WASHINGTON –
Deputy US Trade Representatives Susan Schwab and Peter Allgeier will lead a US
delegation to the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development)
meetings in Paris May 23-24. They will use these meetings to advance ongoing
World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations.
"We’re in a critical period in the Doha Development Agenda negotiations,"
said Ambassador Schwab. "We are approaching some key deadlines that must be met
for the United States Congress to approve any Doha agreement under Trade
Promotion Authority legislation that expires July 1 next year."
Six months ago, the U.S. put forward a bold proposal to jumpstart the talks.
The U.S. proposal not only met, but exceeded expectations. It is widely accepted
as the most aggressive proposal on offer to bring down trade barriers and
generate new trade flows. Other trading partners have not met yet this level of
ambition, and need to redouble their efforts. The United States remains
committed to a successful and ambitious outcome in the Doha negotiations.
The schedule for Paris is still tentative, but Schwab and Allgeier plan to
meet with EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson, Kenyan Trade Minister Mukhisha
Kituyi, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade Mark Vaile, among
other colleagues.
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