1

U.S. and the WTO: overview

Washington, DC, February 13, 2012.

www.regfortrade.ru

2

Why does export matters?

The U.S. is the world's largest (2011): economy $15, 294 billion (GDP) exporter $2,103 billion importer $2,661 billion

Exports exceeded 13,7 % of U.S. GDP in 2011.

U.S. goods and services exports supported an estimated 10.3 million jobs in 2008US jobs supported by goods exports pay 13-18 percent more than the US national averageTrade expansion benefits families and businesses by:

• Supporting more productive, higher paying jobs in export sectors• Expanding the variety of products for purchase by consumers and business• Encouraging investment and more rapid economic growth• Trade keeps our economy open, dynamic, and competitive, and helps ensure that US continues to be one of the best place in the world to do business.

www.regfortrade.ru

3

Common Trade ProblemsCommon trade problems that U.S. companies have encountered:

• Tariff and customs barriers

• Service barriers

• Standards, testing, labeling, or certification barriers

• Rules of origin

• Government procurement contract barriers

• Intellectual property protection problems

• Excessive government requirements

• Excessive testing or licensing fees

• Bribery

• Investment

www.regfortrade.ru

4

U.S. Trade Agreements

Multilateral WTO

Free Trade Agreements (FTA)

• 17 FTAs signed• 3 FTAs signed, but not implemented• TPP in negotiations

Trade and Investment Framework

Agreements (TIFA)

45 TIFAs

Bilateral Investment Treaties (BIT)

40 BITs

Other Initiatives APECASEAN

Fre

e tr

ade

and

op

en m

arke

tswww.regfortrade.ru

5

U.S. Government and Trade Negotiations

ForeignCountry

WTOEU

China

Brazil

Canada

US Companies(in-house trade professionals)

Trade Associations (over 90 000)

Law Firms(896)

Lobbyists(12 633)

USTR Department of StateDepartment of

Commerce Department of

Agriculture

ITA FASBEBA

ITAC

FTAs, BITs,

TIFAs

Advisory committees

www.regfortrade.ru

6

Advisory Committee System• Established in 1974

• to ensure that U.S. trade policy and trade negotiating objectives adequately reflect U.S. public and private sector interests

• 28 advisory committees

• approximately 700 advisors

Advisory Committees: • Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations • Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee • Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade • Industry Trade Advisory Committees (ITAC)• Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee • Labor Advisory Committee • Trade Advisory Committee on Africa • Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee

Committee of Chairs of the Industry Trade Advisory Committees ITAC 01 - Aerospace EquipmentITAC 02 - Automotive Equipment and Capital GoodsITAC 03 - Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Health Science Products and ServicesITAC 04 - Consumer GoodsITAC 05 - Distribution ServicesITAC 06 - Energy and Energy ServicesTAC 07 - Forest ProductsITAC 08 - Information and Communications Technologies, Services, and Electronic CommerceITAC 09 - Non-Ferrous Metals and Building MaterialsITAC 10 - Services and Finance IndustriesITAC 11 - Small and Minority BusinessITAC 12 - SteelITAC 13 - Textiles and ClothingITAC 14 - Customs Matters and Trade FacilitationITAC 15 - Intellectual Property RightsITAC 16 - Standards and Technical Trade Barriers

www.regfortrade.ru

7

WTO Dispute settlement: U.S.experience

U.S. and WTO dispute settlement (1995-2012): As complainant 98As respondent 113As third party 93

www.regfortrade.ru

8

U.S.Trade Remedies under WTO rules

U.S.Trade Remedies Initiations (1995-2011):

Anti-dumping 452Countervailing 109Safeguards 10

www.regfortrade.ru

9

WTO dispute settlement: Measures affecting trade in large civil aircrafts

WTO

EuropeanCommunity

U.S.

Australia Brazil CanadaChinaJapan Korea

France GermanyUKSpain

2004– pres.

10

WTO dispute settlement: EC Bananas III

WTO

EuropeanUnion

U.S. Ecuador Guatemala Honduras Mexico

Belize; Cameroon; Canada; Colombia; Costa Rica; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Ghana; Grenada; Côte d’Ivoire; Brazil; Madagascar; Panama;

India; Jamaica; Japan; Nicaragua; Philippines; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Senegal; Suriname; Venezuela.

1996 – pres.

www.regfortrade.ru

11www.regfortrade.ru

Contact details:

Ph.D. in Economics, Viacheslav Evseevv.evseev@regfortrade.ru

Center for Customs Tariff and Non-Tariff Regulation Research

www.regfortrde.ru