June

United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk expressed his support for the National Space Policy released today by President Barack Obama. The Policy places renewed emphasis on the U.S. Government’s use of commercial space capabilities. These capabilities will further strengthen the commercial sector and make it more competitive internationally.

USTR will continue to focus its efforts on ensuring that the country’s trade commitments for space-related goods and services provide new opportunities for the commercial sector. At the same time, USTR will continue working to ensure that our private space launch companies encounter a level playing field when competing against government-owned providers in the international market.

For more information on the National Space Policy, please visit the White House website here.

On June 26, President Obama asked Ambassador Kirk to initiate new discussions with his Korean counterpart, Minister of Trade Kim Jong-hoon, to resolve outstanding issues in a way that levels the playing field for U.S. workers and producers, with the objective of completing that process by the President Obama’s visit to South Korea for the next G-20 meeting in November. Here's what some people are saying about the announcement:

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)

Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont)

New Democrat Coalition

Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark)

National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC)

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sander M. Levin (D-Mich)

Emergency Committee for American Trade (ECAT)

United States Council for International Business (USCIB)

AFL-CIO

Coalition of Service Industries (CSI)

National Pork Producers Council

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF)

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)

Congressman Phil Hare (D-Ill)

Congressman Mike Michaud (D-Maine)

Ways and Means Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-Mich) and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-Texas)

Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio)

Senator Jim Webb (D-Va)

USTR Ron Kirk will testify on Wednesday, June 23 before the Senate Finance Committee in a hearing on the United States - China trade relationship. You can watch the hearing live on the Senate Finance Committee website tomorrow, starting at 2:30 p.m. EDT, here.

This morning USTR Ron Kirk joined Vice President Biden, members of the President’s cabinet and U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Victoria Espinel to announce the Joint Strategic Plan on Intellectual Property Enforcement. The Obama Administration, including USTR is, highlighting the need to safeguard U.S. intellectual property because such protection is fundamental to safeguard American jobs, sustain American exports and strengthen the American economy.   

At today's event with the Vice President, Ambassador Kirk discussed USTR’s work to advance the protection and enforcement of intellectual property overseas. Ambassador Kirk said, “USTR uses a full arsenal of trade policy tools to support and implement President Obama’s commitment to aggressively protect American intellectual property rights around the world. We are actively engaged in bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations, dialogues, and cooperation that are particularly critical to advancing the effective enforcement and protection of intellectual property rights overseas. That engagement is backed by a strong commitment to ensuring that our trading partners deliver on their commitments.”

USTR Ron Kirk joined Vice President Biden, members of the President’s cabinet and U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Victoria Espinel to announce the Joint Strategic Plan on Intellectual Property Enforcement

Ambassador Kirk met with Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma on June 22 to review progress on the U.S.-India bilateral trade agenda. In the aftermath of the much-anticipated and successful US-India Strategic Dialogue held June 4 and the US-India CEO Forum held just prior to their meeting, and in anticipation of the next ministerial Trade Policy Forum and the President’s visit in the fall, the Ministers agreed to continue to work together to meet the objectives set out in the Framework for Cooperation on Trade and Investment (signed on March 17, 2010), to enhance opportunities for bilateral trade and investment and, ultimately, to create jobs in the United States and India. Given the emphasis in all of these venues on further accelerating the bilateral economic relationship, Ambassador Kirk urged India to address longstanding impediments, such as investment caps, agricultural market access barriers, high tariffs, intellectual property rights, and the need for continuing regulatory streamlining and transparency.

Ambassador Kirk with Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma

United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Deputy United States Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis met today with members of the Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (TEPAC). They were joined by Environmental Policy Agency administrator, Lisa Jackson as the group discussed trade issues with regard to the environment. 

TEPAC, ahigh-level advisory committee, is currently comprised of 23 individuals with diverse experience in environmental affairs. The Committee’s agenda for today included a summary of the latest Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations in San Francisco, a discussion of the current status of the World Trade Organization Doha Round talks, climate change developments and USTR’s expectations for the 2011 APEC meetings, including the trade ministers’ meeting in Big Sky, Montana. 

The Committee had a good exchange on all of these issues and others, such as Peru’s implementation of obligations under the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement.

As part of USTR's Open Government Flagship Initiative, USTR.gov has been collecting comments and questions from the American public to be answered this week regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership. USTR thanks all those who have sent in questions and comments. The comments have been passed along to the TPP negotiators.

Today we have a question from Charles in New York:

“Research consistently shows that a significant barrier to increased international trade by small businesses is the opaque and expensive problem of Customs procedures, documentation and duties. Outbound USPS parcel traffic in this region has increased in the last few years as more companies sell to other small businesses and directly to consumers. More companies would do so if procedures were less opaque and there was government assistance to make things simpler. What will the Administration do to help make the export/import process via the Posts and express carriers faster, cheaper and easier for small business?”

USTR: “We plan to address the customs-related issues you have identified as part of customs cooperation group of the TPP negotiations. In keeping with our objective to make the TPP a 21st century agreement, we plan to discuss ways that we could further facilitate international trade and increase the transparency of customs procedures, including for outbound and express shipments.”

On Wednesday, Ambassador Kirk, in his capacity as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), participated in the second quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors for 2010. MCC is a U.S. Government foreign aid agency and one of the largest sources of assistance to eligible countries for bilateral trade capacity building.

Established in 2004, MCC works with developing countries committed to good governance, economic freedom, and investments in their citizens. MCC provides these well-performing countries with large-scale grants to fund country-led solutions for reducing poverty through sustainable economic growth.

By giving eligible countries the opportunity to identify their own priorities and develop their own proposals for reducing poverty and spurring economic growth, MCC enables countries to address long-term development obstacles, including in the area of trade. MCC is engaged with a total of 38 countries and has entered into 20 compacts and 21 threshold agreements totaling more than $7.5 billion, of which more than $4.2billion is trade-related. Please click here to see a copy of the release from the MCC.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership offers tremendous opportunities for U.S. exporters. In a world where 95 percent of consumers reside outside our borders, the Asia-Pacific region comprises 40 percent of the global population. These dynamic economies are growing faster than the world average and generated 56 percent of global GDP in 2009. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market in the world for U.S. exports and receives two-thirds of U.S. agricultural exports. The Obama Administration is committed to increasing these exports and creating more jobs here at home through the TPP.

This week, USTR.gov will highlight how states across the country benefit from trade with the Asia-Pacific Region. Today, we are showcasing Michigan.

Jobs supported by Michigan’s goods exports are estimated to be 293,000. Michigan’s manufacturing exports accounted for 27.4 percent of its manufacturing output. More than one-quarter (27.8 percent) of all manufacturing workers in Michigan depend on exports for their jobs, the fifth highest among the 50 states. Although not measured, there are also additional jobs supported by Michigan’s exports of services.

A total of 11,205 companies exported goods from Michigan locations in 2007. Of those, 10,057 (90 percent) were small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with fewer than 500 employees.

Michigan’s export shipments of merchandise in 2009 totaled $32.6 billion. Of Michigan’s total exports, $25.5 billion, or 78 percent, went to markets in the Asia-Pacific region. The top three product categories to TPP member economies exported in 2009 were transportation equipment, machinery manufactures, and chemical manufactures.

Small and medium-sized firms generated 12 percent of Michigan’s total exports of merchandise in 2007. Notably, small and medium-sized firms benefit from the tariff-elimination provisions of free trade agreements. The transparency obligations, particularly those in the customs chapters, are vital to small and medium-sized firms, which may not have the resources to navigate customs and regulatory red tape.

Today in San Francisco, California, USTR and agency partners across the Obama Administration hosted the fourth day of the second round of negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement. As usual, the day began with a briefing by lead U.S. negotiator and Assistant USTR Barbara Weisel for stakeholders on-site at this week’s talks. (See http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/blog/2010/june/us-stakeholders-join-ustr-san-francisco for more information on stakeholder participation.) Weisel shared with stakeholders that today’s discussions in the lead negotiators’ group would center around how best to address the needs of small- and medium-sized enterprises – a U.S. priority for the TPP agreement and a new issue to feature in a trade deal - and also transparency. Another key item on today’s agenda, she noted, was the issue of supply chains across the Asia-Pacific, with the U.S. goal being integration of American businesses into those supply chains in ways that keep jobs at home in the United States.

Several working groups from the eight TPP partner countries – Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States, and Vietnam – began negotiations today on various issue areas, while others continued their talks. Groups continuing or beginning negotiating sessions were:

• Lead Negotiators

• Capacity Building

• Cross-Border Services

• Customs Cooperation

• E-Commerce

• Financial Services

• Government Procurement

• Intellectual Property Rights

• Investment

• Labor

• Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

• Textiles

Thursday’ activities also featured a presentation to TPP delegates by the Center for Public Analysis on Trade and Health (CPATH) and California Public Health Association-North, stakeholders invited to be on-site during the negotiating round. Information regarding this presentations may be obtained directly from CPATH.

USTR closed the negotiating day with an intra-delegation debrief.

The schedule for the final day of TPP negotiations in San Francisco, as well as additional updates, will be posted on www.ustr.gov and www.ustr.gov/tpp-san-francisco tomorrow - along with information about the jobs and other benefits Asia-Pacific trade brings to various states across the country, and other key information related to the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks.

PLEASE NOTE: There will not be a closing press conference or negotiation readout on Friday, but a reporter briefing will be scheduled in Washington, DC next week.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership offers tremendous opportunities for U.S. exporters. In a world where 95 percent of consumers reside outside our borders, the Asia-Pacific region comprises 40 percent of the global population. These dynamic economies are growing faster than the world average and generated 56 percent of global GDP in 2009. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market in the world for U.S. exports and receives two-thirds of U.S. agricultural exports. The Obama Administration is committed to increasing these exports and creating more jobs here at home through the TPP.

This week, USTR.gov will highlight how states across the country benefit from trade with the Asia-Pacific Region. Today, we are showcasing Massachuesetts.

Jobs supported by Massachusetts’s goods exports are estimated to be 166,000. Massachusetts’s manufacturing exports accounted for 29.2 percent of its manufacturing output. Over one-quarter (28 percent) of all manufacturing workers in Massachusetts depend on exports for their jobs, the fourth highest share among all 50 states. Although not measured, there are also additional jobs supported by Massachusetts’s exports of services.

A total of 8,872 companies exported goods from Massachusetts locations in 2007. Of those, 7,933 (89 percent) were small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with fewer than 500 employees.

Massachusetts’s export shipments of merchandise in 2009 totaled $23.6 billion. Of Massachusetts’s total exports, $10.4 billion, or 44 percent, went to markets in the Asia-Pacific region. The top three product categories to TPP member economies exported in 2009 were computers and electronic products, machinery manufactures, and miscellaneous manufactures.

Small and medium-sized firms generated nearly one-third (31 percent) of Massachusetts’s total exports of merchandise in 2007. Notably, small and medium-sized firms benefit from the tariff-elimination provisions of free trade agreements. The transparency obligations, particularly those in the customs chapters, are vital to small and medium-sized firms, which may not have the resources to navigate customs and regulatory red tape.

As part of USTR's Open Government Flagship Initiative, USTR.gov has been collecting comments and questions from the American public to be answered this week regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership. USTR thanks all those who have sent in questions and comments. The comments have been passed along to the TPP negotiators.

Today we have a question from Peter in Washington, DC:

“As a lawyer engaged in transnational transactions, I was pleased to see the U.S. enter into the FTAs with Australia (in particular) and Chile and Singapore, with their unique and useful provisions facilitating Mode 4 delivery of legal services. The special visas for Australians were particularly important and unique. How will these important developments in US trade and immigration law, that affect trade in legal services, be protected, expanded or incorporated into the TPP?”

USTR: “Thank you for your question. We know that many industries feel they benefit from the temporary entry provisions in some of our FTAs. One clarification, however: the special professionals admission category for Australia (the E-3 program) is the result of separate legislative action on the part of the U.S. Congress and is not part of, or related to, the U.S.– Australia FTA. We do not expect that the TPP negotiations will lead to any changes in the temporary entry provisions of our bilateral FTAs with Chile or Singapore, or affect the operation of the E-3 program for Australian professionals.”

Schedule for Thursday, June 17 at the second round of negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement in San Francisco, California:

8:30 a.m. – On-site briefing for participating U.S. stakeholder groups - led by senior USTR staff

Morning negotiations in Working Groups:

• Labor

• Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

• Textiles

• Capacity Building

• Customs Cooperation

• Intellectual Property Rights

• E-Commerce

• Government Procurement

• Investment

• Financial Services

Afternoon negotiations in Working Groups:

• Labor

• Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

• Textiles

• Capacity Building

• Intellectual Property Rights

• E-Commerce

• Government Procurement

• Investment

• Financial Services

5:00 pm: Center for Public Analysis on Trade and Health (CPATH) and California Public Health Association-North stakeholder presentation to TPP Delegates

The Obama Administration is working in the Trans-Pacific Partnership to develop a high-standard, 21st century, Asia-Pacific regional trade agreement that reflects this Administration’s priorities, including job creation and retention, integrating U.S. companies into Asia-Pacific production and supply chains, promoting new technologies and emerging economic sectors, and boosting small businesses, all while and promoting environmental protection and conservation, transparency, worker rights, and development. The second round of TPP talks is taking place this week in San Francisco.

Today in San Francisco, California, USTR and agency partners across the Obama Administration hosted the third day of the second round of negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement. As usual, the day began with a briefing by lead U.S. negotiator and Assistant USTR Barbara Weisel for stakeholders on-site at this week’s talks. (See http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/blog/2010/june/us-stakeholders-join-ustr-san-francisco for more information on stakeholder participation.) Weisel shared with stakeholders that discussions regarding market access architecture, in particular, were notable for the initial flexibility shown by TPP partner countries in exploring options. Questions still remain regarding the relationship between pre-existing FTAs and the TPP agreement. Weisel noted that one or more negotiating groups may have intersessional meetings before the next round of formal TPP talks in October.

Several working groups from the eight TPP partner countries – Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States, and Vietnam – began negotiations today on various issue areas, while others continued their talks. Groups continuing or beginning negotiating sessions were:

• Lead Negotiators

• Cross-Border Services

• Customs Cooperation

• Financial Services

• Industrial Goods

• Intellectual Property Rights

• Investment

• Labor

• Legal and Institutional

• Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

• Services

• Telecommunications

Wednesday’s activities also featured three more presentations to TPP delegates by stakeholders invited to be on-site during the negotiating round:

• California Farm Bureau Federation

• International Forum on Globalization

• PETA

Information regarding these presentations may be obtained directly from the organizations.

USTR closed the negotiating day on Wednesday with an intra-delegation debrief.

The Thursday schedule for TPP negotiations, as well as additional updates, will be posted on www.ustr.gov and www.ustr.gov/tpp-san-francisco tomorrow - along with information about the jobs and other benefits Asia-Pacific trade brings to various states across the country, and other key information related to the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks.

After speaking about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade negotiations to an audience of 400 at Bryant University’s 25th Annual Trade, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Marantis continued his TPP domestic outreach in Connecticut.

His first stop was Capewell Components in South Windsor, Connecticut, at an event organized by the office of Congressman John Larson. Capewell is a 125-year-old manufacturing company that produces precision aerial delivery systems for aircraft, including drop platforms, containers and cargo handling equipment used in military and humanitarian operations. Standing on Capewell’s shop floor, Ambassador Marantis discussed TPP’s potential with business leaders of local manufacturing companies. Discussion focused on the challenges of competing regulatory regimes in Asia, the potential of Vietnam’s market of 86 million consumers, and exports as a driver of Connecticut manufacturing and services jobs.

Ambassador Marantis then traveled to East Hartford to the headquarters of Pratt and Whitney, a manufacturer and exporter of aircraft engines. Pratt and Whitney President David Haas shared the company’s latest innovations on aircraft engine technology, and Haas and Marantis discussed the importance of engine exports to the local economy.

Today, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis gave the keynote address at the Chafee Center’s 25th annual World Trade Day at Bryant University. Speaking to an audience of over 400 business leaders, academics, government officials, and trade policy experts, Ambassador Marantis highlighted the Obama Administration’s agenda to foster sustainable growth and create well-paying American jobs through trade. His remarks highlighted the National Export Initiative, the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade negotiations, and the United States’ turn to host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in 2011.

“Today, exports are at the heart of our economic recovery, accounting for more than 40 percent of our overall economic expansion over the past nine months…Realizing these export opportunities means jobs and growth when our economy needs them most.”

The full speech can be found here.

Small- and medium-sized enterprises dominate Rhode Island’s economy, and nearly half of these businesses export. Last year, Rhode Island exported $1.5 billion in goods to overseas markets, and in the first four months of 2010 the state’s exports increased nearly 30 percent.

Ambassador Marantis discusses trade and exports with Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri

The Trans-Pacific Partnership offers tremendous opportunities for U.S. exporters. In a world where 95 percent of consumers reside outside our borders, the Asia-Pacific region comprises 40 percent of the global population. These dynamic economies are growing faster than the world average and generated 56 percent of global GDP in 2009. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market in the world for U.S. exports and receives two-thirds of U.S. agricultural exports. The Obama Administration is committed to increasing these exports and creating more jobs here at home through the TPP.

This week, USTR.gov will highlight how states across the country benefit from trade with the Asia-Pacific Region. Today, we are showcasing Vermont.

Jobs supported by Vermont’s goods exports are estimated to be 23,000. Vermont’s manufacturing exports accounted for 29.5 percent of its manufacturing output. More than one-quarter (28.8 percent) of all manufacturing workers in Vermont depend on exports for their jobs, the third highest figure among the 50 states. Although not measured, there are also additional jobs supported by Vermont’s exports of services.

A total of 963 companies exported goods from Vermont locations in 2007. Of those, 831 (86 percent) were small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with fewer than 500 employees.

Vermont’s export shipments of merchandise in 2009 totaled $3.2 billion. Of Vermont’s total exports, $2.8 billion, or 88 percent, went to markets in the Asia-Pacific region. The top three product categories to TPP member economies exported in 2009 were computers and electronic products, non-metallic mineral manufactures, and processed foods.

Small and medium-sized firms generated 14 percent of Vermont’s total exports of merchandise in 2007. Notably, small and medium-sized firms benefit from the tariff-elimination provisions of free trade agreements. The transparency obligations, particularly those in the customs chapters, are vital to small and medium-sized firms, which may not have the resources to navigate customs and regulatory red tape.

Schedule for Wednesday, June 16 at the second round of negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement in San Francisco, California:

8:30 a.m. – On-site briefing for participating U.S. stakeholder groups - led by senior USTR staff

Morning negotiations in Working Groups:

• Labor

• Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

• Legal and Institutional

• Customs Cooperation

• Intellectual Property Rights

• Cross-Border Services

• Telecommunications

• Industrial Goods

• Investment

Afternoon negotiations in Working Groups:

• Labor

• Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

• Customs Cooperation

• Intellectual Property Rights

• Telecommunications

• Industrial Goods

• Investment

• Financial Services

2:30 pm: California Farm Bureau Federation stakeholder presentation to TPP Delegates

4:00 pm: International Forum on Globalization stakeholder presentation to TPP Delegates

5:00 pm: PETA stakeholder presentation to TPP Delegates

The Obama Administration is working in the Trans-Pacific Partnership to develop a high-standard, 21st century, Asia-Pacific regional trade agreement that reflects this Administration’s priorities, including job creation and retention, integrating U.S. companies into Asia-Pacific production and supply chains, promoting new technologies and emerging economic sectors, and boosting small businesses, all while and promoting environmental protection and conservation, transparency, worker rights, and development. The second round of TPP talks is taking place this week in San Francisco.

Today in San Francisco, California, USTR and agency partners across the Obama Administration hosted the second day of the second round of negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement. As on Monday, the day began with a briefing by lead U.S. negotiator and Assistant USTR Barbara Weisel for stakeholders on-site at this week’s talks. (See http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/blog/2010/june/us-stakeholders-join-ustr-san-francisco for more information on stakeholder participation.) Among topics raised were services and development elements in the TPP, and how USTR will stay in touch with stakeholders beyond this week’s face-to-face meetings in San Francisco.

The Environmental Working Group gathers during the second day of negotiations

Working groups from the eight TPP partner countries – Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States, and Vietnam – met throughout the day to negotiate on various issue areas. Groups continuing or beginning negotiating sessions were:

• Lead Negotiators

• Agriculture

• Competition

• Environment

• Intellectual Property

• Labor

• Legal and Institutional

• Market Access

• Rules of Origin

• Services

• Technical Barriers to Trade

Tuesday’s activities also featured the first of several presentations to TPP delegates this week by stakeholders invited to be on-site during the negotiating round. Lori Wallach, Director of Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch, addressed more than two dozen U.S. and international delegates regarding investment and financial service terms in the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. In a separate on-site presentation, AFL-CIO’s Jeff Vogt shared ideas for the Labor chapter of the agreement. Information regarding stakeholder presentations may be obtained directly from presenting organizations.

AFL-CIO gives a stakeholder presentation to the TPP negotiators

As on Monday, USTR closed the negotiating day on Tuesday with an intra-delegation debrief.

The Wednesday schedule for TPP negotiations, as well as additional updates, will be posted on www.ustr.gov and www.ustr.gov/tpp-san-francisco tomorrow - along with information about the jobs and other benefits Asia-Pacific trade brings to various states across the country, and other key information related to the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks.

As part of USTR's Open Government Flagship Initiative, USTR.gov has been collecting comments and questions from the American public to be answered this week regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership. USTR thanks all those who have sent in questions and comments. The comments have been passed along to the TPP negotiators.

Today's question is from Dominic in Pennsylvania:

“Our Port does a lot of business with Colombia. Colombia is certainly more, "like minded" with the U.S. than, say, Vietnam. Can we include Colombia in the TPP?”

USTR: "Thank you for your interest and support for our trade relations with Colombia. Colombia is a significant hemispheric trading partner which is an ally of the United States in a number of important areas. We anticipate expanding the TPP to include additional economies in the Asia Pacific region. However, the current TPP members have decided to focus initial expansion of the group on APEC member economies, of which Colombia is not one at this time. Meanwhile, the Administration is working hard to address concerns regarding the U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement, which holds significant potential to expand U.S.-Colombia trade."

Ambassador Kirk met today with United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister for Foreign Trade, Lubna al-Qasimi. Ambassador Kirk and Sheikha Lubna discussed a number of issues important to the bilateral trade relationship, including the potential for increasing the already strong U.S. business presence in the UAE. Ambassador Kirk and Sheikha Lubna committed to staying in close touch over coming months and exploring options for intensifying cooperation between the two governments in the trade and investment areas.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership offers tremendous opportunities for U.S. exporters. In a world where 95 percent of consumers reside outside our borders, the Asia-Pacific region comprises 40 percent of the global population. These dynamic economies are growing faster than the world average and generated 56 percent of global GDP in 2009. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market in the world for U.S. exports and receives two-thirds of U.S. agricultural exports.The Obama Administration is committed to increasing these exports and creating more jobs here at home through the TPP.

This week, USTR.gov will highlight how states across the country benefit from trade with the Asia-Pacific Region. Today, we are showcasing South Carolina.

Jobs supported by South Carolina’s goods exports are estimated to be 150,000. South Carolina’s manufacturing exports accounted for 32.9 percent of its manufacturing output. More than one-quarter (28.9 percent) of all manufacturing workers in South Carolina depend on exports for their jobs, the second highest figure among the 50 states. Although not measured, there are also additional jobs supported by South Carolina’s exports of services.

A total of 3,575 companies exported goods from South Carolina locations in 2007. Of those, 2,933 (82 percent) were small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with fewer than 500 employees.

South Carolina’s export shipments of merchandise in 2009 totaled $16.5 billion. Of South Carolina’s total exports, $6.8 billion, or 41 percent, went to markets in the Asia-Pacific region. The top three product categories to TPP member economies exported in 2009 were transportation equipment, plastic and rubber products, and chemical manufactures.

Small and medium-sized firms generated 12 percent of South Carolina’s total exports of merchandise in 2007. Notably, small and medium-sized firms benefit from the tariff-elimination provisions of free trade agreements. The transparency obligations, particularly those in the customs chapters, are vital to small and medium-sized firms, which may not have the resources to navigate customs and regulatory red tape.

Schedule for Tuesday, June 15 at the second round of negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement in San Francisco, California:

8:30 a.m. – On-site briefing for participating U.S. stakeholder groups - led by senior USTR staff

Morning negotiations in Working Groups:

• Technical Barriers to Trade

• Agriculture

• Legal and Institutional

• Rules of Origin

• Intellectual Property Rights

• Cross-Border Services

• Competition

• Investment

• Environment

12:00 pm: Public Citizen stakeholder presentation to TPP Delegates

Afternoon negotiations in Working Groups:

• Labor

• Technical Barriers to Trade

• Agriculture

• Legal and Institutional

• Rules of Origin

• Intellectual Property Rights

• Cross-Border Services

• Investment

• Environment

5:00 pm: AFL-CIO stakeholder presentation to TPP Delegates

The Obama Administration is working in the Trans-Pacific Partnership to develop a high-standard, 21st century, Asia-Pacific regional trade agreement that reflects this Administration’s priorities, including job creation and retention, integrating U.S. companies into Asia-Pacific production and supply chains, promoting new technologies and emerging economic sectors, and boosting small businesses, all while and promoting environmental protection and conservation, transparency, worker rights, and development. The second round of TPP talks is taking place this week in San Francisco.

Today in San Francisco, California, USTR and agency partners across the Obama Administration hosted the first day of the second round of negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement. The day began with a briefing by lead U.S. negotiator and Assistant USTR Barbara Weisel for stakeholders who registered to attend and participate in events around this week’s talks. (See http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/blog/2010/june/us-stakeholders-join-ustr-san-francisco for more information on stakeholder participation.) Topics of discussion ranged from the U.S. approach on investment issues to the relationship between the new TPP agreement and pre-existing free trade agreements (FTAs), the process for consultations with Congress when additional countries join the TPP talks, and other issues.

The round began with a plenary meeting of all negotiators present from the eight TPP partner countries – Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States, and Vietnam. The opening plenary was an overview of goals for the week’s talks: determining a framework for market access negotiations and the relationship between the TPP agreement and pre-existing FTAs, and defining a path forward on so-called “horizontal” issues including small business priorities, regulatory coherence, competitiveness, supply chains, development, and regional integration. Negotiators also discussed the amount of progress they hope to make this week in order to be in a position to begin drafting text before the third round of TPP talks in October.

In the afternoon, various working groups met to begin negotiations in specific issue areas:

*Technical Barriers to Trade

*Market Access

*Legal and Institutional

*Cross-Border Services

*Competition

*Investment

*Environment

USTR hopes to report progress from these groups as the week continues. The first day of San Francisco negotiations closed with a U.S. delegation debriefing on the day.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership offers tremendous opportunities for U.S. exporters. In a world where 95 percent of consumers reside outside our borders, the Asia-Pacific region comprises 40 percent of the global population. These dynamic economies are growing faster than the world average and generated 56 percent of global GDP in 2009. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market in the world for U.S. exports and receives two-thirds of U.S. agricultural exports. The Obama Administration is committed to increasing these exports and creating more jobs here at home through the TPP.

This week, USTR.gov will highlight how states across the country benefit from trade with the Asia-Pacific Region. Today, we are showcasing Washington.

Jobs supported by Washington’s goods exports are estimated to be 332,000. Washington’s manufacturing exports accounted for 45.1 percent of its manufacturing output. More than two-fifths (41.4 percent) of all manufacturing workers in Washington depend on exports for their jobs, the highest share among all 50 states. Although not measured, there are also additional jobs supported by Washington’s exports of services.

A total of 8,042 companies exported goods from Washington locations in 2007. Of those, 7,196 (89 percent) were small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with fewer than 500 employees.

Washington’s export shipments of merchandise in 2009 totaled $51.7 billion. Of Washington’s total exports, $33.0 billion, or 64 percent, went to markets in the Asia-Pacific region. The top three product categories to TPP member economies exported in 2009 were transportation equipment, computers and electronic products, and petroleum and coal products.

Small and medium-sized firms generated nearly one-sixth (16 percent) of Washington’s total exports of merchandise in 2007. Notably, small and medium-sized firms benefit from the tariff-elimination provisions of free trade agreements. The transparency obligations, particularly those in the customs chapters, are vital to small and medium-sized firms, which may not have the resources to navigate customs and regulatory red tape.

On June 14, the second round of negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement began in San Francisco, California. The eight initial countries involved in the TPP are the United States, Singapore, Chile, New Zealand, Brunei, Australia, Peru, and Vietnam.

The Obama Administration intends for this high-standard, 21st-century trade agreement to expand U.S. exports to the dynamic economies of the Asia-Pacific, create and retain American jobs. integrate American companies in Asia-Pacific production and supply chains, and promote new technologies and emerging economic sectors. Importantly, it will create more opportunities for America’s small- and medium-sized companies, prioritize labor and environmental protections, and foster development.

This week’s negotiating round in San Francisco will focus on setting the framework and pace of the negotiations. Stakeholders and Congressional staff have been invited to participate in a series of activities on-site throughout the week.

In 2009, U.S. goods exports to the Asia-Pacific region totaled $618 billion, agriculture exports were $72 billion, and U.S. services exports to the region grew to $187 billion. U.S. small and medium-sized enterprises alone exported $193 billion to the Asia-Pacific in 2009.

USTR formally notified Congress of the Obama Administration's intent to enter into negotiations of the TPP on December 14, 2009. Since then, USTR has been working with Congress and stakeholders to obtain public input in the negotiations through briefings, advisory meetings, and comments from federal register notices. USTR is also conducting a fifty-state domestic outreach program to meet face-to-face with stakeholders across the country about the agreement.

The first round of negotiations took place from March 15-19 in Melbourne, Australia.

For more information on the TPP negotiations, visit www.ustr.gov/tpp-san-francisco.

This week, Americans with interests ranging from labor rights to agriculture to environmental protection and other issues have been invited to join USTR in San Francisco, California for the second round of negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement - a high-standard, regional, Asia-Pacific trade agreement that will help to expand American exports, saving and creating good jobs here at home..

USTR is excited and pleased to have the participation of more than 25 organizations in San Francisco this week. USTR staff will brief participating stakeholders daily, as well as holding individual and group meetings as requested on various areas of interest. Various groups will also be able to give on-site presentations to trade negotiators from the eight participating TPP economies. Registered groups are:

• AFL-CIO

• American Farm Bureau Federation

• American Sugar Alliance

• California Farm Bureau Federation

• California Public Health Association-North

• Center for Policy Analysis on Trade and Health (CPATH)

• Citizens Trade Campaign

• FedEx Express

• Friends of the Earth

• Intel

• International Forum on Globalization

• Land O Lakes

• National Center for APEC

• National Farmers Union

• National Milk Producers Federation

• National Pork Producers Council

• Oceana

• Oregon Fair Trade Campaign

• PETA

• Public Citizen

• Sierra Club

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce

• Yale Law Offices

USTR is currently conducting an unprecedented 50-state domestic outreach program to engage with the American people and involve them in the TPP negotiation process. Since the formal announcement in December, 2009 of the United States’ intent to join the TPP, stakeholders with have been asked for input on the agreement in a variety of forms, from Federal Register notices to online chats and in-person briefings.

If you have questions or would like to provide comments on the TPP or the current negotiations, please visit USTR’s TPP page. And be sure to follow the negotiations on USTR’s TPP San Francisco page.

Today, the second round of negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership kicked off in San Francisco. Here's what some people are saying about the round:

U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations 

Oceana

U.S. Business Coalition for TPP

Emergency Committee for American Trade

To learn more about this round, visit the TPP San Francisco page.

Schedule for Monday, June 14 at the second round of negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement in San Francisco, California:

8:30 a.m. – On-site briefing for participating U.S. stakeholder groups - led by senior USTR staff

9:30 a.m. – Plenary session

Afternoon negotiations in Working Groups:

• Technical Barriers to Trade

• Market Access

• Legal and Institutional

• Cross-Border Services

• Competition

• Investment

• Environment

Evening: U.S./Host Press Briefing – press may go here for more information

The Obama Administration is working in the Trans-Pacific Partnership to develop a high-standard, 21st century, Asia-Pacific regional trade agreement that reflects this Administration’s priorities, including job creation and retention, integrating U.S. companies into Asia-Pacific production and supply chains, promoting new technologies and emerging economic sectors, and boosting small businesses, all while and promoting environmental protection and conservation, transparency, worker rights, and development. The second round of TPP talks is taking place this week in San Francisco.

Deputy United States Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis held a second day of meetings in Hanoi today, exchanging views with key Vietnam officials on next steps in U.S.-Vietnam economic relations and outstanding bilateral issues. He met with several members of Vietnam’s National Assembly, who were eager to discuss the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the potential benefits of the agreement.   

Ambassador Marantis gave a speech to more than 200 students at the Foreign Trade University. He outlined U.S. trade policy, highlighting the National Export Initiative and the priority the Obama Administration places on further building economic relations with the Asia-Pacific region and with Vietnam, where trade has grown 15-fold since the Bilateral Trade Agreement with Vietnam was signed in 2001.   

To conclude his time in Hanoi, Ambassador Marantis briefed the Vietnam press on the U.S.-Vietnam goals and results of his visit. Issues being discussed this week also include continued implementation of Vietnam’s WTO commitments, protection of intellectual property rights, opportunities arising from cooperation in the field of agricultural biotechnology, market access for a range of U.S. goods including U.S. potatoes, fruits and beef, and other important topics.

On his second day in Hanoi, Deputy United States Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis conducted intensive discussions with Vietnamese government officials on a wide range of regional and bilateral issues. The United States and Vietnam have seen tremendous growth in their bilateral economic relationship in recent years, with two-way trade expanding from $1 billion in 2001 to $15.4 billion in 2009. Ambassador Marantis and Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem acknowledged this growth in their meeting today and emphasized the importance of continued progress, including through the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, which the United States, Vietnam and six other Asia-Pacific economies are negotiating.   

Ambassador Marantis also met with Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang. They discussed their goals for the second round of TPP negotiations, to be held in San Francisco during the week of June 15, and how to develop it into a high-standard, 21st century regional trade agreement. He also underscored important bilateral issues affecting industrial goods, agricultural goods, and intellectual property. Ambassador Marantis continued his discussion of key agricultural issues with Minister of Agriculture Development Cao Duc Phat. In particular, Ambassador Marantis highlighted the significant benefits of the U.S.-Vietnam bilateral relationship and the importance of Vietnam as an export market for U.S. agricultural goods. He also raised specific market access issues, including ensuring full access to U.S. beef consistent with international science and concerns over a pending regulation on the import of fresh and frozen animal products.   

Ambassador Marantis also delivered remarks at a lunch co-hosted by AmCham Hanoi and the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council.   

Ambassador Marantis speaks to business leaders in Hanoi, Vietnam

Yesterday, Ambassador Marantis held meetings with Vice Minister Pham Minh Huan, of the Ministry of Labor. There, Ambassador Marantis emphasized the need for Vietnam to continue to work closely with the International Labor Organization and the United States as it works to meet internationally recognized worker rights, especially the freedom or association and collective bargaining.

On June 8, USTR joined Congressman Adam Schiff for a constituent roundtable on intellectual property protection at DreamWorks Animation SKG in Glendale, California. Assistant US Trade Representative Stan McCoy joined Congressman Schiff and constituents in discussing the Administration's efforts to fight piracy and counterfeiting in overseas markets. Topics included IP enforcement in China, the ongoing Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement negotiations, key challenges such as internet piracy and unauthorized camcording of movies, and recent developments in intellectual property trade policy.

This week Ambassador Demetrios Marantis is traveling to Hanoi, Vietnam to meet with Vietnamese government officials and business leaders. Discussions will center on America’s growing trade and investment relationship with this dynamic and rapidly developing country of 86 million people. This week's trade spotlight is trade relations with Vietnam.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of reestablishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries and the 10 year anniversary of the signing of the U.S.-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). Fifteen years ago, our two countries shared little common ground and had almost no trade between them. Today, Vietnam is our 30th largest trading partner, providing an annual $15 billion in annual two-way trade. 

With the start of the BTA in 2001, trade between Vietnam and the United States began to grow dramatically. The groundbreaking agreement was a starting point for deepening bilateral cooperation on Vietnam’s fundamental economic reforms. Since then, Vietnam has demonstrated its dedication to reform by building a private sector, creating jobs for its young and growing population, and joining the World Trade Organization in 2007. The United States and Vietnam are also negotiating a Bilateral Investment Treaty and both are participating in the Trans-Pacific Partnership. 

In addition to the marked transformation the BTA precipitated in Vietnam, our bilateral trade and investment with the country has brought tremendous benefits to United States businesses and workers. 

Briskheat, an Ohio industrial heat provider, has been exporting its heat trace products for more than three decades and attributes approximately 25 percent of its sales to foreign markets, including Vietnam. Just this past year, Briskheat, which currently employs more than 200 Americans, created approximately 60 jobs at home by exporting abroad. The company understands the importance of building free trade agreements with Vietnam. 

Another U.S. firm, International Truck Sales, LLC in Pooler, Georgia relies on exports, especially to Vietnam, to sustain 95 percent of its gross sales. The company’s president Adriaan Vermaas explains that while the U.S. market is saturated with used trucks and equipment, these products are still relatively new and in high demand in countries like Vietnam. By focusing on untapped markets abroad, this Georgia firm stays competitive. 

Such American business accomplishments have contributed to last year’s 11 percent increase in exports to Vietnam to more than $3 billion. Vietnam was one of the few markets in Asia in which United States exports grew, despite the worldwide economic downturn. 

In his discussions this week, Ambassador Marantis hopes to strengthen and expand our trade relations with Vietnam, a country that continues to offer great opportunities as we strengthen the ties between our two nations.

As part of the flagship initiative of USTR’s Open Government Plan, USTR chief negotiator for the TPP Barbara Weisel and members of her team will hold a second online chat to answer questions regarding the negotiations throughout the week of June 14 on USTR.gov. Questions can be submitted via USTR.gov beginning Monday, June 7 at www.ustr.gov/tpp/comment.    

Through the TPP, the Obama Administration is seeking to develop a high-standard, 21^st century, regional trade agreement that begins with eight like-minded countries (the U.S., Australia, Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam) and eventually includes countries across the Asia-Pacific region.  The agreement will advance U.S. interests with some of the most dynamic economies in the world and help increase American exports, which are critical to the creation and retention of high-paying, high-quality jobs in the United States.     

Public input is critical to ensuring that the agreement achieves these goals and addresses the interests and concerns of U.S. stakeholders.  

On May 27, Ambassador Kirk was in Paris, France to meet with various key trade ministers to discuss the WTO Doha negotiations. The National Manufacturers Association (NAM) released a statement regarding these meetings. You can read it here.

On June 4, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis will attend 2010 APEC Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade. This week's trade spotlight is the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum was established in 1989 in response to the growing interdependence among Asia-Pacific economies. Starting out as an informal dialogue group, APEC has now become the primary regional vehicle for promoting open trade and practical economic cooperation. Its goal is to advance Asia-Pacific economic dynamism and sense of community.   

APEC countries consist of Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, United States and Vietnam.   

The Asia-Pacific – spanning over 20 time zones, home to over 40 percent of the world’s population, and speaking at least 20 major languages – today accounts for more than half of global economic output and almost half of world trade. Even given the deteriorating global economy in 2009, U.S. goods exports to the Asia-Pacific region totaled $618 billion. Agriculture exports were $72 billion and U.S. services exports to the region grew to $187 billion. U.S. small and medium-sized enterprises alone exported $193 billion to the Asia-Pacific in 2009. These APEC realities show up where they matter most – in the paychecks and pocketbooks of American manufacturers, workers, farmers, ranchers, and service providers.   

A telecommunications firm in Alabama, which employees almost 1,000 people, has been exporting for 13 years to over 50 nations, primarily to Asian countries. In South Carolina, a manufacturing firm that exports raw materials to businesses in Chile, employees 160 workers – each one relying solely on international trade for his or her job.   

Ambassador Kirk announced in March that the 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Trade Ministerial will be held in Big Sky, Montana during the week of May 23, 2011. The APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting ("MRT") is held annually by the APEC host economy for that year, in order to advance APEC's trade and investment and regional economic integration agenda, and provide support for the multilateral trading system.

On Friday, Deputy United States Trade Representative Miriam Sapiro concluded a two-day trip to Paris, France, where she attended the annual Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Ministerial Conference Meeting (MCM).

Ambassador Sapiro at the OECD

Ambassador Sapiro represented the U.S. Government at the OECD MCM’s Trade Session, which provided an opportunity for Trade Ministers from around the world to discuss actions that they can take, individually and together, to open markets further and support global economic recovery. In her remarks before the Trade Session, Ambassador Sapiro said that “Collectively, to generate sustained economic growth, development and employment, we need to remain vigilant in ensuring a global trading system that is rules-based and embodied by a dynamic WTO.” She also expressed the United States’ continued support for the successful completion of the Doha Round, stressing that this must include meaningful contributions of all key WTO members – developed and advanced developing countries alike.

Deputy Secretary of State Jacob Lew, U.S. Ambassador to the OECD Karen Kornbluh,

and Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Sapiro between meetings at the OECD

While in Paris, Ambassador Sapiro met with trade officials from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, France, Israel, Korea, New Zealand, and Switzerland. These meetings provided Ambassador Sapiro with the opportunity to engage key trading partners on a broad range of issues of mutual interest.

For more information about the OECD, please see our Weekly Trade Spotlight.

Ambassador Sapiro met with Ángeles González-Sinde, Spain’s Minister of Culture, on May 25th to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest, including matters relating to intellectual property.

Spain is currently our 29th largest goods trading partner, with $16.6 billion in total two-way goods trade during 2009. Also, as a member of the European Union, Spain is part of the largest and most complex trade relationship in the world. Trade and investment flowing between the U.S. and the European Union totals about $2.7 billion a day and supports 14 million jobs.