US Mission Geneva

Thank you, Chair. The United States is pleased to welcome the distinguished delegation from the SACU countries, led by Deputy Permanent Secretary Laletsang from Botswana, Principal Secretary Ramotsoari from Lesotho, Permanent Secretary Lindeque from Namibia, Chief Commissioner Tsengiwe from South Africa, and Principal Secretary Kunene from Swaziland to this review of the trade policies and practices of the Southern African Customs Union.

I welcome the opportunity to speak before the ECE Regional Review Meeting. The United States looks forward to participating in Beijing+15 next March. We are pleased that it will emphasize the “sharing of experiences and good practices, with a view to overcoming remaining obstacles and new challenges.”

The United States warmly welcomes the delegation from Malé, led by Deputy Minister of Economic Development Ahmed Inaz to this, the second Trade Policy Review of Maldives. Much has transpired since Maldives’ 2003 TPR, both globally and domestically. The United States appreciates the Secretariat’s and the government’s work in documenting the changes that have taken place since Maldives’ first TPR.

SURVEILLANCE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED BY THE DSB

• Mr. Chairman, the United States provided a status report in this dispute on October 12, 2009, in accordance with Article 21.6 of the DSU.

The U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT), established in 1983, is the main forum for addressing bilateral trade matters and promoting commercial opportunities between the United States and China. In 2003, the U.S. President and the Chinese Premier agreed to elevate the leadership of the JCCT, so it would be chaired by the [...]

USTR announced October 8 that the United States has asked the WTO to establish a dispute settlement panel regarding the European Union’s (EU) restrictions on imports of U.S. poultry. The United States has asked the panel to review whether the EU’s ban on the import and marketing of poultry meat and poultry meat products processed with pathogen reduction treatments (PRTs) judged safe by U.S. and European food safety authorities is consistent with the EU’s WTO obligations.

Chile has pursued sound economic policies for nearly three decades. Chile’s Government has received high marks from economists and its citizens for its countercyclical spending in 2009 to offset the effects of the global economic crisis. To its credit, Chile has refrained from introducing fundamental changes to its already-open trade policy and has managed to continue along the path of trade liberalization since 2003. We would like to recognize Chile’s open and transparent trade and investment regime and commend the delegation for the work your government has done to create a predictable business environment within Chile’s borders. Chile’s stable democratic institutions coupled with solid economic growth have provided an important example both regionally and globally of the benefits of open trade.

SURVEILLANCE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED BY THE DSB
Mr. Chairman, the United States provided a status report in this dispute on September 14, 2009, in accordance with Article 21.6 of the DSU.

I would like to first, to congratulate Ambassador Feyder (Luxembourg) on his election as President of the Trade and Development Board and to thank Ambassador Djani of Indonesia for his exceptional service in the same capacity. I also wish to congratulate the Vice Presidents on their election to the Board. We look forward to working together to ensure a faithful and full implementation of the Accra Accord.