House Ways and Means Subcommittee Schedules Hearing on Future Prospects for U.S. Participation in the WTO
The House Ways and Means Committee's Subcommittee on Trade has issued an advisory announcing that it will hold a hearing on May 17, 2005 in order to review future prospects for U.S. participation in the World Trade Organization (WTO).
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Hearing to Focus on Overall Results of U.S. Membership in WTO, Etc.
According to the advisory, the focus of the hearing will be to examine: (1) overall results of U.S. membership in the WTO and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), (2) whether future participation of the U.S. in the WTO and the multilateral trading system can be expected to benefit Americans, and (3) prospects for increased economic opportunities for U.S. farmers, workers, and consumers in the Doha Development Round, the current and ninth round of WTO negotiations which was launched in November 2001.
(The advisory states that on March 2, 2005, a joint resolution (H.J Res. 27) was introduced that would withdraw approval of the U.S. from the Agreement establishing the WTO. The advisory states that this resolution is privileged under section 124-125 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA) and the House Ways and Means Committee must consider it within 45 days or face discharge.
The advisory adds that on March 1, 2005 Congress received the second special report on U.S. participation in the WTO, which the President is required to submit every five years from the date the U.S. first joined the WTO. This report includes highlights, recent accomplishments, as well as cumulative assessments of major trade topics since the WTO was established, such as: (1) trade related aspects of international property rights and investment protection, (2) customs related matters, (3) continued operation of a sound and effective system to settle disputes, and (4) the 2001 launch of the Doha Development Round, etc.)
Written statements may be submitted in lieu of a personal appearance at the hearing by the close of business on May 23, 2005. See advisory for details, etc.
WTO Hearing Web page available at http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=detail&hearing=404
House Ways and Means Committee Advisory (TR-2, 05/05/05) available athttp://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=view&id=2633