U.S., India make headway on WTO trade facilitation

The two countries today reached an agreement that paves the way for full implementation of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement.    The United States and India today reached an agreement that paves the way for full implementation of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), the first multilateral trade agreement to be concluded in the history of the organization.  
   The agreement also acknowledges an understanding between the two countries on the WTO’s food security work.
   Last year, at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Bali, Indonesia, efforts to put the TFA in place were dealt a setback in July, when a small group of countries, led by India, raised concerns about food security issues and blocked its implementation.  
   “We have overcome that delay and now have agreement with India to move forward with full implementation,” said U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman in a statement.
   “In recent days, officials of both governments worked intensively and reached an agreement that should give new momentum to multilateral efforts at the WTO.  In doing so, the United States and India reaffirm their joint commitment to the success and credibility of the WTO,” Froman added.
   Also this week, the United States reached agreement with China on aspects of the WTO’s Information Technology Agreement.