Statement by Ambassador Froman on the Release of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Text Washington, D.C. November 5, 2015 For the past five and half years, we have been working to negotiate the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a high standard agreement which supports more well-paying American jobs, strengthens our middle class, and advances both our interests and our …

Statements by the United States at the Meeting of the WTO Dispute Settlement Body Geneva, October 20, 2014

Today, April 14, the United States and Ukraine signed a loan guarantee agreement intended to unlock $1 billion in financing for the Government of Ukraine and bolster its ability to provide critical services as it implements necessary reforms, while protecting vulnerable Ukrainians from the impact of much-needed economic adjustments.

The new amendment to the GPA expands business opportunities for American firms to supply goods and services to foreign governments estimated to be worth between $80-100 billion annually.

We commend Tonga for undertaking important reforms since its accession and are encouraged by its comments that its WTO membership has been and continues to be a key catalyst to the legislative, regulatory, and administrative reforms which are necessary to revitalize Tonga’s economy.

United States Trade Representative Michael Froman will travel to Europe and Asia next week to address several major trade priorities of the Obama Administration.

This meeting of TPP Ministers has taken place as the 19th round of TPP negotiations gets underway in order to offer guidance to negotiators and help drive the negotiations to conclusion on the 2013 timeframe instructed by our Leaders.

The United States is outlining next steps in a longstanding effort to address in a meaningful way worker safety problems in Bangladesh and, more broadly, the ability of Bangladeshi workers to exercise their full range of labor rights.

As part of its ongoing efforts to intensify sanctions pressure on Iran, the U.S. Department of the Treasury took a series of related actions to disrupt efforts to evade sanctions on the Iranian regime.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) has been updating cash notes to better keep up with increasingly sophisticated and publicly available printing technologies.

The Administration’s success in removing unwarranted sanitary and phytosanitary barriers to U.S. exports is a critical element in expanding new markets for U.S. food and agricultural exports.

President Obama’s Signature Paves Way for Permanent Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Moldova. On August 22, 2012, Russia became the 156th Member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). On December 14, 2012, the President signed legislation – which had been approved overwhelmingly by the U.S. Congress – terminating the application of Jackson-Vanik and extending …

Michael Punke serves as Deputy United States Trade Representative and U.S. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland.

The two countries exchanged updates on their recent trade initiatives and consulted on ways to enhance cooperation on trade issues.

The United States provided a status report in this dispute on April 12, 2012, in accordance with Article 21.6 of the DSU.

The United States warmly welcomes the distinguished Minister and her delegation for the second WTO Trade Policy Review of the United Arab Emirates.

The United States is pleased to participate in Saudi Arabia’s first Trade Policy Review (TPR) since it joined the WTO in 2005.

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk will arrive in Geneva on Thursday, December 15, to participate in the 8th WTO Ministerial Conference. At the ministerial event, Kirk and his fellow ministers will discuss the state of play in the Doha Round of world trade negotiations and consider the terms of accession to the WTO for countries …

As the Asia-Pacific region assumes its role as the primary engine for global economic growth, the United States is stepping up efforts to maintain security in the region with a new rotational military presence in Australia intended to allow a more effective response to humanitarian and natural disasters, as well as security threats, President Obama …

The United States takes its WTO obligations seriously, and we are obviously pleased with this confirmation that, as we had said all along, our imposition of additional duties on Chinese tires was fully consistent with our WTO obligations.

1. SURVEILLANCE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED BY THE DSB A. UNITED STATES SECTION 211 OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 1998: STATUS REPORT BY THE UNITED STATES (WT/DS176/11/ADD.100) • Madame Chair, the United States provided a status report in this dispute on March 14, 2011, in accordance with Article 21.6 of the DSU. • As has …

Time is not our ally. In November, our Leaders described what was already a “narrow” window of opportunity and with each passing day this window narrows further. Likewise, there remain sizable substantive gaps that must be bridged if we are to succeed. We will not succeed unless we pick up and the pace and, most …

Mr. Chairman, the United States provided a status report in this dispute on February 11, 2011, in accordance with Article 21.6 of the DSU. As has been noted, a number of legislative proposals that would implement the DSB’s recommendations and rulings in this dispute were introduced in the 111th Congress. The U.S. Administration will continue …

Mr. Chairman, the United States provided a status report in this dispute on December 6, 2010, in accordance with Article 21.6 of the DSU. * As has been noted, a number of legislative proposals that would implement the DSB’s recommendations and rulings in this dispute were introduced in the First Session of the current (111th) …

Noting that President Obama and the other TPP Leaders instructed them to conclude the negotiations as swiftly as possible, the negotiators pressed ahead in the 24 negotiating groups. The teams advanced their work to develop the legal texts in each area that will detail the rights and obligations each country will assume, covering the full …

Many have stressed the importance of political signals, particularly from Leaders gatherings such as the G20 and APEC Leaders meetings. Some went the next step and suggested what particular messages needed to be conveyed. The signals from the G20 and the APEC Leaders meeting were clear and the content reflected those very messages that the …

The United States and Papua New Guinea work closely together on many issues of mutual interest, from fostering economic growth and advancing opportunities for women to combating climate change and protecting the environment. We are committed to deepening our partnership with Papua New Guinea both bilaterally and through our involvement in regional institutions including the …

With the end of a long and bitter civil war, Sri Lanka is confronted with the opportunity to boost economic development and provide increased economic opportunities for citizens across the island. The end of this conflict opens new hope and opportunity for prosperity to regain its foothold in your nation and for your country to …

Belize is a valued hemispheric partner of the United States. The United States is Belize’s largest trading partner, a major source of investment funds, and its largest provider of economic and military assistance. Approximately 5,000 American citizens live in Belize, almost a million visit annually, and the United States is home to the largest Belizean …

The United States notes the progress that the governments of Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali have made towards a market-based economy. We particularly appreciate these efforts under the constraints of their limited financial resources. We note each government’s continued efforts to reduce macroeconomic imbalances and liberalize their economies …

“Like most other WTO Members, the United States very largely resisted pressures to respond to the global economic recession by tightening restrictions on imports,”

The United States is committed to achieving a balanced and ambitious agreement in all areas of this negotiation. We have been engaged in a constructive dialogue on Antidumping, Fisheries Subsidies, Horizontal Subsidies, and Regional Trade Agreements for several years. Overall, the process seems to be working and we believe progress is being made.