USTR, Commerce Seek Comments on FTAs' Performance, Trade Relationships With Non-FTA WTO Partners

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Commerce Department are seeking comments through July 31 on the performance of U.S. free trade agreements as well as on trade relations with World Trade Organization members with whom the U.S. runs a significant trade deficit but holds no FTA, USTR said (here). Those countries are China, the EU, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, according to USTR. An April 29 executive order tasked Commerce and USTR with submitting to the White House performance reviews to cover violations or abuses of any U.S. FTA, investment agreement, WTO rule governing any trade relation under the WTO, or trade preference program hurting U.S. workers (see 1705010018). The agencies are also asking for comments on whether unfair trade practices and/or agreements, treaties or programs have harmed U.S. intellectual property rights. Further, the Trump administration is seeking information on agreements, treaties or preference programs regarding any successes or setbacks with respect to new jobs created, favorable effects on the trade balance, expanded market access, lower trade barriers or increased U.S. exports.