USCIB Letter to USTR Regarding
U.S. Objectives in the New Round of WTO Trade Negotiations
May 1, 2002
Ms. Gloria Blue
Executive Secretary
Trade Policy Staff Committee
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
600 17th Street, N. W.
Washington, D.C. 20508
Dear Mrs. Blue:
This is in response to the United States Trade Representative’s Federal Register Notice of March 19, soliciting comments on U.S. objectives in the WTO negotiations pursuant to the Doha Declaration. The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) is pleased to offer its comments on these important issues. Progress in these negotiations will promote sustainable development, centered on economic growth; strengthen environmental protection; and improve working conditions worldwide.
USCIB strongly supported a broad-based WTO negotiation and welcomes the negotiation launched at the Doha Ministerial. In a recent review of USCIB priorities, our Trade Policy Committee concluded that they remain, in general, the same as indicated in our response to the Federal Register notice in April 2001. That statement is attached.
There are some selected post-Ministerial nuances. The commitment to negotiations on trade and environment has increased concerns about attempts to erode the SPS disciplines governing sound science and risk assessment, which we strongly oppose. The emphasis in the negotiating agenda on capacity building and on special and differential treatment has increased concerns about additional industrial subsidies that might be justified under those headings. So our earlier point about the need to review trade-distorting subsidies could be expanded to include a proactive stance to block such measures. In the post-Doha debate, one of our priorities, market access for non-agricultural goods does not appear to be getting the support among governments that our members desire.
USCIB will develop more detailed recommendations as the negotiations proceed. In our view, the timing of these more detailed recommendations will vary, depending on specific developments in each negotiation. In two areas, USCIB has elaborated our recommendations submitted last year: Telecommunications and Computer and Related Services and Advertising. These more detailed recommendations are attached to this submission.
We hope you find these comments useful and stand ready to meet with U.S. agencies to discuss our recommendations.
Sincerely,
Thomas M.T. Niles
Attachments:
1. USCIB Additional Objectives for the WTO Negotiations on Telecommunications and Computer and Related Services.
2. Objectives and Compilation of Barriers for Bilateral Discussions with WTO Members as They Relate to Advertising
3. USCIB’s Recommendations for a Broad-Based WTO Negotiation, May 10, 2001
