New U.S. SPS Text Contains 'Rapid-Response' Tool For Perishable Goods
LIMA – The United States has tabled legal text in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) chapter on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues that would establish a rapid-response mechanism (RRM) whose purpose is to quickly resolve SPS barriers that block shipments of perishable goods, according to a U.S. trade official.
State Lawmakers Make Demands On LNG, Environment, Investment In TPP
A group of more than 50 state legislators from 24 states today (May 20) sent a letter to Acting U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis urging him to negotiate provisions in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) that would allow the Department of Energy (DOE) to maintain control over liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports and would subject environmental obligations in TPP to binding dispute settlement procedures.
Nunes To Convene First Trade Policy 'Roundtable' This Week On Services
Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), chairman of the House Ways & Means trade subcommittee, this week will hold his first round of private “trade policy roundtables” with stakeholders, starting on May 22 with a meeting focused on international trade in services, according to a May 16 memo obtained by Inside U.S. Trade.
EU Will Not Change 'Precautionary Principle' Through Trade Talks: Official
A senior European Commission agriculture official on Friday (May 17) said that the European Union will not be convinced in upcoming trade talks with the United States to change its core risk management policy, known as the “precautionary principle,” but that it is willing to try and resolve individual trade irritants that stem from it.
Unions Demand Strong Labor Provisions, Exclusion Of Air Services From TTIP
U.S. labor unions are pressing the Obama administration to ensure that a U.S.-European Union trade agreement includes stronger labor rights provisions than past U.S. free trade deals; regulatory commitments that preserve the highest level of protection for consumers, including in the chemical sector; and rules to prevent countries from conditioning sales on technology transfer or local production.
U.S. Tables SPS Text; Other Countries Float Pharmaceutical IP Ideas
LIMA -- The United States has tabled legal text here that would establish a consultative mechanism for resolving sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) disputes in a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, while other TPP countries have informally floated new ideas for how to move forward in the controversial area of pharmaceutical intellectual property (IP) protections, according to a U.S. trade official.
TPP Round, Nunes Roundtables, Customs Bill, Farm Bill, TTIP Meetings
- Business Groups Launch Coalition To Push For Trade Promotion Authority
- International Business Groups Call On TPP Governments To Engage On Sensitive Issues Now
- State Officials To Travel To Mexico, Turkey, Bangladesh, Spain, Indonesia, India, Southeast Asia This Week
- TPP Countries Hold Stakeholder Event; Negotiations On Investment, Services, Labor, Market Access, TBT
- DOE Approves LNG Export Application To Non-FTA Countries Following Policy Review
- EU Commissioner Lays Out Red Lines For AV Services In TTIP, Including Broadcast Quotas, Financial Support
- House Dems, Faith Groups Join Chorus Calling For U.S. Retailers To Sign Bangladesh Worker Safety Accord
- Mukhisa Kituyi Of Kenya Nominated To Lead UN Conference On Trade, Development
- U.S., Japanese Farmers Call For Protection Of Agricultural, Health Care Sectors In TPP
- Peruvian Government Releases Schedule For 17th Round Of TPP Negotiations
- USTR, Turkish Economic Ministry Launch High-Level Committee, Recognizing Potential Impact Of TTIP
- 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.
- Cuba Joins WTO Challenge Against Australian 'Plain Packaging' Law
The government of Cuba late last week requested formal World Trade Organization consultations with Australia over that country's "plain packaging" legislation regulating the appearance and form of retail packaging for sales of cigars, cigarettes and other tobacco products. Cuba joins Ukraine, Honduras and the Dominican Republic, which have already initiated WTO disputes against the Australian law.
- BIS Implementation Of Single IT System Stalled Amid Budget Constraints
An effort to link the Commerce Department into a single, administration-wide information technology (IT) system for export licensing has been delayed due to sequestration-related budget constraints, a department official confirmed.
- Hatch, Schumer To Negotiate On H-1B Amendments To Immigration Bill
In the face of mounting objections from U.S. companies, especially technology firms, Sens. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) are engaged in last-minute negotiations in an attempt to craft workable amendments on visa provisions in an immigration bill now working its way through the Senate. The two senators were consulting this week, and Hatch may be able to formally unveil compromise amendments as soon as next week.
- Poultry Producers Float Auction Scheme To Open Canadian Market In TPP
U.S. poultry producers are informally floating a proposal for opening the Canadian market through a final Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement under which any expanded tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for poultry to which Canada agrees in the TPP context would be auctioned off to U.S. producers, according to industry sources.
- U.S. Business Associations Urge USTR To Tackle Cyber Issues In TTIP
U.S. high technology and business associations are urging the Obama administration to include issues related to cybersecurity in the upcoming Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations with the European Union, according to formal comments submitted to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative last week.
- Obama Focuses On Regional Trade Initiatives In World Trade Week Proclamation
- More Than 50 State Legislators Make Specific Demands For TPP On LNG, Environment, Investment
- U.S.-Colombia Labor Affairs Council Meeting Rescheduled For June 5
- TPP Countries Hold Stakeholder Event; Negotiations On Investment, Services, Labor, Market Access, TBT
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