Revised EU Mandate Seeks To Prevent ‘Frivolous’ Investor-State Claims
A revised version of the European Commission’s draft mandate for upcoming trade negotiations with the United States includes new provisions on investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) meant to guard against “frivolous” legal claims. Rather than creating new friction with the U.S., however, this language appears to bring the EU more closely in line with what the U.S. has done in past free trade agreements and investment treaties, according to legal experts.
TPP Countries Say Japan Can Participate In Final Days Of July Round
LIMA -- At the conclusion of the 17th round of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks here, Peru's chief negotiator announced that Japan will be able to participate in a portion of the next round of negotiations -- slated to take place July 15-25 in Malaysia -- upon the conclusion of a 90-day consultation period within the United States.
Pritzker Vows To Cooperate In Enhancing Cybersecurity Framework
President Obama's nominee to be the next Commerce secretary this week pledged before a Senate panel to "work closely" with various government agencies and the private sector to bolster the nation's forces against cyber attacks.
New Version Of Draft EU Mandate Adds Language On Services Obligations
A revised version of the European Commission's draft negotiating mandate for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) adds a variety of new provisions into the section dealing with trade in services and investment, providing important new clues on which negotiating positions European negotiators will adopt once the two sides launch talks this summer.
USTR To Close For One Day Next Week As A Result Of Budget Cuts
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will be effectively shuttered on May 28 for an “all-agency furlough day” brought upon by budget cuts imposed by Congress earlier this year, according to USTR spokeswoman Carol Guthrie. The furloughs are occurring “in combination with travel budget cuts and other savings measures,” she added.
U.S. Holds Open Possibility Of Exceptions To Cumulation Rule In TPP Deal
LIMA – The United States is holding open the possibility that, when it comes to the most sensitive products subject to tariff cuts under a final Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, companies may not be allowed to incorporate inputs from various TPP countries into a final good that qualifies for tariff benefits under the deal, sources said.
Businesses Seeking Tariff Cuts Are Frustrated With U.S. Market Access Approach
LIMA – U.S. and foreign industry representatives pressing for trade liberalization in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) this week publicly aired their frustrations over the way in which the United States is conducting its market access negotiations on goods on the basis of bilateral offers, arguing that this approach could result in a maze of bilateral deals that is confusing and of little value to businesses.
- Obama Nominates Victoria Nuland To Serve As Assistant Secretary Of State For European Affairs
- USCBC Report Finds Stronger IPR Enforcement Would Have Positive Impact On Chinese Economy
- Interested Parties Submit Comments To USTR On Adding Burma, Laos To GSP
- USDA Issues Final COOL Rule On RPT Deadline To Address Adverse WTO Ruling
- State, BIS Issue Proposed Export Control Reform Rule Covering Satellites
- Van Rompuy Says EU Looking For Best Way To 'Keep Turkey Involved' In TTIP Process
- Civil Society Group Research Papers Examine SOEs, Dispute Settlement, Data Privacy In TPP
- U.S.-China Report Examines Future Of Bilateral Economic Relationship Over Next 10 Years
- Fonterra-Funded Study Finds Japan's TPP Entry Could Revitalize Japanese Agricultural Sector
- European Parliament To Debate De Gucht On U.S-EU Talks, Vote On Resolution
- Irish PM Calls For Agreement On U.S.-EU Mandate At June 14 EU Trade Ministers Meeting
- Nunes Convenes First Trade Policy 'Roundtable' On Trade In Services
Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), chairman of the House Ways & Means trade subcommittee, this week held his first round of private "trade policy roundtables" with stakeholders, which began with a May 22 meeting focused on international trade in services, according to a May 16 memo obtained by Inside U.S. Trade.
- Azevedo Faces Challenges In Deputy Appointments, Low Staff Morale
While much of the attention in Geneva is focused on delivering a package of agreements at the next World Trade Organization ministerial conference in Indonesia in December -- and on whether and how to revive the Doha round after that -- incoming WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo will also face lower-profile challenges once he assumes his post, including whom to select as his deputies and how to deal with low staff morale within the secretariat.
- DSB Establishes WTO Panel To Hear Japanese Challenge Of Chinese AD Duties On Steel Tubes
- WTO Extends Proposal Deadline For Forum On Expanding Trade Through Innovation, Digital Economy
- USDA Issues Final COOL Rule On RPT Deadline To Address Adverse WTO Ruling
- Lamy Says Investment, Strong Export Growth, Better Regulatory Environment Led To Faster African Growth
- Sapiro Heads USTR As Marantis Departs For California Tech Company
Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Miriam Sapiro assumed leadership of USTR on an acting basis this week when former Acting USTR Demetrios Marantis vacated that post, a spokeswoman said.
- EU Will Hit Chinese Solar Imports With Duties; China Pushes For Talks
The European Union is preparing to impose provisional antidumping (AD) duties averaging about 50 percent on Chinese solar panels and key components by June 5, according to sources close to the proceedings. The step would significantly penalize Chinese exporters but could also be a first step toward a negotiated settlement between the EU and China that could ultimately involve the United States as well.
- U.S.-India Business Council Updates Obama On Progress Of Strategic Dialogue
- Interested Parties Submit Comments To USTR On Adding Burma, Laos To GSP
- GAO Report Makes Recommendations To Improve Ex-Im Methodology For Counting Jobs Supported
- State Department Requests Comment On Reporting Requirements For Investing In Burma
- Official: Japan Pushing To Delay July TPP Round Until After It Joins
LIMA -- The Japanese government has urged the United States and other countries participating in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks to delay an expected July negotiating round until Tokyo can formally join the negotiations at the end of that month, according to Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Barbara Weisel.
- Business Groups Seeking Tariff Cuts Criticize U.S. Market Access Strategy
LIMA -- U.S. and foreign industry representatives pressing for trade liberalization in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) this week publicly aired their frustrations over the way in which the United States is conducting its market access negotiations on goods on the basis of bilateral offers, arguing that this approach could result in a maze of bilateral deals that is confusing and of little value to businesses.
- CITA Requests Comment On Procedures For Considering Textile, Apparel Safeguards Under Panama FTA
- International Trade Union Confederation Lays Out Positions On TPP Provisions
- More Than 60 Industry, Civil Society Witnesses Slated To Testify At USTR's May 29-30 TTIP Hearing
- USTR Announces Next TPP Round Will Take Place July 15-25 In Malaysia
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