USTR Wants Next Steps for Pending FTAs to Include GSP, Etc.
On April 28, 2011, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk spoke before the Washington International Trade Association (WITA), where he gave an update on the Administration’s trade agenda, including the three pending free trade agreements, renewal of trade preference programs, and Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.
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Obama Administration Making Progress on Inherited Pending FTAs
Kirk stated that while the pending free trade agreements (South Korea, Panama, and Colombia) were inherited from the previous Administration, the Obama Administration’s approach to them shows how the current Administration feels trade policy should work. He stated that even with agreements the Obama Administration did not negotiate, it is serious about insisting on a level playing field.
The USTR is making steady progress preparing these FTAs for congressional consideration.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 04/19/11 news, 11041920, for BP summary of USTR announcing that it was ready discussions with Congress on a draft Panama FTA bill. See ITT’s Online Archives or 04/08/11 news, 11040816, for BP summary of the Deputy USTR testifying that the Administration has been engaging in technical discussions with Congress and is now ready to begin working with Congress on the KORUS FTA implementing bill text. See ITT’s Online Archives or 04/07/11 news, 11040737, for BP summary of USTR saying that Colombia’s new Labor Plan clears the way for Hill FTA talks.)
Timing of FTAs Steps Considered in Context of Larger Discussion on Sequencing a Comprehensive Trade Agenda
Kirk added that with that work moving forward on the pending FTAs, now the Administration is considering timing of next steps on the Korea, Colombia and Panama agreements in the context of a larger discussion about sequencing a comprehensive trade agenda this year.
Specifically, the Administration is seeking to renew Trade Adjustment Assistance, as well the expired trade preference programs - Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program, the Andean Trade Preference Act/Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPA/ATPDEA).
The Administration is also seeking to establish Permanent Normalized Trade Relations (PNTR) with Russia as it accedes to the World Trade Organization, so that U.S. exporters can benefit when Russia fully enters the rules-based trading system.
USTR Coordinating with Congress, Stakeholders in TPP Negotiations
The USTR is coordinating with Congress and engaging stakeholders in negotiations for the TPP and with events on the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2011 host year agenda, among other initiatives.
In addition to ambitious goals for greater market access, the U.S. is seeking high standards to foster and protect innovation, to reduce non-tariff barriers to trade, and to respect and protect labor rights and the environment.
Doha Negotiations to Continue, Large Gaps Remain
As for the Doha round, Kirk said that Doha is -- not for the first time -- undergoing a challenging period. Reports and texts issued last week in Geneva confirm what the U.S. and others, including Director General Lamy, have been saying -- the gaps are large after more than two years of dedicated efforts to narrow them through bilateral negotiations with key partners.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 04/22/11 news, 11042240, for BP summary of WTO posting the texts circulated by committee chairs on the work of each negotiating group involved in the Doha Round talks.)