The office of USTR is responsible for the development and oversight of U.S. trade policy, including strategy, negotiation, implementation and enforcement of multilateral, regional/bilateral and sector-specific trade agreements. These include the ongoing Doha Development Agenda multilateral trade negotiations, as well as seventeen Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to which the United States is currently a party. As well, Ambassador Kirk is responsible for U.S. trade policy involving agriculture; industry; services and investment; intellectual property; environment; labor; development and preference programs.
Below are some highlights of Kirk's testimony:
GENERAL - from his written statement: "We believe fundamentally that fair, open and transparent rules-based trade can act as catalyst to benefit working families and business, large and small, throughout this country. To that end, this administration will work to ensure that the United States continues to be a leader in advancing the rules based international trading system..."
ENFORCEMENT - from his written statement: "I do not come to this job with what I have called in some of our meetings 'deal fever'. I know that you want the referees at the WTO to call a foul when the rules are broken. And I agree. The first order of business for the administration on trade is to ensure strong enforcement of the rules..." In his oral remarks, Kirk reconfirmed that enforcement will be the administration's top priority.
FTAs, DOHA - from his written statement: "Other priorities include working with our trading partners to advance the Doha Round negotiations, working with you and the countries in question on pending agreements, and pursuing new initiatives that will seek to channel trade as a driver of economic progress - if they are done right..."
PANAMA - In comments that echoed the President's Trade Policy Agenda, Kirk indicated in a brief question and answer session that the administration will undertake a comprehensive review of the pending trade agreements, but he does not intend to "simply pick up and implement" the pending FTAs. He agreed with Chairman Baucus that the agreement with Panama is the most ready for consideration, and it will be reviewed on an expedited basis.
COLOMBIA - Senator Grassley asked Kirk to commit to taking up the agreement with Colombia by the end of the year. In response, Kirk did not commit to a specific timetable for consideration of the agreement with Colombia and referred to the need to establish benchmarks for its consideration, as mentioned in the President's Trade Policy Agenda. Kirk said the Colombia accord may provide a "great opportunity" for the United States. He said he would like to see the Colombia agreement brought up sooner rather than later.
KOREA - Kirk said the agreement with South Korea presents "one of the biggest opportunities we have" to boost exports, but he added: "The agreement simply isn't fair, and if we can't get it right, we're prepared to walk away."
NEGOTIATING AUTHORITY - from his written statement: "And at an appropriate time and with proper Congressional input and concerns addressed, this President will require the authority to negotiate new agreements and bring them to Congress for an up or down vote..."
CHINA - Chairman Baucus and Senator Stabenow asked questions on the administration's approach to enforcement with respect to China. Kirk said the administration will use a variety of tools to address issues in the U.S.-China trade relationship, including dispute settlement procedures under the WTO as well as diplomatic resources. He said the administration will pursue a comprehensive strategy on U.S.-China relations not just on trade issues but in other arenas as well.
NAFTA - Kirk told senators that any efforts to alter the North American Free Trade Agreement would be collaborative and would not result in any of the participants raising tariffs. He appeared to echo the President's 2009 Trade Policy Agenda, which noted: "We will also work with Canada and Mexico to identify ways in which NAFTA could be improved without having an adverse effect on trade. We will do this in a collaborative spirit and emphasize ways in which this process can benefit the citizens of all three countries."
TAA AND MAY 10 - from his written statement: "I respectfully submit that two strong steps toward restoring domestic confidence in open markets are a real and renewed commitment to enforcement of our trade rules, including those addressing labor and the environment, as well as a new commitment to a reformed Trade Adjustment Assistance program that truly helps all workers displaced by trade. I commend Congress for its recent action on TAA...
"And we believe that by building on the 'May 10 consensus' that was reflected in the Free Trade Agreement with Peru, we can promote those values and continue opening new markets..."
SMALL BUSINESS - Kirk also spoke about the importance of trade for small and medium-sized businesses in response to a question. He said he would like to see expanded resources for smaller exporters and expressed a desire to highlight their success as a tool to convince Americans of the benefits of trade. Kirk said he is proud of his work as Mayor of Dallas working with local chambers of commerce and the Department of Commerce to help smaller businesses get involved in trade.