April 26, 2005
IN THIS ALERT:

Nomination Statement by Congressman Robert Portman

On April 21, the Senate Finance Committee held a confirmation hearing for Congressman Robert Portman, the Bush Administration's nominee to be the next United States Trade Representative.  In his prepared statement, Mr. Portman said that the Doha Round is the most important trade deal currently under negotiation, and "There may not be any other single action we could take together over the next couple of years that would have such far-reaching and long-lasting benefits as bringing the Doha Round to a successful conclusion." He also expressed his determination to vigorously enforce US trade laws, particularly with respect to China.  Click here for a copy of the statement.

Fact Sheet: GATS and State Sovereignty

In response to the concerns of a number of US states that their rights could be eroded under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), the Office of the US Trade Representative issued a fact sheet explaining states' rights under the Agreement.  It notes that the GATS does not and will not overrule the ability of state governments to regulate services, or force the privatization or deregulation of state-regulated services.  In addition, the fact sheet says that the GATS will not automatically pre-empt any state laws.  Click here for a copy of the fact sheet.

EU Calls for Balance in Doha Round

In an April 21 speech to a WTO public symposium, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso expressed concern about the pace of negotiations in the Doha Round, particularly on services and NAMA.  He said that it was important that the Round proceed in a "Balanced way, across the board.  The negotiations must move in parallel on agriculture, non-agricultural market access, services, trade facilitation, and rules.  Click here for a copy of the remarks.

Caribbean Countries Develop Services Coalitions

Barbados, St. Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago have recently launched, or are in the process of launching their own service industry coalitions.  The Barbados Coalition of Service Industries (BCSI) works on behalf of the domestic services sector, which produces 70% of the country's GDP.  The St. Lucia Coalition of Service Industries (SCSI) got underway in March of this year and will work to advance services sector priorities.  Trinidad & Tobago Coalition of Service Industries (TTCSI) plans to launch in June 2005, where it will promote the service sector's interests.  For more information on each group, click on the following:

Barbados
St. Lucia
Trinidad & Tobago

Ambassador Allgeier Testifies on CAFTA before Senate Committee

In remarks before the Senate Finance Committee, Acting USTR Peter Allgeier discussed the potential benefits to both the U.S. and Central America if the Central American Free Trade Agreement passes.  In the services sector, Allgeier noted that the Dominican Republic and Central American countries will accord substantial market access across their entire services regime.  Click here to see a copy of Allgeier's full statement.

GAO Study on Breakdown in FTAA Talks

The US Government Accountability Office recently issued a study examining the reasons for the impasse in negotiations on the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).  The study cites three main factors: (1) the US and Brazil have made little progress in resolving basic differences on key negotiation issues; (2) member governments have shifted energy and engagement from the FTAA to bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, and (3) the FTAA negotiating structure and the co-chairmanship of Brazil and the US – both of which were intended to facilitate progress – have not yet done so. Click here for a copy of the report.