USTR Wants APEC to Make Low Value Goods Duty-Free, Reduce NTBs
On April 13-14, 2011, U.S. Trade Representative Kirk detailed1 the steps the U.S. was taking to move forward on the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum's 2011 priority goals of: (1) strengthening regional economic integration and expanding trade; (2) promoting green growth; and (3) advancing regulatory cooperation and convergence.
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Wants to Expedite Low Value Shipments as Part of APEC Supply Chain Plan
APEC is working to reduce the time, cost, and uncertainty of moving goods through the region with its Supply Chain Connectivity Action Plan. As part of the plan, the U.S. is currently working on initiatives with other APEC economies to help U.S. businesses export to the Asia-Pacific region. (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/16/10 news, 10111602, for BP summary.)
The U.S. also seeks to discuss ways to establish a commercially useful baseline de minimis value with its APEC partners to expedite the shipment of goods under a certain value. USTR Kirk states that this could lower exporting costs and benefit small businesses by allowing relevant low value shipments to enter economies without paying duties or taxes, and allowing customs officials to process those relevant shipments more quickly.
Talking with APEC About Rulemaking Assessments, Etc. to Reduce NTBs
To advance regulatory cooperation and convergence, the U.S. is working in APEC to prevent or reduce non-tariff trade barriers (NTBs), improve the investment environment, and produce better regulatory outcomes. The U.S. is discussing with its APEC partners concepts like stronger internal coordination of rulemaking, regulatory impact assessment, and public consultation to help small businesses that lack major resources navigate requirements in foreign markets. USTR Kirk states that in particular, such discussions are advancing in emerging sectors related to green growth such as smart grid, green building materials, and solar technologies.
Trying to Gain Agreement on Tariff-Free, Temp Import of Low-Carbon Demo Cars
With regard to promoting green growth, the U.S. is working to gain agreement from APEC economies for streamlined, tariff-free temporary import of advanced, low-carbon demonstration vehicles to encourage greater research and development for such research vehicles by reducing the time and cost of exporting them for trials in foreign markets. Kirk notes that gaining greater access to such research data is essential for U.S. automakers to tailor their production and sale strategies to specific markets and stay competitive in new and growing ones.
Tariffs of All APEC Members on WebTR, U.S Looking to Add Trade Agreements
USTR Kirk noted that in 2010, USTR put all the information regarding tariff schedules and rules of origin for all 21 APEC economies in English on one website, called WebTR. In 2011, he states that USTR is looking at ways to expand WebTR with additional information, such as summaries of existing trade agreements, so businesses and their customers can more easily take advantage of trade opportunities throughout the region. WebTR can be accessed here.
U.S. to Host Joint Meeting of Trade Ministers to Help SMEs Protect IPR, Etc.
The U.S. will be hosting a joint meeting of Trade Ministers and small business ministers in Big Sky, Montana, to focus on identifying top barriers small businesses face when exporting in the region and how APEC can address these barriers in ways that will provide a real benefit for small businesses. One idea the USTR would like to explore would be for APEC economies to provide contact information for relevant authorities that can be used by a small business if they suspect that their intellectual property is being stolen. Economies could also provide relevant information and guidance on the legal protections provided for intellectual property.
(Note that at the March 11-13, 2011 senior official's meeting of the APEC forum, Secretary of State Clinton outlined the U.S. economic strategy for cooperating with APEC in 2011, which includes delivering results in (i) addressing next generation trade and investment issues; (ii) reducing the time, cost, and uncertainty of moving goods through regional supply chains; (iii) achieving environmentally sustainable growth; and (iv) implementing good regulatory practices.)
1Kirk spoke on April 13, 2011 at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Annual Trade Symposium and on April 14 at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 03/15/11 news, 11031528, for BP summary of APEC's 2011 trade and regulatory cooperation priorities.
See ITT's Online Archives or 04/01/11 news, 11040130, for BP summary of USTR remarks on protecting IPR, reducing NTBs, etc. with APEC economies.)
Press release on APEC supporting the TPP process is available here.
Press release on Clinton's remarks on APEC is available here.
USTR Kirk's remarks at the CBP Annual Trade Symposium are available here.
USTR Kirk's remarks at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs are available here.