U.S. Commerce Secretary Evans Talks Trade and Growth Emphasizes U.S.
Commitment to WTO
Today U.S. Commerce Secretary Don Evans concluded a full day of meetings
focused on global growth, trade, and the role of the World Trade Organization
(WTO) in fostering economic stability.
Secretary
Evans met with Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, WTO Director-General. Evans
reaffirmed the United States commitment to the WTO, and particularly
the WTOs role as a vehicle for promoting trade and global economic
prosperity. Despite four strong quarters of growth in the U.S., global
economic growth and trade remains sluggish as foreign nations continue
to weigh necessary economic and regulatory reform.
The
world economy has slowed and world trade has fallen sharply, but trade
is a key to restoring economic growth. Making progress on the Doha
Development Agenda is more critical now than ever. We need to send
a clear signal to markets around the world that the talks are on schedule
and that members of the WTO are committed to ensuring that deadlines
outlined in Doha are met, stated Evans. To date we have
tabled the most far-reaching proposals in three vital sectors
goods, services and agriculture. I call on our trading partners to
join us in our diligent pursuit of free markets and a greater world
vision that encourages entrepreneurship, embraces opportunity, and
delivers hope and promise to every citizen.
Evans
trip to Switzerland will culminate with his participation in the World
Economic Forum in Davos where he will meet with other world leaders
in the public and private sectors to further policies that foster
global economic growth.