U.S. Chamber's International Policy Update (March 3, 2011)
International Policy Update
In this Newsletter...
Recently in Mar 2011 Category
On
March 3, President Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderón announced
an agreement in principle to end the U.S.-Mexico cross-border trucking
dispute. Under the plan, Mexican trucks operating in the United States
will have to meet the highest U.S. safety standards, and Mexico will
suspend its retaliatory tariffs on a wide array of U.S. products. Once a
full agreement is reached, Mexico will lift half the tariffs, and the
remainder will be eliminated once the first Mexican truck is allowed to
enter the United States. U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J.
Donohue stated: "This is an important step to promote job growth on both
sides of the border and shore up our bilateral relationship. It is long
past time for the United States to live up to its trade commitment and
allow cross-border trucking services... Nowhere in the world does the
United States have a higher stake in the success of a partner than in
Mexico. We are now pressing the Administration and Congress to finalize
the agreement, move the United States into compliance, and allow an end
to these job-killing tariffs."
On March 1, 67 House freshmen sent a letter to
President Obama encouraging passage of the three pending trade
agreements, which read in part: "You have set a goal of doubling U.S.
exports by 2014. We applaud this initiative because we know that
deepening economic ties with our trading partners will create badly
needed jobs for Americans. We believe that achieving the goal of
doubling exports will require the implementation of these agreements.
Our three pending agreements have languished, while our partners have
aggressively pursued negotiations that exclude the U.S. and put American
workers at a competitive disadvantage. The time has come to put
rhetoric into action." Representatives Tom Reed (NY-29) and Rick Berg
(ND-AL) led the effort, which was particularly notable for the strong
showing from members representing districts in Illinois, Ohio, New York
and Wisconsin. Read more.
On March 1, the administration released President Obama's 2011 Trade Policy Agenda and 2010 Annual Report. U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk commented: "The Obama Administration has blazed a new trail on trade, and this Agenda reflects our commitment to a job-focused, comprehensive trade policy that benefits American businesses and workers as well. Our trade policy will support more American jobs and better jobs as we open world markets for Made in America products and keep them open through strong enforcement of our trade rights, maintaining America's leadership and strengthening partnerships in a robust, rules-based global trading system."
The statement also identifies goals for 2011 including implementation of the U.S.-Korea trade agreement, resolution of outstanding issues related to trade agreements with Panama and Colombia, substantial progress in the TPP talks and the Doha round of negotiations in the World Trade Organization, and Russia's accession to the WTO. The administration has also called for the renewal and long-term extension of key programs such as Trade Adjustment Assistance and expired trade preferences. Ambassador Kirk will testify before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, March 9, at 10:00 a.m. on "The President's 2011 Trade Agenda."
House GOP Freshmen Signal Strong Support for Pending FTAs, by Christopher Wenk
The EU's Consensus on Trade, by Peter Rashish
Buy American Rules: Patriotic, but Not Pragmatic, by Chris Braddock
EU Jumps Past U.S. in Global Trading Game - Will We Catch Up? by Tami Overby
On March 8, from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. the Chamber will host the program "The Case for U.S. Leadership on Trade: Perspectives of Former USTRs on Business and the Trade Agenda," with former U.S. Trade Representatives Susan Schwab, Charlene Barshefsky, Carla Hills, and Clayton Yeutter. RSVP.
On March 14, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. the Chamber will host the program "Building Capacity for Trade in Developing Countries: Fostering Public and Private Cooperation in Aid for Trade." Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will open the program. Robert B. Zoellick, President of The World Bank and Pascal Lamy, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, will discuss the aid for trade agenda.
Following their conversation will be a roundtable meeting with the private and public sector. The meeting will revolve around the presentation of concrete case studies by companies and an open discussion to explore linkages and partnership between the private and public sector. RSVP.
Contacto:
AmCham Ecuador / Guayaquil
Cdla. Kennedy Norte,
Av. Francisco de Orellana
Edificio Centrum
Piso 6, Oficina 5
PBX: (593-4) 269 3470
Fax: (593-4) 269 3465
camara@amchamecuador.org
AmCham Ecuador / Guayaquil
Cdla. Kennedy Norte,
Av. Francisco de Orellana
Edificio Centrum
Piso 6, Oficina 5
PBX: (593-4) 269 3470
Fax: (593-4) 269 3465
camara@amchamecuador.org
 |
 |
 |