US Mission Geneva

India is an increasingly important trading partner for the United States. The total value of trade in goods between our two countries has increased over threefold since 2001, with over half of that coming in the last five years despite the recent global economic downturn. Both countries also continue to significantly expand investment ties, with investment doubling in each direction since India’s last TPR. As President Obama highlighted during his visit to India last November, this booming trade and investment, led by the dynamic private sectors of our economies, has formed a critical component of the strategic partnership between our two countries.

At the last TNC, we attempted to be clear and honest in explaining our viewpoint on the current stage in our negotiations. We made clear that in looking forward to a possible package for December, it is essential that all major players make a major contribution. Since the last TNC, we have been asked to clarify our expectations for areas in which we are seeking a December result. Where we have put ideas on the table, we have taken care not to suggest what others might consider to be maximalist positions. As painful and difficult as the weeks ahead may be, let us not shirk from our collective responsibility to engage directly and honestly.

In remarks to the TNC on the current state of the Doha Round, Amb. Punke stated that “The United States has not given up on Doha, but we believe that the negotiations and the WTO more broadly, cannot avoid hard truths… As long as there are willing partners, we are willing to work together to find solutions.”

The United States continues to commend the government of Paraguay for its commitment to reform. The government reports that its commitment was validated economically in 2010 by an increase of 14.5 percent in real GDP over 2009.

From talking with many of my colleagues in recent days, I know that there is a great deal of concern about the state of the negotiations and a strong desire for more transparency.

Time is not our ally. In November, our Leaders described what was already a “narrow” window of opportunity and with each passing day this window narrows further. Likewise, there remain sizable substantive gaps that must be bridged if we are to succeed. We will not succeed unless we pick up and the pace and, most importantly, seriously deepen the level of engagement.

Many have stressed the importance of political signals, particularly from Leaders gatherings such as the G20 and APEC Leaders meetings. Some went the next step and suggested what particular messages needed to be conveyed. The signals from the G20 and the APEC Leaders meeting were clear and the content reflected those very messages that the broader membership here called for.

Geneva – Today, U.S. Ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Michael Punke and European Union (EU) Chargé d’Affaires John Clarke met in Geneva with Japanese Ambassador Shinichi Kitajima to express long-standing and serious concerns that are shared by the United States and the EU regarding the lack of a level playing field between Japan Post and private sector …

Michael Punke serves as Deputy United States Trade Representative and U.S. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland.