President's Obama 2010 Trade Policy Agenda

 President's Obama's 2010 Trade Policy can be accessed here. 


The policy has a distinctly Asian and Pacific slant (understandably so) and in particular mentions China, India, ASEAN, APEC and a proposed FTA- the- Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement, with Australia, Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.  

EU, Russia and Brazil are also addressed (i.e. all the BRICs).

Snippets of the policy priorities include:

a). Support and Strengthen a Rules-Based Trading System

b). Enforce Our Rights in the Rules-Based System

c). Enhance U.S. Growth, Job Creation and Innovation

d). Work to Resolve Outstanding Issues with Pending FTAs and Build on Existing Trade and   Investment Arrangements

e). Facilitate Progress on National Energy and Environmental Goals

f). Foster Stronger Partnerships with Developing and Poor Nations: 

• "The United States stands by our Hong Kong commitment to provide duty-free and quota-free market access to least-developed countries as part of the implementation of a successful conclusion to the Doha Round.
• Sub-Saharan Africa is the location of the world’s largest cluster of extremely poor countries, but the beginnings of growth and reform are evident. The United States will continue to partner with African countries to perpetuate positive changes. Building on the success of last summer’s AGOA Forum in Nairobi, USTR will work with Congress and stakeholders toward a new U.S.-Africa trade paradigm that takes into account new and evolving global trade developments. The next AGOA Forum of U.S. and African trade ministers, to be hosted by the United States this year, can promote the benefits of U.S.- Africa trade to the American public, develop plans to better incorporate small- and medium-sized businesses into trade with Africa, and work with Congress to help African countries take better advantage of AGOA and other trade opportunities. The United States also will continue to work on a bilateral investment treaty with Mauritius, to work with African partners through existing Trade and Investment Framework Agreements (TIFAs), and to consider what other types of trade arrangements the United States can advance with African nations".

g). Reflect American Values in Trade Policy

Comment: On the new policy approach to Sub Saharan Africa,the newly proposed trade agenda, is expected, among other things, to foster regional integration in Africa and increase investment by offering incentives for US investors in Africa. See previous post here.