Senate Finance Committee Held Hearing on Nomination of Robert Portman to be USTR
On April 21, 2005, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on the nomination of Robert Portman to be the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). The following are "highlights" of the Portman's written testimony that he states will guide his work if he is confirmed as USTR (partial list):
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U.S. needs to accelerate reduction of trade barriers - the U.S. needs to redouble efforts to open new opportunities for U.S. workers, farmers, and businesses by accelerating the reduction of trade barriers around the world;
Work with Congress to advance FTAs - work with Congress to advance free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations that are already underway with eleven countries, and continue the effort to create a Free Trade Area of the Americas;
Counterproductive or violative enforcement actions should not be used to enforce trade agreements and laws - the entire range of enforcement tools available will be considered with a fresh perspective and the focus will be on making sure U.S. strategy produces results that will actually help American workers and farmers. Portman stated that he does not believe that enforcement actions should be brought that are counterproductive, or in violation of U.S. international obligations;
Stop Chinese pirating of U.S. intellectual property, expand market access - focus on stopping Chinese pirating of U.S. intellectual property, rolling back China's industrial policies that exclude U.S. products, expanding market access for U.S. goods and services, and realizing China's full implementation of its commitments on transparency and distribution rights for American products.
China-specific enforcement tools (e.g., textile safeguards), currency valuation - work with Treasury Secretary Snow on the issue of China's currency valuation and will work with other Cabinet colleagues to use the China-specific enforcement tools, such as the China textiles safeguards, to protect U.S. markets from disruption;
Portman's hearing statement (dated 04/21/05) available at http://finance.senate.gov/hearings/testimony/2005test/rptest042105.pdf.