Key U.S. Policy Priorities
WTO as the foundation of the rules-bases multilateral trading
system, and multilateral negotations. After the
collapse of the Doha talks in July 2008 U.S. Trade
Representative Susan Schwab declared; "None of us can afford any
diminution in this organization’s role as the guardian of a
progressively liberalizing trading system based on
non-discrimination and fair play for all. It also is the
centerpiece in our efforts to bring the developing countries
increasingly into the global economy on terms that enable them
to benefit fully from the opportunities created by international
trade."
Support the creation of Regional Trade Agreements:
FTAA: The United States continues to support the creation of a Free
Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and is working to achieve this goal partly
through the negotiation of subregional and bilateral trade agreements in the
Western Hemisphere, says Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for the Americas
Everett Eissenstat.
CAFTA: The U.S. - Central America Free Trade Agreement - Dominican
Republic (CAFTA-DR), signed August 5, 2004, is an historic agreement that
creates the second-largest free trade zone in Latin America for U.S. exports.
Under this agreement, the Dominican Republic joins the Central American Free
Trade Agreement (CAFTA) signed earlier in 2004 with Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Upon entry into force, the CAFTA-DR
agreement will eliminate eighty percent of the tariffs immediately, with the
remaining tariffs phased out over 10 years.
Maintain strong economic relations with China: In a September 20 statement
announcing the creation of the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue, President
Bush said that he and China’s president, Hu Jintao, had discussed the
“importance of maintaining strong and mutually beneficial U.S.-China economic
relations" and the need to establish such a framework.
For further information on US-China relations see our
China
Dossier.
Advance the Transatlantic Dialogue: The United States and the European Union
share the largest bilateral trade and investment relationship in the world,
accounting for over $1.5 trillion. In order to ensure that this critically
important economic relationship continues to thrive, President Bush and his EU
counterparts established in 2002 the 'Positive Economic Agenda' to advance
bilateral cooperation to reduce trade frictions and foster expanded
transatlantic commerce.
Major US Government Statements
A select list of major statements on United States foreign trade with policy value.
- Global Trade Talks End Without Breakthrough (2008-07-30)
- Statement by President Bush on House Action on Trade Agreements (2008-04-11)
- Bush Remarks on Colombia Free Trade Agreement (2008-04-07)
- Free Trade Agreement Vital to U.S. Economy, National Security (2008-02-26)
- Trade Has Little Bearing on U.S. Income Inequality (2008-02-11)
Latest US Government Statements
The five most recent statements in reverse chronological order.
- USTR Kirk Says Services Trade Plan Essential to Trade Talks (2009-10-13) ...
- Trade Panel Tells China to Allow More U.S. Entertainment Imports (2009-08-12) ...
- Press Conference by Presidents Obama, Calderon and PM Harper (2009-08-10) ...
- Secretary Clinton’s Question-and-Answer Session on Foreign Policy (2009-07-16) ...
- White House Press Briefing by Mike Froman and Todd Stern (2009-07-10) ...
US Government Fact Sheets
The five most recent fact sheets.
- Expanding Economic Opportunities Through Free and Fair Trade (2008-05-23)
- U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (2008-04-08)
- APEC Leaders Embrace President Bush’s Vision (2006-11-20)
- USTR Statement Affirming Backing for Successful WTO Negotiations (2006-07-24)
- Middle East Free Trade Area Initiative (2006-06-22)






Foreign
Direct Investment:


