Obama administration outlines trade pact enforcement

Obama administration outlines trade pact enforcement    The Obama administration has vowed to ensure that U.S. trade agreement commitments are met by other countries to ensure that U.S. workers aren't undercut.
   'Americans have believed that our government hasn't done enough to protect our trade rights,' said U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk in a speech at the U.S. Steel Mon Valley Works-Edgar Thomson Plant in Pittsburgh on Thursday. 'And, while our trading partners largely respect our agreements, sometimes those rules are violated. That's why enforcement cannot be an afterthought. It needs to be a centerpiece of trade policy.'
   President Obama has recently authorized the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to strengthen its trade enforcement efforts. Since 2001, the United States has entered into free trade agreements with 14 countries.
   'Our new approach to enforcement is simple,' Kirk said. 'We will deploy our resources more effectively to identify and solve problems at the source. But make no mistake: we will pursue legal remedies when other options are closed.'

Kirk

   Kirk cited how last month the United States filed suit at the World Trade Organization against China's domestic restrictions on exports of raw materials like manganese and coke. This practice has allowed China to keep prices on its products lower for Chinese producers than the global market price.
   'We have begun consultations with China on the issue,' Kirk said. 'We are prepared to take the case to the next step, if we do not reach an acceptable solution.'
   He added: 'One of the best ways we guarantee America's trade rights is by consistently monitoring our partners' trade practices. If they know we are holding a magnifying glass up to their actions, they'll be less likely to break the rules. So, we will use that magnifying glass on behalf of more American businesses.'
   Kirk highlighted several key measures that the U.S. government will use to better enforce existing trade agreements:
   ' Measures to spot and address trade barriers particularly affecting American agricultural producers and manufacturers, such as sanitary and phytosanitary requirements restricting U.S. agricultural exports and technical barriers impeding American producers' ability to trade globally.
   ' Increased coordination with State, Labor, Commerce and Agriculture departments and other federal agencies to identify and respond to trade barriers.
   ' Commitment to closer observation of foreign labor practices, and redress of substandard practices that 'tilt the playing field away' from U.S. workers in violation of trade agreement labor obligations.
   U.S. industry groups generally support the enforcement of trade agreements, but believe it should not be the Obama administration's sole policy toward trade.
   'In particular, we encourage the administration to redouble efforts to conclude a global trade deal and enact outstanding bilateral trade agreements, as well as pursue innovative strategies that would unlock new markets for U.S. businesses and workers,' said Bill Reinsch, president of the National Foreign Trade Council, in response to Kirk's speech. 'For example, the United States should take a leadership role in promoting trade in green technologies and introducing new ideas into the global trading system like a next-generation information technology agreement.'
   Kirk said the Obama administration would continue to pursue free trade agreements with other countries. 'New trade agreements can still open markets to U.S. goods and services, and so they are an important part of our mission,' he said. ' Chris Gillis