USTR Seeks Comments on Compliance with Telecommunications Trade Agreements
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice requesting comments by noon on December 17, 2004 for its annual review of the operation and effectiveness of all U.S. trade agreements regarding U.S. telecommunications products and services that are in force with respect to the U.S. The USTR states that it will conclude its review by March 31, 2005.
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For this review, the USTR is seeking comments on whether (partial list):
any World Trade Organization (WTO) member is acting in a manner that is inconsistent with its commitments under the WTO Basic Telecommunications Agreement or with other WTO obligations (e.g., the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), including the Annex on Telecommunications and the Reference Paper on Pro-Competitive Regulatory Principles) that affect market opportunities for U.S. telecommunications products and services;
Canada or Mexico has failed to comply with their telecommunications commitments or obligations under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA);
Chile or Singapore or any other free trade agreement (FTA) partner with an FTA that comes into force on or before January 1, 2005 has failed to comply with their telecommunications commitments or obligations under the respective FTAs between the U.S. and those countries; and
other countries have failed to comply with their commitments under additional telecommunications agreements with the U.S. (e.g., Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) for Conformity Assessment of Telecommunications Equipment).
- comments are due by noon on December 17, 2004
- reply comments are due by noon on January 17, 2005
USTR contact - Kenneth Schagrin (202) 395-5663
USTR notice (FR Pub 11/24/04) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-26033.pdf