Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Ambassador Ron Kirk | Executive Office of the President | www.ustr.gov http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001RkuIoKjq-dFv2Y0eFczwgVz_d5hVWkLYFcowStXzfUyTc_haHsvT2yAJk4HkwD--8srSlNeBQXbRFocfwlVoPkpDJP1WvWRZW9zDS8_zutI=
Office of Intergovernmental Affairs & Public Engagement | 202.395.6120 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May 17, 2012
Volume 135 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Announcements for the Week of May 12 - May 17, 2012 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk Kicks Off USTR's 50th Anniversary Celebration
May 15 - As part of World Trade Month, at an event to highlight the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement taking effect today, Ambassador Ron Kirk announced the beginning of USTR's 50th anniversary celebration. He said:
"World Trade Month is particularly special for me and my team, because this year we mark the 50th anniversary of the creation of USTR."
Read the rest of the release here http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001RkuIoKjq-dE8CAYObucTCU6kAcgLyXDb0UFTrZMqFIEmQjCB9KY3sinbdXCAqBrQvlzfKrEs5ZJtAru9a-Fk2p7MMfIYYMVHREdnuBtNwEzAGbJFBHHdlWDSbOLhozO5y6Ov6PJaBdBYw51iTHXaPtkpxLnp0w5zK3bbEzPZDzqfWnRRi_8Y1bOWZY6sQcIJ3vNNXag4Wce7mtgyGdD97pvOM84HItO6Uz2iAez6NgqZh9C1D4h9_uuluxdf0AhN. ================================================================================
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U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk Statement on Entry into Force of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Agreement
May 15 - This afternoon, United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk celebrated the entry into force of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.
"Today, the historic U.S.-Colombia trade agreement is in effect. It brings benefits to businesses of every size in both of our countries," said Ambassador Kirk. "This is good news for U.S. entrepreneurs, workers, farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and service providers who are ready to export more U.S. goods and services to Colombia's growing market. Similarly, it's good news for Colombia, which stands to gain in terms of economic growth, jobs, and permanent access to the world's largest market here in the United States."
Read the rest of the release here http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001RkuIoKjq-dFGpUY7Kk9HEIPgEjGeGqstJsX00MRocF--wBx30EF9sjWTwDidRPdXD2XDYIelhpNwQqnHitk8geB979yQtIGFivVkXCcEyZr_XpY1OASyIEsmwhxV8O6ATm3E0GlrLE4fda_BhnhAGomc71n199inDFXfNx7MJSeCE1wh6w6AWty4JGBqCoG96mmVaeACQB5p2RVfoq0rnqXfKLEnd149j8i4jwD8XUkw2OlaUVDWIsbn_TUUE48r. ================================================================================
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Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Talks Advance in Texas
May 16 - Addison, Texas - The United States said today that TPP partners - Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States, and Vietnam - made better-than-expected progress at the twelfth round of negotiations that formally concluded today outside Dallas, Texas. U.S. negotiators have reported to U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk that the progress achieved during this round has further narrowed differences in the text and the teams can now see a clear path forward toward conclusion of most of the more than 20 chapters of the agreement. A few TPP negotiating groups will continue to meet in Texas for the remainder of this week.
The TPP agreement is an important element of the Obama Administration's efforts to support the creation and retention of high-quality jobs for Americans by increasing exports to the vibrant economies of the Asia-Pacific region. The United States and its eight partners are determined to expeditiously complete a comprehensive, next-generation agreement. During this eleven-day negotiating round, the teams focused heavily on making as much progress as possible on the texts of the agreement. The TPP countries closed discussions on small- and medium-sized enterprises, a new feature in a U.S. free trade agreement intended to support the integration into global trade of small- and medium-sized enterprises, which account for two-thirds of job creation in the United States. They also moved toward closure on the other new crossing-cutting issues of regulatory coherence, deepening of regional supply linkages between TPP countries, and promoting development.
Read the rest of the release here http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001RkuIoKjq-dG_Cf-phMHm5ZXDTol8J1UdwskBrk0iqtbnQBBVZfMqoMB8hdegdKNuWzOpwAQsr-8DLxKbE-7BQx77Hp3Or0Q_inj_eVHQxNqbyFwlzHIZnJQItfPyFwXkWlqYKVrrnK7SN829uEUiKGJevkvMCgBQfixfcQYJR2vyPWlVJD22AQ4K_ArzrBl-jPFeFxKILbSBwmqeFTZMtHun3IAGHQvQRknMtkizfj3uHyORxpnimg==. ================================================================================
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USTR.gov ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Intellectual Property and Internet Freedom Discussed at TPP Round in Texas
May 12 - Friday at the 12th round of Trans-Pacific Partnership talks outside Dallas, Probir Mehta, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Intellectual Property and Innovation, and I had a great opportunity to hear from and speak with U.S. and international stakeholders at a lunch session hosted by Public Knowledge discussing copyright enforcement. Speakers included Rashmi Rangnath of Public Knowledge, Jonathan Band of Library Copyright Alliance, Susan Chalmers at Internet New Zealand, Gwen Hinze of Electronic Frontier Foundation, and Jodie Griffin of Public Knowledge. Each gave presentations on issues including fair use, first sale doctrine, proportional response to infringement and the interests of users.
Panelists at the Copyright Enforcement session hosted by Public Knowledge
A key point the speakers highlighted was that enforcement mechanisms should be set up so as not to hamper due process or access to information. Many negotiators from various TPP countries were on hand to hear this message. The speakers also discussed the important challenges of balancing the interests of users of information with those of copyright holders -- especially given the dynamic and ever-changing nature of technology and how intellectual property is shared. The session highlighted the need for balanced legal systems to respect freedom of expression, creativity, AND innovation and provide remedies that properly protect intellectual property while also providing for access to information.
Rashmi Rangnath, Public Knowledge Director of the Global Knowledge Iniatiative and Assistant USTR Christine Turner
Many of the groups represented at the Public Knowledge lunch will continue engaging with TPP intellectual property negotiators and other stakeholders at the Direct Stakeholder Engagement Event on Saturday, May 12. ================================================================================
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Ambassador Kirk Addresses Students at "Don't Double My Rate" College Affordability Event
May 12 - On Friday, Ambassador Kirk visited Brookhaven Community College in Farmers Branch, Texas to talk with students about keeping college affordable. More than 7.4 million students with federal student loans will see their interest rates double on July 1, unless Congress steps in to keep them low. For each year they are allowed to double, the average student with these loans will rack up an additional $1,000 in debt. Ambassador Kirk spoke about the need for Congressional action to prevent these interest rates from spiking. Following his remarks, he answered questions from students.
Ambassador Kirk at Brookhaven College ================================================================================
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Stakeholders, Negotiators Engage in One-on-One Dialogue at Trans-Pacific Partnership Event
May 12 - Today, stakeholders representing a range of interests and policy areas spoke directly with negotiators about the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), currently in the twelfth round of negotiations at the Intercontinental Hotel. USTR organized a Direct Stakeholder Engagement Event on-site at the hotel where the TPP talks are underway, to provide a venue for non-governmental organizations, academia, business and industry groups to have substantive conversations with negotiators about their areas of concern.
An NGO stakeholder (right) engages a TPP negotiator.
Several dozen organizations participated in the direct engagement event, representing stakeholders in labor, the environment, intellectual property, consumers, textiles and apparel, agriculture and other policy areas.
Among the participants were the AFL-CIO, American University Washington College of Law, the Business Software Alliance, the National Milk Producers Association, the National Oilseed Processors Association, Occupy Dallas, PhRMA, Public Citizen's Global Access to Medicines, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The open format allowed negotiators representing the nine Trans-Pacific Partnership countries to discuss areas of concern directly with participants.
One NGO representative said "This format was a big improvement and a useful way to proceed".
Another said "We were glad that many negotiators in our issue area attended, as well as some chiefs (negotiators), and we hope that continues".
Negotiators also responded favorably to the opportunity to sit down and dialogue with stakeholders.
"The opportunity for negotiators to discuss issues one-on-one and in depth was extremely useful," said USTR Chief Negotiator Barbara Weisel. "This direct engagement with stakeholders with different perspectives on the issues will result in a better agreement." To see a list of stakeholder event participants click here http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001RkuIoKjq-dG2IKjFJUJ-w_dHMR_Kh7XDimNUkgdeC4DPi0lapqqWPulkQgdQ81_teyfRYwuTTMd1Tu3TxhpZQnlsBhTfPPivsLbIrOgd7q1qwUPYzubBlOoZ1a2Ecq8EfhcSjbtOXQx8IT8OkFDbVgvAoxjurg39We2nZ9c2g0mgA86BtJ618w==.
Stakeholders and negotiators discuss issues of concern. ================================================================================
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Negotiators Brief Stakeholders at Dallas TPP Talks
May 14 - Yesterday, lead negotiators from each of the nine Trans-Pacific Partnership countries sat down for a briefing and conversation with dozens of stakeholders interested in the progress, process, and substance of the 12th round of TPP talks happening outside Dallas, Texas this week. Some highlights:
Barbara Weisel, Assistant USTR for Southeast Asia and the Pacific and the lead negotiator for the U.S. opened the briefing with an apology to all the moms working at the TPP round on Mother's Day... and then provided an overview of Saturday's stakeholder presentation event. Weisel noted that initial feedback indicates the new format provided the opportunity for more in-depth, substantive exchanges between stakeholders and negotiators, and that feedback from presenters at the event will be factored into stakeholder presentation planning for the next round of TPP talks. Those, she said, will occur the first week in July at a U.S. location to be finalized soon.
Weisel said that good progress has been made thus far by a number of negotiating groups (see USTR's daily readouts at www.ustr.gov to see what negotiating groups are meeting on what days) and that one negotiating group, discussing small and medium-sized enterprises, has finished its talks and will not have to meet in upcoming rounds. She noted that the negotiators on every topic have tried to be as available as possible to stakeholders in crafting negotiating positions and that they will continue to seek to do so as they consider counterproposals and work to revised text. She also noted that the trade ministers of the TPP countries will meet in a few weeks in Kazan, Russia on the margins of the meeting of APEC ministers related to trade.
The floor was opened for questions and a robust exchange followed lasting well past the hour originally allotted for the conversation, which featured questions from stakeholders at the table and in audience chairs including leaders from the AFL-CIO, Citizens Trade Campaign, Coalition for a Prosperous America, the Emergency Committee for American Trade, Friends of the Earth, Grocery Manufacturers Association, Maine Citizens Trade Policy Commission, Public Citizen, and the Sierra Club - among others.
The first question, from Citizens Trade Campaign, was a request that text be made available to the public so that stakeholders could have more informed positions when speaking with negotiators. Weisel said that while the U.S. position is that constantly evolving TPP chapter texts cannot be released to the public, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has been and remains committed to discussing in-depth with a wide range of stakeholders the formation of U.S. positions, the substance of negotiations as they take place, and how issues should be handled by negotiators as talks continue.
Other topics for questions, which were answered variously by Weisel and chief negotiators from Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam, included the status of discussions as to whether Japan, Mexico and Canada will join the TPP talks - Weisel noted that chief negotiators are briefing each other in Texas this week on the status of bilateral consultations with those countries - and what type of consultations the governments do with their environmental ministers on the issue of investor-state dispute settlement provisions. The chief negotiators also answered several questions on domestic procurement provisions and the balance being sought on intellectual property rights and Internet freedom in the TPP's intellectual property chapter. Because of particular interest and concerns surrounding provisions on investor-state dispute settlement and state-owned-enterprises, Weisel said that there will be further stakeholder briefings on those issues - in addition to a broad U.S.-only stakeholder briefing session - when U.S. negotiators return to Washington, DC following this round of negotiations. ================================================================================
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Leaders Applaud Entry into Force of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement
May 15 - Elected officials, as well as business and industry leaders, are applauding the entry into force of the U.S-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement today - which means that 80 percent of American exports of industrial and manufactured products to Colombia are now duty-free. President Obama and Colombian President Santos announced that the agreement would enter into force today during the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia on April 15.
Since the agreement won Congressional approval last fall, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has worked diligently with the Colombian government to bring it into force quickly and correctly. The agreement will boost America's exports to Colombia and help to support well-paying jobs for American workers.
To see what leaders are saying so far, click here http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001RkuIoKjq-dGjA8h-rxJ9GDU2T49rMd7nyX4qsMHQUWZt9rxTeUvaeJSR_WCh8rB_2M8VjF6ZmYDcchm4oZYS4JPZEIubQ6X7anjHMjrneV97hSAONRzUbV1XJ-Ljf2-qHmBmjxrukqw4WIk4xQVKJvR2fFuoc9gUkTaiXGvwllvCf69T0qJksqzDYZDkhGQTTcwcm_oSpCfD8AMOhHl7qjxodLh0u_Hsi40lhjkCB899DCURaGy3u5w7xfBNvdv6. ================================================================================
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Advisory Committee on Trade Policy and Negotiations Annual Meeting
May 17 - This morning Ambassador Kirk hosted the Advisory Committee on Trade Policy and Negotiations (ACTPN) http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001RkuIoKjq-dEST8SqVNmMQNT6zKf61oM5eT5Hk6R4iAeZVLUW-m1q90cnG2dJbU7O60GfFoJtOKSADU-xZtRwJgk1NauxrEFkJJuNpTgfAinOTL9CpNk3bGDub_noR_WdMBMH1coGr03QipSKBZuLU-5NM-R4UpjGmJ9dDN4dQLkcBX-l3Arl6MOk2RvTJzVGoUrnU3DnYsOsfPHcy6de3HVeyp58M0V4gXZ06EUGILXoqMJJGUW8rBv1GUobmtyBmeeting at the White House. The Committee, chaired by Terry McGraw and vice chaired by John Surma, had a robust discussion on various topics including the entry into force of the Korea http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001RkuIoKjq-dG9CE4aS5qgnSjpOyEl8HkDFr6lrkH6WwYsVQOlbN7EX1aaafTBdktHR3H9y7IJ21lbK8eaCSKpSb-BJcpMtLtGeo0PVybdbRfRM00O_9OLyCDPKNs74GzWVOUFt2ESuCPRyIqTcx4d8M00urrrvkzrnNNORRhFVjdoQEcqBscNaw==and Colombia http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001RkuIoKjq-dGlloMspAmatHNwFVvMyVI03VTyAQ9PlEUoD4_jZo8fsGcP2gYXWj4CyB6FHnr5v9_UJfAb7ZEW6hWGc0AV2LOxzN8Rsk0RVt8GmAzQtRn4sOGVFKLAhisV trade agreements, the ongoing negotiations in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001RkuIoKjq-dHWJJ-w_XXwIiengi3yrWxrDIpnUYTwmpOiQNGHuoQe_nf0GwG_8a4ff_rsyWkIrzmpp9-Orl1PwZ6JG-YSgoN5uEOjoBlrm3YvIg4A0ZFHkw==, repealing Jackson Vanik and moving toward permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with Russia, and the National Export Initiative.
Ambassador Kirk began the meeting by highlighting the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center (ITEC) http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001RkuIoKjq-dETTjv1MXc-NdlD3Hnvb-EuGmbBnxb3KgguYnqzeglxH8aAhpQPLWP2NLxzUzAOcaVNul80Cgb7Ypm1Ywg-gBO3ANrGQ20yua7mHbRM_uL4WJPXXAQTnjVFKT4MpaLmsVfMo9y27KwKanjr2jtvnicZ-Sfph_MwX1nIcPH3ze73O-70OepSnjprgFgHpGv6pJhVLOedq_yKvAM6N1UZKLlmN0HtlzQ9PuKdN9XL8qV2eg==; which was created by executive order. The ITEC will provide additional resources for USTR and other agencies to ramp up enforcement efforts and ensure a level playing field for U.S. businesses at home and abroad. Additionally, he provided updates on the 12th round of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which officially concludes this week.
Ambassador Kirk hosts the ACTPN meeting at the White House. From left to right, Council of Economic Advisors Alan Krueger, Vice-Chair and U.S. Steel CEO John Surma, Ambassador Kirk, Chair and McGraw-Hill Companies CEO Harold McGraw, White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew, Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor for International Affairs Michael Froman
The Ambassador was followed by remarks from the White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew, Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor for International Affairs Michael Froman, and chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors Alan Krueger. Mr. Lew thanked the ACTPN members for their leadership and stated the one of the members' task is to focus on the economy of the future and the role of trade, which plays an integral part by discussing fair rules and market access. Mr. Lew also said that the "key is to have an environment where trade agreements are sustainable, as it is important to lay a foundation for trade policy." With the G8 and G20 summits approaching, Mr. Froman emphasized that trade is always on the agenda and that it is "hard to overestimate the importance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership." Mr. Krueger described the record level of exports, an increase in U.S. manufacturing jobs, and the opportunity to expand, especially with regards to improving international trade strategy.
Chair McGraw continued the discussion raising the need to find new ways for growth, through collaboration. The meeting then changed to an open forum, where members voiced their concerns on a wide variety of issues and asked questions. The Ambassador and Chair McGraw concluded the meeting, thanking everyone for their time and substantive contributions to the discussion.
ACTPN is a Presidential appointed and statutorily created Advisory Committee that provides advice tothe President and the Unites States Trade Representative. Today's meeting included members that represent labor, agriculture, manufacturing, services, and non-governmental organizations. ================================================================================
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Ambassador Kirk Co-Chairs Labor Advisory Committee Meeting with Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis
On Monday, May 14, Ambassador Kirk joined Secretary Hilda Solis at the Department of Labor for a meeting of the Labor Advisory Committee on Trade Negotiations and Trade Policy. Members in attendance included R. Thomas Buffenbarger, Chair of the Labor Advisory Committee and International President of Machinists; Richard Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO; Clayola Brown, National President of the A. Philip Randolph Institute; Raymond Hair, President of the American Federation of Musicians; Gregory Junemann, International President of Professional and Technical Engineers; and Veda Shook, International President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.
Secretary Solis began the meeting by commenting on the U.S. Department of Labor's continued commitment to worker protection and enforcement of U.S. labor laws. Ambassador Kirk focused on three key topics during the discussion; updating the committee members on the 12th Round of Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, the trade agreement with Colombia, and the President's National Export Initiative (NEI). Ambassador Kirk and Secretary Solis also noted the Obama Administration's ongoing work with the government of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos to address labor concerns in Colombia.
From Left to Right: Assistant USTR for Labor Lewis Karesh, Ambassador Kirk, and Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis
Referring to the NEI, Ambassador Kirk emphasized the creation of 1.2 million jobs and the goal to level the playing field so that U.S. businesses can compete internationally. The Ambassador also updated the members on the recent Strategic and Economic Dialogue meetings in China.
The Labor Advisory Committee is co-chaired by the U.S. Trade Representative and the Secretary of Labor. The committee advises and provides recommendations on issues and general policy matters concerning labor and trade negotiations, including operation of trade agreements. ================================================================================
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IN THIS ISSUE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk Kicks Off USTR's 50th Anniversary Celebration
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk Statement on Entry into Force of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Agreement
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Talks Advance in Texas ================================================================================
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USTR.gov ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Intellectual Property and Internet Freedom Discussed at TPP Round in Texas
Ambassador Kirk Addresses Students at "Don't Double My Rate" College Affordability Event
Stakeholders, Negotiators Engage in One-on-One Dialogue at Trans-Pacific Partnership Event
Negotiators Brief Stakeholders at Dallas TPP Talks
Leaders Applaud Entry into Force of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement
Advisory Committee on Trade Policy and Negotiations Annual Meeting
Ambassador Kirk Co-Chairs Labor Advisory Committee Meeting with Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis ================================================================================
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RECENT EVENTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ambassador Kirk, EPA Administrator Jackson, Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack, and Secretary of Commerce Bryson participated in the opening session of the Environmental Protection Agency's Technology Market Summit at American University.
Ambassador Kirk and Secretary Solis co-chaired the Labor Advisory Committee Meeting at the Department of Labor.
Ambassador Punke represented the United States at events celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Information Technology Agreement at the World Trade Organization.
Ambassador Kirk delivered remarks at an event celebrating World Trade Week and the entry-into-force of the U.S.-Colombia trade agreement at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Ambassadors Kirk and Sapiro met with the Swedish Minister for Trade, Dr. Ewa Björling.
Ambassador Kirk met with the Vice Chairman of Travelers Companies, Inc., Alan Schnitzer.
Ambassador Kirk made remarks at the National Council of Textile Organizations Annual Meeting.
Ambassador Kirk met with the Korean Minister for Trade, Bark Tae-ho and led the first meeting of the Joint Committee on the U.S.-Korea Trade Agreement.
Ambassador Kirk attended a dinner honoring the U.S. Ambassador to Singapore, Heng Chee Chan.
Ambassador Sapiro testified before the House Committee on Small Business regarding USTR's efforts to support small businesses through trade negotiations and enforcement.
Ambassador Siddiqui attended the Muslim American Leadership Summit hosted by Congressman Keith Ellison.
Chief Negotiators for the Trans-Pacific Partnership held a 12th Round closing press conference at the Intercontinental Hotel
Chief Negotiator for the Trans-Pacific Partnership Barbara Weisel gave a telephone briefing for press.
Ambassador Kirk chaired a meeting of the President's Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations. Ambassadors Sapiro and Marantis also participated.
Ambassador Marantis met with the Sri Lankan Minister of External Affairs, Professor G.L. Peiris.
Ambassador Kirk met with the New Zealand Trade Minister, Tim Groser.
Ambassador Siddiqui delivered remarks at the Washington Seminar on Food Security and Trade in the Asia-Pacific Region, hosted by the International Food and Agricultural Trade Policy Council. ================================================================================
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