API Aims to Use WTO to Scale Back Crude Export Restrictions, Says Senator
The American Petroleum Institute (API) is devising a strategy to dismantle American crude oil export restrictions through the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute process, said Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., in a Dec. 3 letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman. The U.S. should oppose any attempt to scale back U.S. law that currently prevents crude export, said Markey, citing recent media coverage.
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“API’s reported plan -- to assemble a legal analysis that could enable a foreign nation to bring suit against the United States through the World Trade Organization -- is a strategy designed to undermine existing U.S. law, circumvent Congress and the legislative process, and ignore the will of the American people,” said Markey. Moreover, the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) of 1975, which prevents crude export, is consistent with WTO agreements that preserve the right of countries to conserve exhaustible natural resources, said Markey. “Despite the oil industry’s apparent desire to lift U.S. restrictions [on] crude oil exports, challenges to WTO obligations can only be made by other WTO nations, not by trade associations or other interested parties,” said Markey. “As API is not a member of the WTO, it lacks the ability to utilize WTO’s rules and procedures to attempt to challenge EPCA. Therefore, the only way for API to seek to challenge U.S. restrictions on crude exports would be to convince another WTO member nation to bring such a challenge.”
API declined to comment on the claim. “We stand with the president and this administration’s efforts to double American exports and reduce our reliance on imports," said API spokesman Eric Wohlschlegel. "Free trade brings much needed jobs and economic opportunity to American families and workers. We encourage all of our elected officials to focus on what Americans care about most -- jobs.”
Email ITTNews@warren-news.com for a copy of the letter.