Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 20:12:33 GMT Server: Apache/1.2.4 Last-Modified: Tue, 04 Mar 1997 18:59:04 GMT ETag: "9f643-eb3-331c70f8" Content-Length: 3763 Accept-Ranges: bytes Connection: close Content-Type: text/html Trade News Vol 1, No. 6 (5/96)

U.S. Trade News Vol. 1, No. 6 (5/96)


USTR Seal

Office of Trade Representative Announces "Special 301" Provisions

The Office of the United States Trade Representative ("USTR") announced the Administration's decision with respect to this year's review under the so-called "special 301" provisions of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended. The provisions require the USTR to determine whether the acts, policies and practices of foreign countries deny adequate and effective protection of Intellectual Property rights to U.S. companies or persons who require intellectual property protection.

The report identified China as a "priority foreign country" and placed eight countries (Argentina, Greece, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Turkey, and the European Union) under its "priority watch list." The administration reiterated its commitment to ensure full and effective implementation of the "special 301" provisions of the Trade Act and rapid implementation of the WTO Trips Agreement. Individuals wishing to view and download the full report can obtain it from the USTR Web Site


Capitol at Night

GSP Renewal Remains Unresolved

The Generalized System of Preferences' ("GSP") renewal was cast in doubt last week when it was not included in the Omnibus Appropriations Bill. The U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommitte on Trade, has informed the public that the next legislative vehicle which could contain provisions for GSP renewal is the OECD shipbuilding pact bill or another miscellaneous trade bill.

Staff at Congress is still operating under the assumption that GSP renewal would be retroactive. However, as time goes by, the process becomes more difficult and expensive. Importers who had been entering merchandise that had traditionally been duty free under GSP, are now required to pay a tariff on the merchandise which will be refunded if and when GSP is renewed.


Canadian FlagU.S. Flag

U.S.-Canada Reach Agreement on Softwood Lumber

The United States and Canada have finally reached an agreement in their long standing dispute over cross border trade in softwood lumber products. The agreement includes specific commitments from Canada concerning the amount of exported lumber. It will be necessary to determine the amount of softwood that enters the U.S. on a province by province basis.

The U.S. Customs Service will begin gathering information to determine the provincial origin of each export of softwood lumber goods that is coming from Canada. The dispute originally began when the U.S. manufacturers initiated a countervailing duty proceeding against Canada. The manufacturers claimed that several provinces in Canada had been subsidizing the cutting of the softwood lumber. It remains to be seen how the newly formed agreement will be received by industry members of both countries.


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