USTR Issues President's 2012 Trade Policy Agenda & 2011 Annual Report

The following is an outline of the 2012 Trade Policy Agenda and 2011 Annual Report:

The President's 2012 Trade Policy Agenda

The Administration's trade policy priorities in 2012 are listed as:

Supporting U.S. Exports

The Administration will focus on increasing U.S. exports by:

• Advancing the President's National Export Initiative;
• Implementing Trade Agreements with Korea, Colombia, and Panama;
• Building a Bold and Ambitious Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP);
• Leading Efforts to Open Markets through the World Trade Organization (WTO);
• Expanding Trade Opportunities across All Major Sectors;
• Building Better Export Markets through Regional Economic Integration; and
• Growing and Sustaining Innovation Economy Jobs.

Enforce U.S. Rights in a Strong, Rules-Based Trading System

The Administration will deploy creative and effective enforcement strategies to ensure that U.S. producers can compete successfully in world markets where intellectual property is protected, where agricultural and industrial regulations are based on science, and where transparent rules and regulations are applied without discrimination. The Administration states it will do this by:

• Enforcing and Upholding Obligations at the WTO;
• Holding China Accountable for WTO Commitments;
• Securing a Level Playing Field Under WTO Rules with the EU and Other Trading Partners;
• Addressing Concerns and Enhancing Transparency and Trade through the Rules-Based System of the WTO; and
• Exercising Rights under U.S. Trade Agreements.

Build and Bolster International Trade Relationships

The report lists the following countries and regional areas which the Administration would like to build and bolster trade relationships: China, Japan, India, Southeast Asia, Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, and the Americas

Regarding China, the report states the Administration will use all available tools in 2012 to ensure that China "engages in fair play on trade and that U.S. exporters have a fair shot to compete in China." In addition to enforcement efforts that aim to end discriminatory policies and unfair subsidies, the U.S. will also continue to press China to open investment opportunities, to complete negotiations to join the WTO Government Procurement Agreement by offering comprehensive coverage of its procurement, and to increase transparency and eliminate market access barriers in areas ranging from agricultural goods to services.

The Administration will also seek China’s complete implementation of its commitments to strengthen IPR protection and enforcement, including eliminating the use of illegal software by Chinese government entities. Focus will also remain on ensuring an end to China's discriminatory “indigenous innovation” policies.

Consider Future of GSP and AGOA, and Other Preference Programs

In 2012, the Administration will work closely with Congress to consider the future of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and other trade preference programs. The U.S. will also increase assistance to least developed countries (LDCs) to help increase their utilization of the tariff preferences available to them under GSP, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), and other preference programs, in recognition of the fact that these programs work best when paired together with effective assistance to help developing countries build up their capacity to trade.

Upholds American Values in TPP Talks

In 2012, dialog with Congress will continue as the Administration seeks input regarding rapidly advancing TPP negotiations, and the challenges and opportunities involved with potential new entrants that have expressed interest in possibly joining TPP. The Administration will also continue close consultation with Congress to develop U.S. negotiating positions, including on issues related to labor rights, environmental protections, state-owned enterprises, agriculture, and market-driven innovation policies, among others.

Chapter I on the President's 2012 Trade Policy Agenda is available here.

The World Trade Organization

This chapter outlines the work of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2011 and the work anticipated for 2012, including efforts to find new paths for the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) and to revitalize the WTO’s negotiating functions. This chapter also details work of WTO Standing Committees and their subsidiary bodies, provides an overview of the implementation and enforcement of the WTO Agreement, and discusses accessions of new members to this rules-based organization.

The report states that the paths pursued in the DDA negotiation to date have not led in fruitful directions. However, the report states this should enable fresh thinking about how the critical negotiating function of the WTO can achieve more satisfactory results in the future. During 2012, the U.S. will engage with other Members to explore innovative approaches -- within, and potentially beyond, the Doha mandate -- that will help to advance a vision of more open markets and trading opportunities, as well as improved trade rules.

Bilateral and Regional Negotiations and Agreements

The report also provides an overview of activity in 2011 and future developments with U.S. trade agreements with Australia, Bahrain Central America and the Dominican Republic (DR-CAFTA), Chile, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, the Northern American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Oman, Peru, and Singapore. It also provides information on other bilateral and regional initiatives, such as the Japan, Korea, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum.

Other Trade Activities

The report outlines the Administration's work in 2011 and plans for other trade activities, including trade and the environment; trade and labor; the Small and Medium-Sized Business Initiative; the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA); import food safety; and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Trade Enforcement Activities

Other trade enforcement activities mentioned in the report include enforcement of U.S. trade agreements through WTO dispute settlement, other monitoring and enforcement activities, and initiatives to address foreign standards and SPS barriers.

The Administration will also focus on U.S. trade laws, including:

• "Section 301" of the Trade Act of 1974, which is used to address foreign unfair practices affecting U.S. exports of goods or services;
• The "Special 301" identification of countries that deny adequate and effective protection for IPR;
• USTR's Section 1377 Review of Telecommunications Agreements;
• Antidumping and Countervailing Duty actions;
• Other import practices;
• Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA); and
• U.S. Preference Programs;

Trade Policy Development

The President's strategy for trade policy development includes, among other things building trade capacity (“Aid for Trade") through: (i) the Enhanced Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Assistance to Least-Developed Countries (IEF); (ii) WTO-related U.S. Trade Assistance; (iii) trade capacity initiatives for Africa; and (iv) free trade agreement negotiations.

Full text of the 2012 Trade Policy Agenda and 2011 Annual report is available here.

USTR Press Release on agenda and report (dated 03/01/12) available here.