Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
According to The Wall Street Journal, as public-health groups urge wider use of generic drugs to lower the cost of treating AIDS and other diseases in developing countries, U.S. trade negotiators, prodded by the drug industry, are seeking to strengthen protections in new trade pacts for more costly brand-name drugs. (WSJ, dated 07/06/04, www.wsj.com)
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1. U.S. Seeks Protections for Brand-Name Drugs In New Trade Pacts
2. Russia May Join WTO by the End of 2005
The Journal of Commerce Online reports that Russia could join the World Trade Organization (WTO) by the end of 2005, if it can reach bilateral accords this year with all those member states that demand them and if it can ensure its commercial laws are consistent with WTO regulations. (JoC Online, dated 07/19/04, www.joc.com)
3. U.S. and Mongolia Sign Bilateral TIFA
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. and Mongolia have signed a bilateral trade and investment framework agreement (TIFA). According to the press release, the TIFA creates a U.S.-Mongolia Council on Trade and Investment that will consider a wide range of issues. (USTR Press Release 2004-58, dated 07/15/04, available at http://www.ustr.gov/releases/2004/07/04-58.pdf)
4. U.S., Canada Agree to Assist Poor Countries in Importing Generic Drugs
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release stating that the U.S. and Canada have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which ensures that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) will not impede their efforts to assist poor countries in importing generic versions of patented drugs from Canada in response to health crises like HIV-AIDS. The USTR states that the U.S. urges Mexico to join the MOU, which took effect immediately. (USTR Press Release 04-59, dated 07/16/04, available at http://www.ustr.gov/releases/2004/07/04-59.pdf)