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The following story is from the April 16 issue of International
Trade Reporter
Current Reports:
Trade Policy
Kirk, in First Speech as USTR, Says U.S.
Will Not Turn Inward but Will Enforce Rules
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, in his first public speech since being confirmed, said April 8 that the United States would not turn inward but would use all the tools in its toolbox to resolve trade disputes, starting with constructive dialogue.
Kirk—who spoke at an event cosponsored by the National Foreign Trade Council's Global Innovation Forum and Howard University's Institute for Entrepreneurship, Leadership &
Innovation (ELI)—reiterated that the Obama administration would put an “enhanced focus” on trade enforcement.
In this regard, Kirk said that the administration will work with Congress “to make sure we have the right legislative tools in place to partner with the enhanced enforcement efforts that we're going to do.”
A measure that would beef up U.S. trade enforcement tools is pending in the House and a similar bill is expected to be introduced in the Senate. The House measure would revive the so-called “Super 301” trade enforcement provision, create an Office of Congressional Trade Enforcer, and require USTR to identify annually priority foreign countries with unfair trade barriers and take appropriate action, among other provisions (26 ITR 91, 1/22/09)(10 ITD, 1/16/09)(10 WTO, 1/16/09).
“We are asking our trading partners to commit to actions that level the playing field fairly for American workers and businesses. It's not too much to ask of them to not only protect and enforce intellectual property rights, but also to provide market access and protections for U.S. investors, to respect internationally recognized labor rights, and to raise environmental standards,”
he said.
Quick Review of Trade Initiatives
Kirk told reporters after his speech that the administration was going to move ahead quickly with a comprehensive review of pending trade initiatives.
Under questioning, he said that the United States was playing by the rules when it announced the imposition of customs duties on softwood lumber from four Canadian provinces after a tribunal determined that Canada violated the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement
(see related report, this issue).
Kirk said in his speech that the administration preferred to resolve trade spats through constructive dialogue since that avenue can yield results faster than World Trade Organization dispute settlement and is therefore more productive for a businessperson. However, the administration is also prepared to take cases to the WTO as a “last resort” if dialogue fails, he added.
He expressed the administration's commitment to making sure that other countries play by the rules, which he said must be “balanced and fair.”
A rules-based trading system can be a critical part of America's recovery from the current economic crisis, Kirk said. “We must work to make sure that when American goods, services, and intellectual property arrive in world markets, they benefit from basic safeguards similar to those they enjoy at home. The president and I are confident that given a level playing field, America's businesses and workers can successfully compete with those anywhere in the world,”
Kirk remarked.
“At the end of the day, it's about jobs,”
Kirk said.
Protection for Innovation
The ability of the United States to be competitive depends in part on innovation—something the United States has been doing well for some 200 years, Kirk remarked.
“A big part of helping fuel that innovation is making sure we provide protection” for the innovators, Kirk added. The United States “need[s]
to work to preserve and grow innovative and creative industries now more than ever.”
Since 95 percent of the world's consumers live outside the United States, the United States must think globally if it is going to continue to grow, Kirk added.
The NFTC's Global Innovation Forum was launched in January 2009. Howard University's ELI Institute supports entrepreneurial activities and initiatives that create jobs and fuel economic growth in minority communities.
By Rossella Brevetti
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