USTR Update on Implementation of Korea, Colombia, Panama FTAs
On January 25, 2012, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative issued another update on implementation efforts for the free trade agreements with Korea, Colombia, and Panama. Among other things, the parties are consulting on outstanding issues and receiving and analyzing materials regarding the steps necessary to bring the FTAs into force.
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Meeting with Korean Officials Jan 27-28 to Address Outstanding Issues
According to USTR, Assistant USTR Cutler will lead a USTR delegation to meet with her Korean counterpart in Los Angeles on January 27-28, 2012. The U.S. and Korea will be taking stock of implementation discussions conducted to date and consulting on outstanding issues.
Receiving & Analyzing Materials from Colombia and Panama
USTR is continuing to receive and analyze materials from Colombia and Panama regarding the steps necessary to bring those agreements into force.
FTA Implementation Steps Previously Outlined by USTR
USTR has previously outlined the following steps toward FTA implementation:
- Ratification. The parties’ legislatures must ratify the FTAs, which has occurred in all involved countries.
- Cooperative implementing work. Cooperative work is underway with the parties to review both countries’ laws and regulations, and ensure compliance with the obligations of the FTA that will take effect on the day the FTA enters into force. U.S. officials are also consulting with Congress and with U.S. stakeholders.
- Compliance. Each partner country must demonstrate that it is in compliance with those obligations that will take effect on day one in order for the FTAs to enter into force.
- Labor Action Plan. In the case of Colombia, the Administration will also ensure that Colombia has successfully implemented key elements of the Labor Action Plan before bringing that agreement into force.
- Exchange of diplomatic notes. The provisions of the FTAs provide for entry into force through the exchange of formal diplomatic notes at a time agreeable to both countries. In the U.S., the President must first determine that the trading partner has come into compliance with obligations that will take effect when the agreement enters into force.
- Proclamation for tariff changes, etc. The FTA implementing bills contain all changes to U.S. law necessary to bring the U.S. into compliance with the agreements. In addition to these changes in U.S. law, for each FTA, the U.S. will issue a proclamation containing specific tariff revisions and product-specific rules, and make additional administrative and regulatory changes covering issues such as customs and procurement.
(See ITT’s Online Archives 11112862, 11120624, 11122116, 11122219, and 12010926 for previous summaries of USTR updates on implementation of the three FTAs.
See ITT’s Online Archives 11102103 for summary of the President’s signature of the implementing legislation for the three FTAs.)