Joint Statement by the Office of the United States Trade Representative and the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration

For Immediate Release: November 30, 2007
Contact:
Charlie Skuba (202) 482-3809
Gretchen Hamel (202) 395-3230

JOINT STATEMENT BY THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE’S INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION

WASHINGTON – Today, Gretchen Hamel, Deputy Assistant United States Trade Representative, and Charles Skuba, Director of Public Affairs at the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, released the following joint statement on draft texts released by the World Trade Organization’s Negotiating Group on Rules:

"We appreciate Rules Negotiating Group Chairman Valles' leadership in this difficult and complex negotiation. While the U.S. is very disappointed with important aspects of this draft text, we believe it provides a basis for further negotiations. As we proceed with those negotiations, we will be fully committed to preserving the strength and effectiveness of U.S. trade remedy laws."

To review the draft texts, please visit http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news07_e/rules_nov07_e.doc.

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