While the Senate has yet to confirm his nominees for U.S. Trade Representative and Secretary of Commerce, President Obama faced a statutory obligation to issue his 2009 "Trade Policy Agenda" this month, and he has done so.  This roadmap makes it clear the administration intends to advance a strong and positive trade agenda despite the economic crisis, says John Murphy of the US Chamber of Commerce.
The Obama administration deserves high marks for setting a positive tone on trade in its first weeks in office. One critical challenge came in the "Buy American" debate, when President Obama joined with members of both parties to insist these rules comply with our international obligations. While these mandates are still problematic, it’s unfair to call them protectionist, and this action by the president may have helped avert a trade war.

In addition, the Chamber strongly supported the modernized Trade Adjustment Assistance program in the economic stimulus package. This was the result of serious bipartisan negotiations, and it should pave the way for further progress on trade in the months and years ahead.

In reviewing the president’s 2009 trade agenda, the Chamber is pleased to hear the administration is "developing a plan of action to address the pending trade agreements in consultation with Congress. We hope to move on the Panama Free Trade Agreement (FTA) relatively quickly. And we plan to establish benchmarks for progress on the Colombian and South Korean FTAs."

The report also includes a welcome commitment by the administration to conclude an ambitious Doha Round agreement. It says the administration may seek trade negotiating authority from Congress as it considers "proposals for new bilateral and regional agreements when they promise to deliver significant benefits."

The Chamber is pleased to find ample common ground between the President’s agenda and our own recommendations, which are summarized in a publication entitled International Engagement: The U.S. Chamber’s Agenda to Help Americans Compete and Win in the Worldwide Economy.

Following are excerpts from the overview of the President’s 2009 Trade Policy Agenda:

Pending FTAs: “We are in the process of developing a plan of action to address the pending trade agreements in consultation with Congress. We hope to move on the Panama Free Trade Agreement (FTA) relatively quickly. And we plan to establish benchmarks for progress on the Colombian and South Korean FTAs… We will conduct extensive outreach and discourse with the public on whether these agreements appropriately advance the interests of the United States and our trading partners. In particular, we will promptly, but responsibly, address the issues surrounding the Colombia, Korea and Panama Free Trade Agreements.”

Doha Round: “A strong, market-opening agreement for both goods and services in the WTO’s Doha Round negotiations would be an important contribution to addressing the global economic crisis, as part of the effort to restore trade’s role in leading economic growth and development. The Administration is committed to working with our trading partners for such an outcome. However, it will be necessary to correct the imbalance in the current negotiations in which the value of what the United States would be expected to give is well-known and easily calculable, whereas the broad flexibilities available to others leaves unclear the value of new opportunities for our workers, farmers, ranchers, and businesses.”

Non-Tariff Barriers: “As tariff levels have declined, other impediments to world trade have become more significant. American firms increasingly focus on “behind the border” measures and other non-tariff barriers (NTBs) as major impediments to their access to other national markets. We will negotiate for improved transparency and due process in our partners’ trade practices and policies, including government procurement and the crafting of market regulations.”

NAFTA: “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.”

Trade Negotiating Authority: “And, we will consider proposals for new bilateral and regional agreements when they promise to deliver significant benefits consistent with our national economic policies. If new negotiating authority is required, we will seek that from Congress.”