report include: record increases in IP-related investigations and prosecutions; enhanced border enforcement; expanded engagement within the WTO in an attempt to resolve IP-related trade disputes; and redoubled focus by all agencies on the public health and safety implications of counterfeit goods. Commenting on the report, Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez stated, “We realize there’s more work to be done and will work to meet the goals outlined in the report.” Israel added, “This year’s report demonstrates the continued commitment of the Administration to protect intellectual property rights with a coordinated, results-driven approach.” The Annual Report to the President and Congress on Coordination of Intellectual Property Enforcement and Protection is published by the Office of the U.S. Coordinator for International Intellectual Property Enforcement, which heads the National Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordination Council (NIPLECC). View fact sheet on Coordination of Intellectual Property Enforcement and Protection 2/20/08 United States and Rwanda Sign Bilateral Investment Treaty
View White House press release |
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