As the Trump administration moves forward with its trade agenda focused on bilateral agreements, the Office of the U. S. Trade Representative (USTR) has invited comments from stakeholders on potential trade agreements with the post-Brexit United Kingdom and the European Union. Yesterday’s announcement follows a similar invitation on October 26 seeking public input on a potential trade agreement with Japan.
As outlined below, USTR has asked for input on various aspects of the negotiations, but any issue you have with trade in a current or potential product (either importing or exporting) is relevant and comments on that issue/product will be welcome.
USTR will also host public hearings to receive input from stakeholders regarding the United States’ priorities and objectives for each of the potential trade agreements
Specific comments are requested by USTR on the following:
- General and product-specific negotiating objectives for the proposed agreement.
- Relevant barriers to trade in goods and services between the U.S. and the UK that should be addressed in the negotiations.
- Economic costs and benefits to U.S. producers and consumers of removal or reduction of tariffs and removal or reduction of non-tariff barriers on articles traded with the UK.
- Treatment of specific goods (described by HTSUS numbers) under the proposed agreement, including comments on:
- Product-specific import or export interests or barriers.
- Experience with particular measures that should be addressed in the negotiations.
- Ways to address export priorities and import sensitivities in the context of the proposed agreement.
- Customs and trade facilitation issues that should be addressed in the negotiations.
- Sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers to trade that should be addressed in the negotiations.
- Other measures or practices that undermine fair market opportunities for U.S. businesses, workers, farmers, and ranchers that should be addressed in the negotiations.
Key dates are:
- Japan
- Comments Due: November 26, 2018
- Hearing Details:
Date: December 10, 2018
Time: 9:30 AM
Address: U.S. International Trade Commission
500 E Street SW
Washington, DC 20436
- European Union
- Comments Due: December 10, 2018
- Hearing Details:
Date: December 14, 2018
Time: 9:30 AM
Address: Herbert C. Hoover Building
U.S. Dept. of Commerce
1401 Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20230
- United Kingdom
- Comments Due: January 15, 2019
- Hearing Details:
Date: January 29, 2019
Time: 9:30 AM
Address: U.S. International Trade Commission
500 E Street SW
Washington, DC 20436
If you need assistance in drafting comments or preparing for a hearing, OFW Law would be pleased to help.
