WASHINGTON, D.C. – The
Bush Administration Monday delivered to Congress the 2008 Trade Policy Agenda
and the 2007 Annual Report of the President of the United States on
the Trade Agreements Program.
The report highlights the Administration’s 2007
accomplishments of opening new markets, developing and implementing new
policies, and enforcing U.S. trade agreements to ensure trade
is free and fair.
"President Bush's accomplishments of opening markets at
every opportunity have advanced the pro-growth benefits of free and fair trade"
said U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab. "Through negotiations for reciprocal
access bilaterally, regionally, and multilaterally - and tough enforcement to
ensure that our trading partners must keep their promises of open markets - the
past seven years have reaped record exports, job creation, growth, and
productivity."
Bilaterally, in 2008, the Administration will build on the
passage of the Peru Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by working with Congress to
advance other pending FTAs with Colombia, Panama and South
Korea.
These pending agreements offer substantial opportunities for
U.S. farmers, ranchers, workers,
manufacturers, and producers.
Passing and implementing an FTA with Colombia will solidify relations with a key
strategic ally in Latin America. The Korea-U.S. (KORUS) FTA is the most
commercially significant FTA the United
States has concluded in 15 years and when implemented will
offer immense opportunities to U.S. business and agriculture in a
rapidly growing and sophisticated market.
Multilaterally, the United States
continues to lead efforts towards concluding an ambitious Doha Development
Round. Concluding an ambitious Doha
Round is President Bush’s top trade negotiating priority and will generate
economic growth through new trade flows in agriculture, industrial goods and
services - helping to lift millions of people in developing counties out of
poverty. The Administration
realizes that a window of opportunity exists to conclude the Doha Round this
year and looks forward to working with our trading partners to achieve the
ambitious and balanced outcome that will be necessary for a successful
agreement.
In addition, the Administration will continue to
aggressively combat intellectual property rights (IPR) violations in order to
protect both industry and consumers.
In 2007, the Administration continued to lead the fight against IPR
violations through launching negotiation of an Anti-Counterfeiting Trade
Agreement with other trading partners.
Additionally, the Administration filed cases in the World Trade
Organization (WTO) over China’s deficiencies in protecting
and enforcing copyrights and trademarks.
As part of the Doha Development Agenda negotiations, the
Administration developed and introduced, along with the European Commission, a
proposal for an innovative new environmental goods and services agreement in the
WTO and a commitment by all WTO members to remove barriers to trade in a
specific set of climate-friendly technologies and services.
In 2008, the Administration will continue its efforts to
build and strengthen trade relations worldwide while ensuring that all parties
involved abide by fair and evenly applied rules. In particular, the Administration will
pursue Asia-Pacific regional economic integration through the Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation forum.
“Today, the United States is party to FTAs with 20
countries in every corner of the world (14 in force, three approved by Congress
but not yet in force, and three concluded but not yet approved by
Congress). These agreements bring
real benefits to American workers, farmers, ranchers, manufacturers and service
providers” wrote Ambassador Schwab in the report’s introduction.
Background:
The 2008 Trade Policy Agenda and the 2007 Annual Report
are prepared according to the guidelines established under the Trade Act of
1974, as amended. The full report
can be viewed at www.ustr.gov
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