Entity ID - 144501<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=nov2014/wto2014_3283.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>1. In pursuance of Article IV, paragraph 4 and Annex 3 of the WTO Agreement, a meeting of the Trade Policy Review Body is scheduled for 16 and 18 December 2014 to conduct the twelfth review of the trade policies and practices of the United States (WTO/AIR/4386).</p>  <p>2. This communication sets out arrangements concerning the review meeting. In this connection, attention is also drawn to the procedures for the conduct of reviews contained in the rules of procedure of the Trade Policy Review Body (WT/TPR/6/Rev.3).</p>  <p>1 QUESTIONS IN WRITING IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING AND MAIN POINTS</p>  <p>3. Members wishing to submit written questions to the Member under review should do so at least two weeks before the review meeting to allow replies to be prepared in time for the first session of the meeting. For the forthcoming review, such questions should therefore be with the Trade Policies Review Division of the Secretariat (tprd@wto.org) by 5.30 p.m., Tuesday 2 December 2014, at the latest.</p>  <p>4. In line with the results of the 4th Appraisal of the TPRM (WT/MIN(11)/6, paragraph 27.2.b and Annex 2), Members are reminded that they should group their written questions into the following three categories so as to facilitate responses: those related to the Secretariat report (with a reference to relevant paragraph numbers); those concerning the Government report (with a reference to relevant paragraph numbers); and other questions.</p>  <p>5. The Secretariat shall identify the main points contained in the questions submitted at least two weeks before a review meeting, post them on the Members' Website one week before the meeting, and distribute a revised list of main points during the first session of a review when questions received after the two-week deadline give rise to significantly new issues. The main points may be found on the Members' Website under "Forthcoming meetings: Documents for Meetings".</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=nov2014/wto2014_3283.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>1. In pursuance of Article IV, paragraph 4 and Annex 3 of the WTO Agreement, a meeting of the Trade Policy Review Body is scheduled for 16 and 18 December 2014 to conduct the twelfth review of the trade policies and practices of the United States (WTO/AIR/4386).</p>  <p>2. This communication sets out arrangements concerning the review meeting. In this connection, attention is also drawn to the procedures for the conduct of reviews contained in the rules of procedure of the Trade Policy Review Body (WT/TPR/6/Rev.3).</p>  <p>1 QUESTIONS IN WRITING IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING AND MAIN POINTS</p>  <p>3. Members wishing to submit written questions to the Member under review should do so at least two weeks before the review meeting to allow replies to be prepared in time for the first session of the meeting. For the forthcoming review, such questions should therefore be with the Trade Policies Review Division of the Secretariat (tprd@wto.org) by 5.30 p.m., Tuesday 2 December 2014, at the latest.</p>  <p>4. In line with the results of the 4th Appraisal of the TPRM (WT/MIN(11)/6, paragraph 27.2.b and Annex 2), Members are reminded that they should group their written questions into the following three categories so as to facilitate responses: those related to the Secretariat report (with a reference to relevant paragraph numbers); those concerning the Government report (with a reference to relevant paragraph numbers); and other questions.</p>  <p>5. The Secretariat shall identify the main points contained in the questions submitted at least two weeks before a review meeting, post them on the Members' Website one week before the meeting, and distribute a revised list of main points during the first session of a review when questions received after the two-week deadline give rise to significantly new issues. The main points may be found on the Members' Website under "Forthcoming meetings: Documents for Meetings".</p>  -->Entity ID - 144502<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=nov2014/wto2014_3284.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The results of the midterm elections could reinvigorate U.S. policies toward Asia, which have suffered from a lack of resources and resolve. The new Congress will likely be more supportive of concluding free trade agreements, funding U.S. defense requirements, and imposing additional sanctions to leverage North Korean compliance with international agreements. That said, U.S. Presidents remain constitutionally predominant in foreign policy. Trade Republican Members of Congress have repeatedly voted in greater numbers for free trade agreements than their Democratic colleagues, including the U.S.–South Korea Free Trade Agreement. After the election, pending Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R–KY) declared that Republicans “believe that international trade agreements are a winner for America.”1 Yet for the new Congress to approve either trade promotion authority (TPA) or the Trans-Pacific= Partnership (TPP), the Obama Administration must show more initiative and enthusiasm than it has to date. President Barack Obama has been reluctant to push for free trade against entrenched special interest groups, such as auto unions.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=nov2014/wto2014_3284.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The results of the midterm elections could reinvigorate U.S. policies toward Asia, which have suffered from a lack of resources and resolve. The new Congress will likely be more supportive of concluding free trade agreements, funding U.S. defense requirements, and imposing additional sanctions to leverage North Korean compliance with international agreements. That said, U.S. Presidents remain constitutionally predominant in foreign policy. Trade Republican Members of Congress have repeatedly voted in greater numbers for free trade agreements than their Democratic colleagues, including the U.S.–South Korea Free Trade Agreement. After the election, pending Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R–KY) declared that Republicans “believe that international trade agreements are a winner for America.”1 Yet for the new Congress to approve either trade promotion authority (TPA) or the Trans-Pacific= Partnership (TPP), the Obama Administration must show more initiative and enthusiasm than it has to date. President Barack Obama has been reluctant to push for free trade against entrenched special interest groups, such as auto unions.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144504<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=nov2014/wto2014_3286.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>we hereby confirm that a representative of camara nacional de las industrias azucarera y alcoholera (mexican sugar chamber) will be signing the final suspension agreement on behalf of mexican sugar producers/exporters listed in the attachment which represent over 97% of exports of sugar from mexico to the united states.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=nov2014/wto2014_3286.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>we hereby confirm that a representative of camara nacional de las industrias azucarera y alcoholera (mexican sugar chamber) will be signing the final suspension agreement on behalf of mexican sugar producers/exporters listed in the attachment which represent over 97% of exports of sugar from mexico to the united states.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144514<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3296.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Issued by the Article 29 Data Protection Working Party</p>  <p>The judgment of the Court of Justice of European Union (CJEU) of 13 May 2014 Google Spain SL and Google Inc. v Agencia Española de Protección de Datos (AEPD) and Mario Costeja González (C-131/12) sets a milestone for EU data protection in respect of search engines and, more generally, in the online world. It grants the possibility to data subjects to request to search engines, under certain conditions, the de-listing of links appearing in the search results based on a person’s name.</p>  <p>On Wednesday 26 November, the European data protection authorities assembled in the Article 29 Working Party (WP29) have adopted guidelines on the implementation of the CJEU’s judgment. These guidelines contain the common interpretation of the ruling as well as the common criteria to be used by the data protection authorities when addressing complaints.</p>  <p>The WP29 guidelines recall that the CJUE ruling confirmed the applicability of Directive 95/46/EC to a search engine insofar as the processing of personal data is carried out in the context of the activities of a subsidiary on the territory of a Member State, set up to promote and sell advertising space on its search engine in this Member State with the aim of making that service profitable.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3296.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Issued by the Article 29 Data Protection Working Party</p>  <p>The judgment of the Court of Justice of European Union (CJEU) of 13 May 2014 Google Spain SL and Google Inc. v Agencia Española de Protección de Datos (AEPD) and Mario Costeja González (C-131/12) sets a milestone for EU data protection in respect of search engines and, more generally, in the online world. It grants the possibility to data subjects to request to search engines, under certain conditions, the de-listing of links appearing in the search results based on a person’s name.</p>  <p>On Wednesday 26 November, the European data protection authorities assembled in the Article 29 Working Party (WP29) have adopted guidelines on the implementation of the CJEU’s judgment. These guidelines contain the common interpretation of the ruling as well as the common criteria to be used by the data protection authorities when addressing complaints.</p>  <p>The WP29 guidelines recall that the CJUE ruling confirmed the applicability of Directive 95/46/EC to a search engine insofar as the processing of personal data is carried out in the context of the activities of a subsidiary on the territory of a Member State, set up to promote and sell advertising space on its search engine in this Member State with the aim of making that service profitable.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144515<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3297.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Finishing successful negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is a key priority of the EPP Group. The Group has decided to create a Working Group on the TTIP which will encompass all the EPP Group stakeholders on the matter. The Working Group will be chaired by Godelieve Quisthoudt-Rowohl MEP who is the EPP Group Rapporteur on the TTIP in the International Trade Committee, responsible for the final consent on the agreement.</p>  <p>Quisthoudt-Rowohl considers transatlantic relations as a key pillar in the EU’s foreign, political and trade relations, the US being a reliable partner: "After 16 months and 7 rounds of negotiations, it is now high time to take a position as a Group on the many substantive issues and also to exchange ideas more regularly about the content of the negotiations. I have therefore proposed the establishment of an EPP Group Working Group on the TTIP to engage, in particular, the Members of the other committees concerned, discussing specific topics with them in order to achieve strong common positions", she commented</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3297.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Finishing successful negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is a key priority of the EPP Group. The Group has decided to create a Working Group on the TTIP which will encompass all the EPP Group stakeholders on the matter. The Working Group will be chaired by Godelieve Quisthoudt-Rowohl MEP who is the EPP Group Rapporteur on the TTIP in the International Trade Committee, responsible for the final consent on the agreement.</p>  <p>Quisthoudt-Rowohl considers transatlantic relations as a key pillar in the EU’s foreign, political and trade relations, the US being a reliable partner: "After 16 months and 7 rounds of negotiations, it is now high time to take a position as a Group on the many substantive issues and also to exchange ideas more regularly about the content of the negotiations. I have therefore proposed the establishment of an EPP Group Working Group on the TTIP to engage, in particular, the Members of the other committees concerned, discussing specific topics with them in order to achieve strong common positions", she commented</p>  -->Entity ID - 144520<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3302.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Members of the Employment and International Trade committees will hold a joint public hearing on employment and social aspects of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) on Tuesday morning, from 10.00 to 12.30 in PHS 3C50 Panellists include Mr Ignacio Garcia Bercero, EU Chief Negotiator on TTIP; Ms Marva Corley-Coulibaly, Senior Economist at ILO Research Department; Mr Tom Jenkins, Senior Advisor at ETUC and Ms Luisa Santos, Director of International Affairs at BUSINESSEUROPE. International Trade Committee (INTA) members will also hold a discussion with Cecilia Malmström, EU Commissioner for Trade, in a separate meeting on Wednesday morning from 11.00 to 12.30 in JAN 6Q2.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3302.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Members of the Employment and International Trade committees will hold a joint public hearing on employment and social aspects of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) on Tuesday morning, from 10.00 to 12.30 in PHS 3C50 Panellists include Mr Ignacio Garcia Bercero, EU Chief Negotiator on TTIP; Ms Marva Corley-Coulibaly, Senior Economist at ILO Research Department; Mr Tom Jenkins, Senior Advisor at ETUC and Ms Luisa Santos, Director of International Affairs at BUSINESSEUROPE. International Trade Committee (INTA) members will also hold a discussion with Cecilia Malmström, EU Commissioner for Trade, in a separate meeting on Wednesday morning from 11.00 to 12.30 in JAN 6Q2.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144523<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3305.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>During the week of November 24, the American Institute in Taiwan’s Agricultural Affairs Office learned that Taiwan authorities lifted the longstanding ban on U.S. long grain rice. Taiwan imposed an import ban on U.S. long grain rice immediate after the LibertyLink incident, summer 2006. The issue was raised in several bilateral engagements, both technically and under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement annual meetings.</p>  <p>Taiwan’s Agriculture and Food Agency scheduled two tenders of U.S.-origin long grain for December 10. This will be the first U.S. long grain rice tender since Taiwan opened their market for rice imports in January 2002 with their World Trade Organization (WTO) accession. Taiwan rice purchases are primarily California-origin. High California rice prices concern importers and authorities, and are likely an impetus for the lifting of the long grain ban. The December 10 tender information is as follows with quality specifications attached:  GF4-103-118 for 1,500 MT of U.S.-origin long grain brown rice with amylose content greater than or equal to 24% for delivery May 1-June 30, 2015  GF4-103-119 for 1,500 MT of U.S.-origin long grain brown rice for delivery May 1-June 30, 2015</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3305.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>During the week of November 24, the American Institute in Taiwan’s Agricultural Affairs Office learned that Taiwan authorities lifted the longstanding ban on U.S. long grain rice. Taiwan imposed an import ban on U.S. long grain rice immediate after the LibertyLink incident, summer 2006. The issue was raised in several bilateral engagements, both technically and under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement annual meetings.</p>  <p>Taiwan’s Agriculture and Food Agency scheduled two tenders of U.S.-origin long grain for December 10. This will be the first U.S. long grain rice tender since Taiwan opened their market for rice imports in January 2002 with their World Trade Organization (WTO) accession. Taiwan rice purchases are primarily California-origin. High California rice prices concern importers and authorities, and are likely an impetus for the lifting of the long grain ban. The December 10 tender information is as follows with quality specifications attached:  GF4-103-118 for 1,500 MT of U.S.-origin long grain brown rice with amylose content greater than or equal to 24% for delivery May 1-June 30, 2015  GF4-103-119 for 1,500 MT of U.S.-origin long grain brown rice for delivery May 1-June 30, 2015</p>  -->Entity ID - 144528<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3310.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>National Business Daily: Assistant Minister Wang, what industries in China will benefit from the ChinaROK FTA when it comes into force officially? Thank you!</p>  <p>Wang Shouwen: China and the ROK are two economies that boast great similarities in many industries. The ChinaROK FTA is a highlevel free trade agreement, of which over 90% of tax items will be reduced to zero after a transitional period of 20 years. Therefore, many industries in China will benefit from this agreement especially mechanical and electrical products and metal products, as well as agricultural products. Similarly, among the ROK’s advantageous industries, since 90% of China’s tax items and 85% of its trading value also enjoy a zerotariff after the transitional period, most of the ROK’s industries willbenefit from the agreement. The best thing for the agreement is that the two countries reduce their tariff and integrate two markets into a greater one, which is conducive to making the industries from both sides divide the work in a greater market, form a value chain and create effective competition, and also contribute to helping industries of both sides win market shares from each other’s market winning both scale economy from the two markets and benefits outside the markets. At present, a foundation for a greater market and better competition system has been laid and what left is let the business circle make full use of this agreement with their innovative spirits and spirits of seeking excellence.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3310.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>National Business Daily: Assistant Minister Wang, what industries in China will benefit from the ChinaROK FTA when it comes into force officially? Thank you!</p>  <p>Wang Shouwen: China and the ROK are two economies that boast great similarities in many industries. The ChinaROK FTA is a highlevel free trade agreement, of which over 90% of tax items will be reduced to zero after a transitional period of 20 years. Therefore, many industries in China will benefit from this agreement especially mechanical and electrical products and metal products, as well as agricultural products. Similarly, among the ROK’s advantageous industries, since 90% of China’s tax items and 85% of its trading value also enjoy a zerotariff after the transitional period, most of the ROK’s industries willbenefit from the agreement. The best thing for the agreement is that the two countries reduce their tariff and integrate two markets into a greater one, which is conducive to making the industries from both sides divide the work in a greater market, form a value chain and create effective competition, and also contribute to helping industries of both sides win market shares from each other’s market winning both scale economy from the two markets and benefits outside the markets. At present, a foundation for a greater market and better competition system has been laid and what left is let the business circle make full use of this agreement with their innovative spirits and spirits of seeking excellence.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144530<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3312.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.</p>  <p>ACTION: Notice</p>  <p>SUMMARY: The following staff members have been appointed to serve on the Performance</p>  <p>Review Board:</p>  <p>Performance Review Board (PRB)</p>  <p>Chair: Wendy Cutler</p>  <p>Member: Barbara Weisel</p>  <p>Member: Florizelle Liser</p>  <p>Member: Lewis Karesh</p>  <p>Member: Sharon Bomer-Lauritsen</p>  <p>Executive Secretary: Ronald Nerida</p>  <p>DATES: Effective Date: November 20,</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3312.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.</p>  <p>ACTION: Notice</p>  <p>SUMMARY: The following staff members have been appointed to serve on the Performance</p>  <p>Review Board:</p>  <p>Performance Review Board (PRB)</p>  <p>Chair: Wendy Cutler</p>  <p>Member: Barbara Weisel</p>  <p>Member: Florizelle Liser</p>  <p>Member: Lewis Karesh</p>  <p>Member: Sharon Bomer-Lauritsen</p>  <p>Executive Secretary: Ronald Nerida</p>  <p>DATES: Effective Date: November 20,</p>  -->Entity ID - 144539<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3321.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>In 2014/15, world production is projected to remain stable at 26.2 million tons despite a 3% increase in area to 33.7 million hectares. India, China, the United States and Pakistan are expected to account for 80% of production in the North Hemisphere, which is projected up 2% to 23 million tons with lower yields offsetting the 4% gain in area. In contrast, area in the Southern Hemisphere is forecast down 12% to 3 million hectares, the lowest level in five seasons, due to low world prices. Assuming an average yield of 853 kg/ha for the region, production is anticipated to fall 18% to 2.6 million tons, which accounts for 10% of expected world production in 2014/15. Brazilian farmers are less enthusiastic to plant cotton this season as many find that even with government support, current prices do not cover productions costs and area is forecast to fall 13% to 975,000 hectares. Assuming an average yield of around 1,522 kg/ha, production is projected at 1.5 million tons. The ongoing drought in Australia has left soil dry and reduced irrigation supplies. Area is forecast down 28% to 282,000 hectares, and production could decrease by 35% to 580,000 tons, the lowest volume since 2009/10. For Southern and Eastern Africa, area is projected down 7% to 1.4 million hectares. However, unlike last season, rains have been more plentiful at sowing, and yield is likely to improve 6% to an average of 237 kg/ha, resulting in 329,000 tons of lint for the region, down 2% from 2013/14.</p>  <p>After declining 1% in 2013/14, world consumption is expected to recover by 3.8% to 24.4 million tons. The top five consumers of cotton in 2014/15 are likely to be China, India, Pakistan, Turkey and Bangladesh. Lower domestic prices and government incentives are helping the spinning industry in China to recover with consumption forecast to increase to nearly 8 million tons. India’s consumption is projected at 5.3 million tons, which is the third consecutive season of growth, but at a slower rate than the previous two seasons as yarn demand from China is falling. In 2013/14, insufficient electricity contributed to the 6% reduction in Pakistan’s consumption and while electricity supplies still remain a problem, its consumption is forecast to rise 2% to 2.3 million tons in 2014/15. Consumption in Turkey is</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3321.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>In 2014/15, world production is projected to remain stable at 26.2 million tons despite a 3% increase in area to 33.7 million hectares. India, China, the United States and Pakistan are expected to account for 80% of production in the North Hemisphere, which is projected up 2% to 23 million tons with lower yields offsetting the 4% gain in area. In contrast, area in the Southern Hemisphere is forecast down 12% to 3 million hectares, the lowest level in five seasons, due to low world prices. Assuming an average yield of 853 kg/ha for the region, production is anticipated to fall 18% to 2.6 million tons, which accounts for 10% of expected world production in 2014/15. Brazilian farmers are less enthusiastic to plant cotton this season as many find that even with government support, current prices do not cover productions costs and area is forecast to fall 13% to 975,000 hectares. Assuming an average yield of around 1,522 kg/ha, production is projected at 1.5 million tons. The ongoing drought in Australia has left soil dry and reduced irrigation supplies. Area is forecast down 28% to 282,000 hectares, and production could decrease by 35% to 580,000 tons, the lowest volume since 2009/10. For Southern and Eastern Africa, area is projected down 7% to 1.4 million hectares. However, unlike last season, rains have been more plentiful at sowing, and yield is likely to improve 6% to an average of 237 kg/ha, resulting in 329,000 tons of lint for the region, down 2% from 2013/14.</p>  <p>After declining 1% in 2013/14, world consumption is expected to recover by 3.8% to 24.4 million tons. The top five consumers of cotton in 2014/15 are likely to be China, India, Pakistan, Turkey and Bangladesh. Lower domestic prices and government incentives are helping the spinning industry in China to recover with consumption forecast to increase to nearly 8 million tons. India’s consumption is projected at 5.3 million tons, which is the third consecutive season of growth, but at a slower rate than the previous two seasons as yarn demand from China is falling. In 2013/14, insufficient electricity contributed to the 6% reduction in Pakistan’s consumption and while electricity supplies still remain a problem, its consumption is forecast to rise 2% to 2.3 million tons in 2014/15. Consumption in Turkey is</p>  -->Entity ID - 144540<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3322.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE – REPORTS (WT/GC/M/150; WT/GC/M/151; WT/GC/M/152; AND WT/GC/M/153)</p>  <p>1.1. Ministers at Doha established a Trade Negotiations Committee under the authority of the General Council to supervise the overall conduct of the negotiations (WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1). In accordance with the Principles and Practices endorsed by the Trade Negotiations Committee at its first meeting in 2002 (TN/C/M/1), the TNC reports to each regular meeting of the General Council.</p>  <p>1.2. At the General Council meetings in March, May, July, and October, the Director-General, as Chairman of the Trade Negotiations Committee, reported on each occasion on the TNC's activities since his previous report to the General Council.4</p>  <p>1.3. At the March meeting, the Chairman of the Committee on Environment in Special Session and the representatives of the Plurinational State of Bolivia; Lesotho (on behalf of the African Group); Cuba; Indonesia (on behalf of the G-33); Kenya (on behalf of the ACP); Uganda (on behalf of the LDCs); Brazil (on behalf of the G-20); Jordan (on behalf of the Arab Group); Nigeria; Chinese Taipei (on behalf of the RAMs Group); Pakistan; Solomon Islands; India; South Africa;</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3322.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE – REPORTS (WT/GC/M/150; WT/GC/M/151; WT/GC/M/152; AND WT/GC/M/153)</p>  <p>1.1. Ministers at Doha established a Trade Negotiations Committee under the authority of the General Council to supervise the overall conduct of the negotiations (WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1). In accordance with the Principles and Practices endorsed by the Trade Negotiations Committee at its first meeting in 2002 (TN/C/M/1), the TNC reports to each regular meeting of the General Council.</p>  <p>1.2. At the General Council meetings in March, May, July, and October, the Director-General, as Chairman of the Trade Negotiations Committee, reported on each occasion on the TNC's activities since his previous report to the General Council.4</p>  <p>1.3. At the March meeting, the Chairman of the Committee on Environment in Special Session and the representatives of the Plurinational State of Bolivia; Lesotho (on behalf of the African Group); Cuba; Indonesia (on behalf of the G-33); Kenya (on behalf of the ACP); Uganda (on behalf of the LDCs); Brazil (on behalf of the G-20); Jordan (on behalf of the Arab Group); Nigeria; Chinese Taipei (on behalf of the RAMs Group); Pakistan; Solomon Islands; India; South Africa;</p>  -->Entity ID - 144544<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3326.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Upon entry into force, the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement is set to become Canada’s most significant free trade agreement since NAFTA December 3, 2014 - Ottawa, Ontario - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, today announced that the Canada- Korea Economic Growth and Prosperity Act has received royal assent. This announcement coincides with the passage of the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA) ratification bill in the South Korean National Assembly yesterday, which concludes South Korea’s ratification process. With this latest milestone, Canada and South Korea are on track to bring the agreement into force on January 1, 2015, fulfilling the commitment made by Prime Minister Harper and South Korean President Park Geun-hye in March 2014 in Seoul and in September 2014 in Ottawa. The CKFTA is a landmark initiative that will strengthen trade and investment ties across the Pacific, increase the prosperity of both countries and result in job creation and enhanced opportunities for South Korean and Canadian businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as investors, workers and consumers. Nearly 90 percent of Canada’s current exports will be duty free on the day the agreement enters into force. Minister Fast will lead a trade mission to South Korea in February 2015 to help Canadian businesses tap into the tremendous new opportunities the agreement will provide.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3326.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Upon entry into force, the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement is set to become Canada’s most significant free trade agreement since NAFTA December 3, 2014 - Ottawa, Ontario - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, today announced that the Canada- Korea Economic Growth and Prosperity Act has received royal assent. This announcement coincides with the passage of the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA) ratification bill in the South Korean National Assembly yesterday, which concludes South Korea’s ratification process. With this latest milestone, Canada and South Korea are on track to bring the agreement into force on January 1, 2015, fulfilling the commitment made by Prime Minister Harper and South Korean President Park Geun-hye in March 2014 in Seoul and in September 2014 in Ottawa. The CKFTA is a landmark initiative that will strengthen trade and investment ties across the Pacific, increase the prosperity of both countries and result in job creation and enhanced opportunities for South Korean and Canadian businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as investors, workers and consumers. Nearly 90 percent of Canada’s current exports will be duty free on the day the agreement enters into force. Minister Fast will lead a trade mission to South Korea in February 2015 to help Canadian businesses tap into the tremendous new opportunities the agreement will provide.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144551<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3333.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The Dutch Government will make funds available for the culled farms and poultry breeding farms which experienced market loss due to the standstill. These payments, and all other related measures to prevent the spread of the virus, will paid by the Dutch Animal Health Fund. This fund is financed by the sector itself, the Dutch Government and the European Union. Market implications of the bird flu outbreak The value added income of the Dutch poultry sector and egg sector is estimated at respectively $1 billion and $0.85 billion in 2014 (based on figures of the WUR). Dutch exports of poultry meat and eggs were respectively $2.43 billion and $0.84 billion, of which respectively $0.34 billion and $0.15 billion is exported to third countries (based on the Global Trade Atlas). Because the Dutch sector cannot fulfill the declarations on the health certificates, exports are restricted to most Member States and third countries. Only a few countries have officially banned Dutch poultry; Hong Kong (export of $31 million in 2013), South Korea (exports absent), Ukraine ($4 million) and South Africa ($89 million). The Dutch poultry sector estimates the loss in export at $100-200 million, only for the meat.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3333.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The Dutch Government will make funds available for the culled farms and poultry breeding farms which experienced market loss due to the standstill. These payments, and all other related measures to prevent the spread of the virus, will paid by the Dutch Animal Health Fund. This fund is financed by the sector itself, the Dutch Government and the European Union. Market implications of the bird flu outbreak The value added income of the Dutch poultry sector and egg sector is estimated at respectively $1 billion and $0.85 billion in 2014 (based on figures of the WUR). Dutch exports of poultry meat and eggs were respectively $2.43 billion and $0.84 billion, of which respectively $0.34 billion and $0.15 billion is exported to third countries (based on the Global Trade Atlas). Because the Dutch sector cannot fulfill the declarations on the health certificates, exports are restricted to most Member States and third countries. Only a few countries have officially banned Dutch poultry; Hong Kong (export of $31 million in 2013), South Korea (exports absent), Ukraine ($4 million) and South Africa ($89 million). The Dutch poultry sector estimates the loss in export at $100-200 million, only for the meat.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144561<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3343.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>ELECTION OF THE CHAIR OF THE APPELLATE BODY</p>  <p>COMMUNICATION FROM THE APPELLATE BODY</p>  <p>On 31 December 2014 the term of Mr Ricardo Ramírez Hernández as Chair of the Appellate Body expires. Pursuant to Rule 5.1 of the Working Procedures for Appellate Review, the Members of the Appellate Body have elected Mr Peter Van den Bossche to serve as Chair of the Appellate Body as of 1 January 2015 until 31 December 2015.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3343.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>ELECTION OF THE CHAIR OF THE APPELLATE BODY</p>  <p>COMMUNICATION FROM THE APPELLATE BODY</p>  <p>On 31 December 2014 the term of Mr Ricardo Ramírez Hernández as Chair of the Appellate Body expires. Pursuant to Rule 5.1 of the Working Procedures for Appellate Review, the Members of the Appellate Body have elected Mr Peter Van den Bossche to serve as Chair of the Appellate Body as of 1 January 2015 until 31 December 2015.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144564<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3346.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>According to the United Nations Multi-Agency Support Team (MAST), nontariff measures (NTMs) are defined as policy measures other than tariffs that may have an economic effect on international trade (UNCTAD, 2010). NTMs may be categorized as technical or nontechnical measures. Technical measures include sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, technical barriers to trade (e.g., product standards, testing requirements, and other technical requirements), pre-shipment formalities, and related requirements. Nontechnical measures include quotas, price control measures, rules of origin requirements, government procurement restrictions, and related measures.</p>  <p>SPS measures include standards necessary to protect human, animal, or plant life or health from risks arising from the entry or spread of plant or animal-borne pests or diseases, or from additives, contaminants, toxins, or disease-causing organisms in foods, beverages, or feedstuffs (Womach, 2005). Under the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) SPS Agreement, countries are allowed to impose standards that are based on science, are implemented with adequate risk assessment, and do not discriminate against foreign producers. While SPS measures are intended to address food, animal or plant safety issues, their requirements may restrict trade by adding compliance, inspection, and operational costs. In some cases, the costs are prohibitive and prevent trade altogether. Exporters have raised concerns over SPS measures that have requirements disproportionate to the actual levels of risk, or measures viewed as disguised barriers to trade (Anderson et al., 2012). Foreign meat products face a range of technical and nontechnical NTMs in the EU market, including SPS measures, which are a focus of this report. TRQs are a special type of quota that implements a two-tiered tariff, charging one tariff rate on a set amount of imports (i.e., the quota portion) and a second tariff on above-quota amounts. Because many in-quota tariffs are relatively low and above-quota tariff rates are prohibitively high, TRQs often operate like a simple quota. Countries use a variety of methods to administer TRQs that can further inhibit market access. These range from</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3346.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>According to the United Nations Multi-Agency Support Team (MAST), nontariff measures (NTMs) are defined as policy measures other than tariffs that may have an economic effect on international trade (UNCTAD, 2010). NTMs may be categorized as technical or nontechnical measures. Technical measures include sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, technical barriers to trade (e.g., product standards, testing requirements, and other technical requirements), pre-shipment formalities, and related requirements. Nontechnical measures include quotas, price control measures, rules of origin requirements, government procurement restrictions, and related measures.</p>  <p>SPS measures include standards necessary to protect human, animal, or plant life or health from risks arising from the entry or spread of plant or animal-borne pests or diseases, or from additives, contaminants, toxins, or disease-causing organisms in foods, beverages, or feedstuffs (Womach, 2005). Under the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) SPS Agreement, countries are allowed to impose standards that are based on science, are implemented with adequate risk assessment, and do not discriminate against foreign producers. While SPS measures are intended to address food, animal or plant safety issues, their requirements may restrict trade by adding compliance, inspection, and operational costs. In some cases, the costs are prohibitive and prevent trade altogether. Exporters have raised concerns over SPS measures that have requirements disproportionate to the actual levels of risk, or measures viewed as disguised barriers to trade (Anderson et al., 2012). Foreign meat products face a range of technical and nontechnical NTMs in the EU market, including SPS measures, which are a focus of this report. TRQs are a special type of quota that implements a two-tiered tariff, charging one tariff rate on a set amount of imports (i.e., the quota portion) and a second tariff on above-quota amounts. Because many in-quota tariffs are relatively low and above-quota tariff rates are prohibitively high, TRQs often operate like a simple quota. Countries use a variety of methods to administer TRQs that can further inhibit market access. These range from</p>  -->Entity ID - 144565<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3347.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Deputy Head of the Rosselkhoznadzor Nikolay Vlasov addressed to International Coordination Executive for USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Jane Doherty with a letter which among other things says that due to increase in the number of cases when products posing veterinary and sanitary risks were exported from the USA into the Russian Federation the Rosselkhoznadzor sent a letter to the FSIS in June, current year with a request to enhance the control of the compliance of animal products including poultry products exported to Russia with the requirements and standards of the Customs Union and Russia. It should be said that there are still findings of harmful and banned substance residues in poultry products imported from the USA including tetracyclines, which is a serious violation of the CU requirements and standards and is indicative of inefficient control of the US Veterinary Service. Besides the Rosselkhoznadzor noted the common practice of the US Veterinary Service not to provide the Russian party with the information about removal of a significant number of detected violations of the CU and RF legislation which had been notified to the FSIS by the Rosselkhoznadzor. In 2014 54 notifications were sent to the FSIS and just three of them were replied. Besides in October current year the product safety control at the US poultry processing plants was changed and according to the Rosselkhoznadzor’s experts this may lead to a significant decrease in the level of US poultry product safety. The US Veterinary Service did not inform the Rosselkhoznadzor about coming changes in advance.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3347.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Deputy Head of the Rosselkhoznadzor Nikolay Vlasov addressed to International Coordination Executive for USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Jane Doherty with a letter which among other things says that due to increase in the number of cases when products posing veterinary and sanitary risks were exported from the USA into the Russian Federation the Rosselkhoznadzor sent a letter to the FSIS in June, current year with a request to enhance the control of the compliance of animal products including poultry products exported to Russia with the requirements and standards of the Customs Union and Russia. It should be said that there are still findings of harmful and banned substance residues in poultry products imported from the USA including tetracyclines, which is a serious violation of the CU requirements and standards and is indicative of inefficient control of the US Veterinary Service. Besides the Rosselkhoznadzor noted the common practice of the US Veterinary Service not to provide the Russian party with the information about removal of a significant number of detected violations of the CU and RF legislation which had been notified to the FSIS by the Rosselkhoznadzor. In 2014 54 notifications were sent to the FSIS and just three of them were replied. Besides in October current year the product safety control at the US poultry processing plants was changed and according to the Rosselkhoznadzor’s experts this may lead to a significant decrease in the level of US poultry product safety. The US Veterinary Service did not inform the Rosselkhoznadzor about coming changes in advance.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144568<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3350.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>THE NEXT MEETING OF THE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BODY WILL BE HELD IN THE CENTRE WILLIAM RAPPARD ON WEDNESDAY, 17 DECEMBER 2014, STARTING AT 10 A.M.</p>  <p>THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE PROPOSED FOR THE AGENDA:</p>  <p>1. SURVEILLANCE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED BY THE DSB</p>  <p>A. UNITED STATES – SECTION 211 OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 1998: STATUS REPORT BY THE UNITED STATES (WT/DS176/11/ADD.144)</p>  <p>B. UNITED STATES – ANTI-DUMPING MEASURES ON CERTAIN HOTROLLED STEEL PRODUCTS FROM JAPAN: STATUS REPORT BY THE UNITED STATES (WT/DS184/15/ADD.144)</p>  <p>C. UNITED STATES – SECTION 110(5) OF THE US COPYRIGHT ACT: STATUS REPORT BY THE UNITED STATES (WT/DS160/24/ADD.119)</p>  <p>D. EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES – MEASURES AFFECTING THE APPROVAL AND MARKETING OF BIOTECH PRODUCTS: STATUS REPORT BY THE EUROPEAN UNION (WT/DS291/37/ADD.82)</p>  <p>E. UNITED STATES – ANTI-DUMPING MEASURES ON CERTAIN SHRIMP FROM VIET NAM: STATUS REPORT BY THE UNITED STATES (WT/DS404/11/ADD.30)</p>  <p>2. UNITED STATES – CONTINUED DUMPING AND SUBSIDY OFFSET ACT OF 2000: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED BY THE DSB</p>  <p>A. STATEMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN UNION AND JAPAN</p>  <p>3. CHINA – CERTAIN MEASURES AFFECTING ELECTRONIC PAYMENT SERVICES</p>  <p>A. STATEMENT BY THE UNITED STATES</p>  <p>4. THAILAND – CUSTOMS AND FISCAL MEASURES ON CIGARETTES FROM THE PHILIPPINES</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3350.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>THE NEXT MEETING OF THE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BODY WILL BE HELD IN THE CENTRE WILLIAM RAPPARD ON WEDNESDAY, 17 DECEMBER 2014, STARTING AT 10 A.M.</p>  <p>THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE PROPOSED FOR THE AGENDA:</p>  <p>1. SURVEILLANCE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED BY THE DSB</p>  <p>A. UNITED STATES – SECTION 211 OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 1998: STATUS REPORT BY THE UNITED STATES (WT/DS176/11/ADD.144)</p>  <p>B. UNITED STATES – ANTI-DUMPING MEASURES ON CERTAIN HOTROLLED STEEL PRODUCTS FROM JAPAN: STATUS REPORT BY THE UNITED STATES (WT/DS184/15/ADD.144)</p>  <p>C. UNITED STATES – SECTION 110(5) OF THE US COPYRIGHT ACT: STATUS REPORT BY THE UNITED STATES (WT/DS160/24/ADD.119)</p>  <p>D. EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES – MEASURES AFFECTING THE APPROVAL AND MARKETING OF BIOTECH PRODUCTS: STATUS REPORT BY THE EUROPEAN UNION (WT/DS291/37/ADD.82)</p>  <p>E. UNITED STATES – ANTI-DUMPING MEASURES ON CERTAIN SHRIMP FROM VIET NAM: STATUS REPORT BY THE UNITED STATES (WT/DS404/11/ADD.30)</p>  <p>2. UNITED STATES – CONTINUED DUMPING AND SUBSIDY OFFSET ACT OF 2000: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED BY THE DSB</p>  <p>A. STATEMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN UNION AND JAPAN</p>  <p>3. CHINA – CERTAIN MEASURES AFFECTING ELECTRONIC PAYMENT SERVICES</p>  <p>A. STATEMENT BY THE UNITED STATES</p>  <p>4. THAILAND – CUSTOMS AND FISCAL MEASURES ON CIGARETTES FROM THE PHILIPPINES</p>  -->Entity ID - 144577<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3359.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Important Dates</p>  <p>1. Publication Date: December 4, 2014</p>  <p>2. Start of Public Comment Period: Initial questionnaires must be submitted within 28 working days from publication date of this official announcement. FAS is awaiting confirmation from the Government of Mexico on the official deadline, currently estimated to be January 16, 2015.</p>  <p>3. Timeframe for the investigation: January 1, 2013-December 31, 2013</p>  <p>4. Timeframe for analysis of damages: January 1, 2011-December 31, 2013</p>  <p>Products Affected: All apple varieties in tariff code 0808.10.01.</p>  <p>Agency in Charge: International Commercial Practices Unit (UPCI), Secretariat of Economy</p>  <p>(Economía)</p>  <p>Notice Summary: On December 4, 2014, Economía published a notice in the Diario Oficial announcing an anti-dumping investigation of apples from the United States exported to Mexico. The investigation is in response to a petition submitted to UPCI by the Unión Agrícola Regional de Fruticultores del Estado de Chihuahua, (UNIFRUT). The petitioners allege price discrimination and claim that U.S. apples are entering the Mexican market at below fair market value.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3359.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Important Dates</p>  <p>1. Publication Date: December 4, 2014</p>  <p>2. Start of Public Comment Period: Initial questionnaires must be submitted within 28 working days from publication date of this official announcement. FAS is awaiting confirmation from the Government of Mexico on the official deadline, currently estimated to be January 16, 2015.</p>  <p>3. Timeframe for the investigation: January 1, 2013-December 31, 2013</p>  <p>4. Timeframe for analysis of damages: January 1, 2011-December 31, 2013</p>  <p>Products Affected: All apple varieties in tariff code 0808.10.01.</p>  <p>Agency in Charge: International Commercial Practices Unit (UPCI), Secretariat of Economy</p>  <p>(Economía)</p>  <p>Notice Summary: On December 4, 2014, Economía published a notice in the Diario Oficial announcing an anti-dumping investigation of apples from the United States exported to Mexico. The investigation is in response to a petition submitted to UPCI by the Unión Agrícola Regional de Fruticultores del Estado de Chihuahua, (UNIFRUT). The petitioners allege price discrimination and claim that U.S. apples are entering the Mexican market at below fair market value.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144578<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3360.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2014 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced speakers for the 2015 Agricultural Outlook Forum, "Smart Agriculture in the 21st Century," to be held from Feb. 19-20, 2015, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, Arlington, Va. The forum's plenary speakers and sessions will take a global, modern look at different aspects of today's agriculture industry. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and European Commissioner of Agriculture &amp; Rural Development Phil Hogan will engage in a far-ranging roundtable discussion on agriculture. Dr. Richard N. Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations, will address "Food, Foreign Policy and International Order." USDA's Chief Economist Joseph Glauber will deliver the 2015 Agricultural &amp; Foreign Trade Outlooks.  The plenary panel focuses on "A Discussion on Innovation, Biotechnology, and Big Data" with wide latitude for panelists to talk about the intersection of these issues. Moderated by Secretary Tom Vilsack, the panel includes: Cory J. Reed, Senior Vice President, Intelligent Solutions Group, John Deere and Company; Dr. Robert T. Fraley, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Monsanto; Mary Kay Thatcher, Senior Director, Congressional Relations, American Farm Bureau Federation; and Dr. Robert Sutor, Vice President, Mobile, Solutions, and Mathematical Sciences, IBM Corporation.  Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden will welcome the plenary audience and also moderate an afternoon session titled "Tomorrow's Opportunities," focused on the potential of agriculture as a career, and the importance of new and beginning farmers and ranchers.  The Forum's dinner speaker will be Ambassador Darci Vetter, Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Office of the United States Trade Representative.  Speaking at the 25 breakout sessions and five topical luncheons will be more than 100 distinguished experts. Breakout session topics on the agenda include: Perspectives on Global and U.S. Trade; Big Data's Impact on U.S. Agriculture; Commodity Situation and Outlooks; Food Price and Farm Income Outlooks; Moving Feed, Food and Fuel to Market; Opportunities in the Bio-Economy; Antimicrobial Resistance; and Bee/Pollinator Issues Facing Agriculture.</p>  <p>Additional breakout sessions will cover: Conservation and Regulatory Program Updates; Water Issues and Drought, Climate Change; Nutrition Trends and New Opportunities for Producers; Regional Approaches to Rural Growth; Local Food Marketing Trends; The 100th Anniversary of USDA Market News; and Reducing Food Waste.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3360.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2014 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced speakers for the 2015 Agricultural Outlook Forum, "Smart Agriculture in the 21st Century," to be held from Feb. 19-20, 2015, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, Arlington, Va. The forum's plenary speakers and sessions will take a global, modern look at different aspects of today's agriculture industry. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and European Commissioner of Agriculture &amp; Rural Development Phil Hogan will engage in a far-ranging roundtable discussion on agriculture. Dr. Richard N. Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations, will address "Food, Foreign Policy and International Order." USDA's Chief Economist Joseph Glauber will deliver the 2015 Agricultural &amp; Foreign Trade Outlooks.  The plenary panel focuses on "A Discussion on Innovation, Biotechnology, and Big Data" with wide latitude for panelists to talk about the intersection of these issues. Moderated by Secretary Tom Vilsack, the panel includes: Cory J. Reed, Senior Vice President, Intelligent Solutions Group, John Deere and Company; Dr. Robert T. Fraley, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Monsanto; Mary Kay Thatcher, Senior Director, Congressional Relations, American Farm Bureau Federation; and Dr. Robert Sutor, Vice President, Mobile, Solutions, and Mathematical Sciences, IBM Corporation.  Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden will welcome the plenary audience and also moderate an afternoon session titled "Tomorrow's Opportunities," focused on the potential of agriculture as a career, and the importance of new and beginning farmers and ranchers.  The Forum's dinner speaker will be Ambassador Darci Vetter, Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Office of the United States Trade Representative.  Speaking at the 25 breakout sessions and five topical luncheons will be more than 100 distinguished experts. Breakout session topics on the agenda include: Perspectives on Global and U.S. Trade; Big Data's Impact on U.S. Agriculture; Commodity Situation and Outlooks; Food Price and Farm Income Outlooks; Moving Feed, Food and Fuel to Market; Opportunities in the Bio-Economy; Antimicrobial Resistance; and Bee/Pollinator Issues Facing Agriculture.</p>  <p>Additional breakout sessions will cover: Conservation and Regulatory Program Updates; Water Issues and Drought, Climate Change; Nutrition Trends and New Opportunities for Producers; Regional Approaches to Rural Growth; Local Food Marketing Trends; The 100th Anniversary of USDA Market News; and Reducing Food Waste.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144581<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3363.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Ernest Moniz today announced that they will lead a Business Development Mission to China in April 2015, focused on industries supporting Smart Cities and Smart Growth. The trade mission will help U.S. companies launch or increase their business in China in areas such as green buildings, building energy retrofitting, building management, green data centers, carbon capture utilization and storage, energy efficiency technologies, clean air and water technologies, waste treatment technologies, smart grid and green transportation.</p>  <p>This mission is one of several efforts underway that will help strengthen and expand U.S.-China clean energy cooperation following the joint announcement made by President Obama and President Xi on November 12 in Beijing on the two countries’ post-2020 climate targets. China is the world’s largest energy consumer and the leading emitter of greenhouse gases, and this mission will help China meet its stated goal of peaking CO2 emissions around 2030, and increasing their non-fossil fuel share of all energy to around 20 percent by 2030.</p>  <p>“As the country’s Chief Commercial Advocate, a key part of my job is helping U.S. companies connect with business opportunities around the world, and China’s energy sector holds huge potential for U.S. firms,” said Secretary Pritzker. “China will continue to have tremendous energy needs as the country urbanizes and grows its middle class, and American companies have the expertise necessary to serve as partners in building clean and efficient infrastructure. I am thrilled that Secretary of Energy Moniz will be joining me on this mission to represent the best of what the U.S. has to offer when it comes to world-class businesses and unparalleled know-how in clean technology.”</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3363.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Ernest Moniz today announced that they will lead a Business Development Mission to China in April 2015, focused on industries supporting Smart Cities and Smart Growth. The trade mission will help U.S. companies launch or increase their business in China in areas such as green buildings, building energy retrofitting, building management, green data centers, carbon capture utilization and storage, energy efficiency technologies, clean air and water technologies, waste treatment technologies, smart grid and green transportation.</p>  <p>This mission is one of several efforts underway that will help strengthen and expand U.S.-China clean energy cooperation following the joint announcement made by President Obama and President Xi on November 12 in Beijing on the two countries’ post-2020 climate targets. China is the world’s largest energy consumer and the leading emitter of greenhouse gases, and this mission will help China meet its stated goal of peaking CO2 emissions around 2030, and increasing their non-fossil fuel share of all energy to around 20 percent by 2030.</p>  <p>“As the country’s Chief Commercial Advocate, a key part of my job is helping U.S. companies connect with business opportunities around the world, and China’s energy sector holds huge potential for U.S. firms,” said Secretary Pritzker. “China will continue to have tremendous energy needs as the country urbanizes and grows its middle class, and American companies have the expertise necessary to serve as partners in building clean and efficient infrastructure. I am thrilled that Secretary of Energy Moniz will be joining me on this mission to represent the best of what the U.S. has to offer when it comes to world-class businesses and unparalleled know-how in clean technology.”</p>  -->Entity ID - 144586<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3368.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Thank you for your letter of 1 November regarding my appointment as European Union Trade Commissioner.</p>  <p>As Ministers overseeing the trade relations of two of the world's largest economies we will have a joint responsibility to use international trade and investment to support growth in both the European Union and China. I am confident that through dialogue and in a spirit of co-operation we will be able to deliver concrete results to move our bilateral relationship forward.</p>  <p>I hope that we will be able to deepen this relationship even further, in particular by achieving a swift and successful conclusion to our investment agreement negotiations. I look forward to steering this process forward with you.</p>  <p>I also trust that we will be able to work together within the WTO on the preparation of the post-Bali work programme and the implementation of the Trade Facilitation agreement. This will provide a good opportunity to both the European Union and China to demonstrate leadership and our continued support to the multilateral trading system. We need to continue to move forward on the ongoing plurilateral discussions, too. In particular, we need to conclude the expansion of the WTO Information Technology Agreement as soon as possible. Completing the ITA and further progress on the 'green goods initiative' would be very good news for the future of the WTO.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3368.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Thank you for your letter of 1 November regarding my appointment as European Union Trade Commissioner.</p>  <p>As Ministers overseeing the trade relations of two of the world's largest economies we will have a joint responsibility to use international trade and investment to support growth in both the European Union and China. I am confident that through dialogue and in a spirit of co-operation we will be able to deliver concrete results to move our bilateral relationship forward.</p>  <p>I hope that we will be able to deepen this relationship even further, in particular by achieving a swift and successful conclusion to our investment agreement negotiations. I look forward to steering this process forward with you.</p>  <p>I also trust that we will be able to work together within the WTO on the preparation of the post-Bali work programme and the implementation of the Trade Facilitation agreement. This will provide a good opportunity to both the European Union and China to demonstrate leadership and our continued support to the multilateral trading system. We need to continue to move forward on the ongoing plurilateral discussions, too. In particular, we need to conclude the expansion of the WTO Information Technology Agreement as soon as possible. Completing the ITA and further progress on the 'green goods initiative' would be very good news for the future of the WTO.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144587<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3369.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>SUMMARY: The U.S. International Trade Commission (“Commission”) hereby gives notice of the court-ordered remand of its final determinations in the countervailing duty investigations of circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe (“CWP”) from India, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) and the antidumping duty investigations of CWP from India, Oman, the UAE, and Vietnam. For further information concerning the conduct of these remand proceedings and rules of general application, consult the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, part 201, subparts A through E (19 CFR part 201), and part 207, subpart A (19 CFR part 207).</p>  <p>DATES: Effective Dates: [INSERT DATE OF PUBLICATION IN FEDERAL REGISTER].</p>  <p>FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Corkran (202-205-3057), Office of Investigations, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Hearing-impaired persons can obtain information on this matter by contacting the Commission’s TDD terminal on 202-205-1810. Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the Secretary at 202-205-2000. General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its internet server (http://www.usitc.gov). The public record of</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3369.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>SUMMARY: The U.S. International Trade Commission (“Commission”) hereby gives notice of the court-ordered remand of its final determinations in the countervailing duty investigations of circular welded carbon-quality steel pipe (“CWP”) from India, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) and the antidumping duty investigations of CWP from India, Oman, the UAE, and Vietnam. For further information concerning the conduct of these remand proceedings and rules of general application, consult the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, part 201, subparts A through E (19 CFR part 201), and part 207, subpart A (19 CFR part 207).</p>  <p>DATES: Effective Dates: [INSERT DATE OF PUBLICATION IN FEDERAL REGISTER].</p>  <p>FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Corkran (202-205-3057), Office of Investigations, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Hearing-impaired persons can obtain information on this matter by contacting the Commission’s TDD terminal on 202-205-1810. Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the Secretary at 202-205-2000. General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its internet server (http://www.usitc.gov). The public record of</p>  -->Entity ID - 144590<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3372.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Q: Any updates on Nicaragua TPL getting extended by the end of year? A: There is general agreement that the Nicaragua TPL should be extended. However, as you may know there are currently two bills introduced in the Senate to achieve the extension. Senator Feinstein (D-CA) introduced a bill that will extend the TPL as is for a ten year period. Senator Hagan (D-NC) introduced a bill that will only extend the one-for-one matching part of the TPL for a ten year period. There is growing pessimism that any legislation on trade will move in 2014.</p>  <p>Q: What about trade status with El Salvador? How will that affect the rest of Central America? A: I am assuming the question is with respect to the other FTAs the US is negotiating and how they will impact El Salvador and the other countries. There is good news and there is bad news. The good news is that any FTA negotiations that are ongoing right now are not likely to be implemented BEFORE 2018 at the earliest and quite possibly not until 2020. The bad news is that the TPP especially will impact the region. These countries need to focus on ways to remain a viable apparel making option for brands by obtaining accumulation with other countries/groupings such as in the TTIP, with the Pacific Alliance countries; possibly working legislatively to get Congress to allow a triangulation of origin for FTA parties, etc.</p>  <p>Q: Anything on Ecuador Duty? A: Ecuador duties will remain at the normal trade relations rate of duty. There are no initiatives to give any reduced duty treatment to goods of Ecuadoran origin.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3372.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Q: Any updates on Nicaragua TPL getting extended by the end of year? A: There is general agreement that the Nicaragua TPL should be extended. However, as you may know there are currently two bills introduced in the Senate to achieve the extension. Senator Feinstein (D-CA) introduced a bill that will extend the TPL as is for a ten year period. Senator Hagan (D-NC) introduced a bill that will only extend the one-for-one matching part of the TPL for a ten year period. There is growing pessimism that any legislation on trade will move in 2014.</p>  <p>Q: What about trade status with El Salvador? How will that affect the rest of Central America? A: I am assuming the question is with respect to the other FTAs the US is negotiating and how they will impact El Salvador and the other countries. There is good news and there is bad news. The good news is that any FTA negotiations that are ongoing right now are not likely to be implemented BEFORE 2018 at the earliest and quite possibly not until 2020. The bad news is that the TPP especially will impact the region. These countries need to focus on ways to remain a viable apparel making option for brands by obtaining accumulation with other countries/groupings such as in the TTIP, with the Pacific Alliance countries; possibly working legislatively to get Congress to allow a triangulation of origin for FTA parties, etc.</p>  <p>Q: Anything on Ecuador Duty? A: Ecuador duties will remain at the normal trade relations rate of duty. There are no initiatives to give any reduced duty treatment to goods of Ecuadoran origin.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144602<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3384.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>1.29. Fourth, while Members’ engagement will need to be deep and detailed, it must also be broad. Agriculture, Non-Agricultural Market Access and Services are all on the table now — and these continue to be our core issues. But, having said that, we must also make sure that we are fully engaged outside these core areas as well.</p>  <p>1.30. So instead of trying to sequence our engagement, I think it is essential that we seek now to meaningfully engage across all of the issues and all of the negotiating groups. We need to be exploring issues and looking at options for progress in all of our negotiating areas so that we are ready in all of them as July gets closer.</p>  <p>1.31. So, in my view, these are the key ingredients that we need at this stage if we are going to keep building momentum going into the New Year and create the conditions for success.</p>  <p>1.32. We need urgent, horizontal and reasonable but full engagement across the board. And I will do all I can to facilitate this. To this end, I plan to hold informal TNC meetings in Room W at the Heads of Delegations level — starting on 21 January. How often and on which issues, we will decide as we go along. I want these meetings to be focused and business-like, aimed at moving our work forward.</p>  <p>1.33. There will, of course, continue to be our regular TNC meetings and, as I have already outlined, the intensification of work taking place in each of the negotiating Groups will be vital to our ability to make progress.</p>  <p>1.34. 2015 is going to be a big year for the WTO. We have important work to do and real deadlines to meet. We will hold our 10th Ministerial Conference. We will celebrate our 20th anniversary. So let us make sure that it is a year to remember.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3384.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>1.29. Fourth, while Members’ engagement will need to be deep and detailed, it must also be broad. Agriculture, Non-Agricultural Market Access and Services are all on the table now — and these continue to be our core issues. But, having said that, we must also make sure that we are fully engaged outside these core areas as well.</p>  <p>1.30. So instead of trying to sequence our engagement, I think it is essential that we seek now to meaningfully engage across all of the issues and all of the negotiating groups. We need to be exploring issues and looking at options for progress in all of our negotiating areas so that we are ready in all of them as July gets closer.</p>  <p>1.31. So, in my view, these are the key ingredients that we need at this stage if we are going to keep building momentum going into the New Year and create the conditions for success.</p>  <p>1.32. We need urgent, horizontal and reasonable but full engagement across the board. And I will do all I can to facilitate this. To this end, I plan to hold informal TNC meetings in Room W at the Heads of Delegations level — starting on 21 January. How often and on which issues, we will decide as we go along. I want these meetings to be focused and business-like, aimed at moving our work forward.</p>  <p>1.33. There will, of course, continue to be our regular TNC meetings and, as I have already outlined, the intensification of work taking place in each of the negotiating Groups will be vital to our ability to make progress.</p>  <p>1.34. 2015 is going to be a big year for the WTO. We have important work to do and real deadlines to meet. We will hold our 10th Ministerial Conference. We will celebrate our 20th anniversary. So let us make sure that it is a year to remember.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144604<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3386.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>WASHINGTON, December 11, 2014 - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today made the following statement on the retirement from federal service of USDA Chief Economist Dr. Joe Glauber:</p>  <p>"No one has a higher level of credibility on issues impacting the agricultural economy than Dr. Glauber. Farm country and, truly, the country as a whole have been extraordinarily well served by Joe throughout his 30 years of federal service. I will miss Joe's expertise and wise counsel, and wish him well as he begins the next phase of his distinguished career." Current USDA Deputy Chief Economist Dr. Robert Johansson has been named Acting Chief Economist. Johansson has served as USDA's Deputy Chief Economist since 2012 and holds a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from the University of</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3386.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>WASHINGTON, December 11, 2014 - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today made the following statement on the retirement from federal service of USDA Chief Economist Dr. Joe Glauber:</p>  <p>"No one has a higher level of credibility on issues impacting the agricultural economy than Dr. Glauber. Farm country and, truly, the country as a whole have been extraordinarily well served by Joe throughout his 30 years of federal service. I will miss Joe's expertise and wise counsel, and wish him well as he begins the next phase of his distinguished career." Current USDA Deputy Chief Economist Dr. Robert Johansson has been named Acting Chief Economist. Johansson has served as USDA's Deputy Chief Economist since 2012 and holds a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from the University of</p>  -->Entity ID - 144609<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3391.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The General Council, on 10 December, agreed that the 10th Ministerial Conference be held in Nairobi, Kenya from 15 to 18 December 2015. The chair, Ambassador Jonathan Fried, warmly thanked and congratulated Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed and the Government of Kenya for their successful offer. He noted that he had previously informed delegations of Turkey’s decision to withdraw its offer to host the Conference in favour of Kenya, and thanked Turkey for its constructive spirit during the whole process.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3391.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The General Council, on 10 December, agreed that the 10th Ministerial Conference be held in Nairobi, Kenya from 15 to 18 December 2015. The chair, Ambassador Jonathan Fried, warmly thanked and congratulated Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed and the Government of Kenya for their successful offer. He noted that he had previously informed delegations of Turkey’s decision to withdraw its offer to host the Conference in favour of Kenya, and thanked Turkey for its constructive spirit during the whole process.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144616<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3398.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>SUMMARY: The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has determined that Guinea and Madagascar have each adopted effective visa systems and related procedures to prevent unlawful transshipment of textile and apparel articles and the use of counterfeit documents in connection with the shipment of such articles and has implemented and follows, or is making substantial progress toward implementing and following, the customs procedures required by the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Therefore, as specified in this notice, imports of eligible products from Guinea and Madagascar qualify for the textile and apparel benefits provided for under AGOA.</p>  <p>DATES: Effective Date: [INSERT Date of Publication IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]</p>  <p>SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The AGOA (Title I of the Trade and Development Act of 2000, Public Law 106-200, as amended provides preferential tariff treatment for imports of certain textile and apparel products of beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries. The textile and apparel trade benefits under AGOA are available to imports of eligible products from countries that the President designates as “beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries,” provided that these countries: (1) Have adopted an effective visa system and related procedures to prevent</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3398.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>SUMMARY: The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has determined that Guinea and Madagascar have each adopted effective visa systems and related procedures to prevent unlawful transshipment of textile and apparel articles and the use of counterfeit documents in connection with the shipment of such articles and has implemented and follows, or is making substantial progress toward implementing and following, the customs procedures required by the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Therefore, as specified in this notice, imports of eligible products from Guinea and Madagascar qualify for the textile and apparel benefits provided for under AGOA.</p>  <p>DATES: Effective Date: [INSERT Date of Publication IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]</p>  <p>SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The AGOA (Title I of the Trade and Development Act of 2000, Public Law 106-200, as amended provides preferential tariff treatment for imports of certain textile and apparel products of beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries. The textile and apparel trade benefits under AGOA are available to imports of eligible products from countries that the President designates as “beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries,” provided that these countries: (1) Have adopted an effective visa system and related procedures to prevent</p>  -->Entity ID - 144618<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3400.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The President will host President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico at the White House on Tuesday, January 6. The visit follows President Obama’s trip to Mexico in February 2014 to Toluca, Mexico and his May 2013 visit to Mexico City; Vice President Biden’s September 2013 and December 2012 visits to Mexico City; and President Peña Nieto’s November 2012 visit to Washington when he was President-elect.</p>  <p>The President looks forward to welcoming President Peña Nieto back to Washington and working with him to continue strengthening the strategic partnership between the United States and Mexico and advancing our common goals. During President Peña Nieto’s visit, the two leaders will highlight the importance of expanding dialogue and cooperation between the United States and Mexico on economic, security and social issues, as well as underscoring the deep cultural ties and friendship that exist between our two countries.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3400.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The President will host President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico at the White House on Tuesday, January 6. The visit follows President Obama’s trip to Mexico in February 2014 to Toluca, Mexico and his May 2013 visit to Mexico City; Vice President Biden’s September 2013 and December 2012 visits to Mexico City; and President Peña Nieto’s November 2012 visit to Washington when he was President-elect.</p>  <p>The President looks forward to welcoming President Peña Nieto back to Washington and working with him to continue strengthening the strategic partnership between the United States and Mexico and advancing our common goals. During President Peña Nieto’s visit, the two leaders will highlight the importance of expanding dialogue and cooperation between the United States and Mexico on economic, security and social issues, as well as underscoring the deep cultural ties and friendship that exist between our two countries.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144621<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3403.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>A team from the WTO Secretariat has visited the country recently from 19th25th November 2014 to assess India’s trade policies, mainly in lieu of the upcoming Sixth Trade Policy Review of India, scheduled to be held in June 2015, in Geneva. The WTO Secretariat team consisted of two officials from the Secretariat’s Trade Policy Review division. These officials essentially represent the WTO Secretariat, a neutral body that brings out an objective report of a country, as a part of the trade policy review process of the WTO. As per the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) of the WTO, India undergoes a trade policy review in the WTO, once in every four years. The last trade policy review of India was conducted in 2011 and the next one is scheduled in June 2015. As a part of the review process, the WTO Secretariat prepares a detailed Secretariat report on the trade related developments in the country since its last review. The WTO Secretariat team was in India for the preparation of this Secretariat report. The Secretariat report along with the Government report forms the basis for discussions when the General Council discusses India’s trade policy developments. Overall, the trade policy review exercise in the WTO is aimed at improving transparency, creating a better understanding of the trade policies and practices of Member countries and enabling a multilateral assessment of the effects of such policies and practices on the multilateraltrading system</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3403.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>A team from the WTO Secretariat has visited the country recently from 19th25th November 2014 to assess India’s trade policies, mainly in lieu of the upcoming Sixth Trade Policy Review of India, scheduled to be held in June 2015, in Geneva. The WTO Secretariat team consisted of two officials from the Secretariat’s Trade Policy Review division. These officials essentially represent the WTO Secretariat, a neutral body that brings out an objective report of a country, as a part of the trade policy review process of the WTO. As per the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) of the WTO, India undergoes a trade policy review in the WTO, once in every four years. The last trade policy review of India was conducted in 2011 and the next one is scheduled in June 2015. As a part of the review process, the WTO Secretariat prepares a detailed Secretariat report on the trade related developments in the country since its last review. The WTO Secretariat team was in India for the preparation of this Secretariat report. The Secretariat report along with the Government report forms the basis for discussions when the General Council discusses India’s trade policy developments. Overall, the trade policy review exercise in the WTO is aimed at improving transparency, creating a better understanding of the trade policies and practices of Member countries and enabling a multilateral assessment of the effects of such policies and practices on the multilateraltrading system</p>  -->Entity ID - 144622<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3404.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Limitation of Duty-free Imports of Apparel Articles Assembled in Haiti under the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity Through Partnership for Encouragement= Act (HOPE) AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notification of Annual Quantitative Limit on Certain Apparel under HOPE. SUMMARY: HOPE provides for duty-free treatment for certain apparel articles imported directly from Haiti. One of the preferences under HOPE is known as the “value-added” program, which requires that apparel meet a minimum threshold percentage of value added in Haiti, the United States, and/or certain beneficiary countries. The program is subject to a quantitative limitation, which is calculated as a percentage of total apparel imports into the United States for each 12-month annual period. For the annual period from December 20, 2014 through December 19, 2015, the quantity of imports eligible for preferential treatment under the value-added program is 332,915,916 square meters equivalent. DATES: Effective Date: December 20, 2014. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria Dybczak, International Trade Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 482-3651. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority: The Caribbean Basin Recovery Act ("CBERA"), as amended by the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity Through Partnership for Encouragement Act of 2006 ("HOPE"), Title V of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 and the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3404.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Limitation of Duty-free Imports of Apparel Articles Assembled in Haiti under the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity Through Partnership for Encouragement= Act (HOPE) AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notification of Annual Quantitative Limit on Certain Apparel under HOPE. SUMMARY: HOPE provides for duty-free treatment for certain apparel articles imported directly from Haiti. One of the preferences under HOPE is known as the “value-added” program, which requires that apparel meet a minimum threshold percentage of value added in Haiti, the United States, and/or certain beneficiary countries. The program is subject to a quantitative limitation, which is calculated as a percentage of total apparel imports into the United States for each 12-month annual period. For the annual period from December 20, 2014 through December 19, 2015, the quantity of imports eligible for preferential treatment under the value-added program is 332,915,916 square meters equivalent. DATES: Effective Date: December 20, 2014. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria Dybczak, International Trade Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 482-3651. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority: The Caribbean Basin Recovery Act ("CBERA"), as amended by the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity Through Partnership for Encouragement Act of 2006 ("HOPE"), Title V of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 and the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of</p>  -->Entity ID - 144623<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3405.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>SUMMARY: The protection of U.S. trade secrets from misappropriation is an Administration priority. As noted in the Administration Strategy on Mitigating the Theft of U.S. Trade Secrets (February 2013), “trade secret theft threatens American businesses, undermines national security, and places the security of the U.S. economy in jeopardy.” In pursuit of the goals of the Administration Strategy through information sharing and discussion, the United States Patent and Trademark Office will hold a public symposium on issues relevant to the protection of trade secrets. Topics to be discussed include losses due to trade secret theft and challenges to protecting trade secrets, the intersection of patent and trade secret protection, trade secret issues in civil litigation, trade secret protection in foreign jurisdictions, and proposed responses to the threat of trade secret theft in the U.S. DATES: The symposium will be held on January 8, 2015. The symposium will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. 2 ADDRESSES: The symposium will be held at the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Madison Building, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information regarding the symposium, please contact Michael Smith, Jenny Blank, or Hollis Robinson at the Office of Policy and International Affairs, by telephone at (571) 272-9300, by e-mail at tradesecrets@uspto.gov, or by postal mail addressed to: Mail Stop OPIA, United States</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3405.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>SUMMARY: The protection of U.S. trade secrets from misappropriation is an Administration priority. As noted in the Administration Strategy on Mitigating the Theft of U.S. Trade Secrets (February 2013), “trade secret theft threatens American businesses, undermines national security, and places the security of the U.S. economy in jeopardy.” In pursuit of the goals of the Administration Strategy through information sharing and discussion, the United States Patent and Trademark Office will hold a public symposium on issues relevant to the protection of trade secrets. Topics to be discussed include losses due to trade secret theft and challenges to protecting trade secrets, the intersection of patent and trade secret protection, trade secret issues in civil litigation, trade secret protection in foreign jurisdictions, and proposed responses to the threat of trade secret theft in the U.S. DATES: The symposium will be held on January 8, 2015. The symposium will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. 2 ADDRESSES: The symposium will be held at the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Madison Building, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information regarding the symposium, please contact Michael Smith, Jenny Blank, or Hollis Robinson at the Office of Policy and International Affairs, by telephone at (571) 272-9300, by e-mail at tradesecrets@uspto.gov, or by postal mail addressed to: Mail Stop OPIA, United States</p>  -->Entity ID - 144635<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3417.pdf</p>  <!-- "Those who fill out and send “Application Form for the Interested Party” (application form) to the competent authority within the period of 20 days after the promulgation of the related Communiqué are accepted as interested parties in the investigation. […] The interested parties are required to fill out the “Online Questionnaire for the Interested Party” (online questionnaire) by logging in to http://ithkorunma.ekonomi.gov.tr webpage with the username and password provided by the investigating authority, within the period of 30 days after the initiation of the investigation.-->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3417.pdf</p>  <!-- "Those who fill out and send “Application Form for the Interested Party” (application form) to the competent authority within the period of 20 days after the promulgation of the related Communiqué are accepted as interested parties in the investigation. […] The interested parties are required to fill out the “Online Questionnaire for the Interested Party” (online questionnaire) by logging in to http://ithkorunma.ekonomi.gov.tr webpage with the username and password provided by the investigating authority, within the period of 30 days after the initiation of the investigation.-->Entity ID - 144642<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3424.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>SUMMARY: USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to add the Republic of Lithuania (Lithuania) to the list of countries eligible to export meat and meat products to the United States. FSIS’s review of Lithuania’s laws, regulations, and inspection implementation show that its meat inspection system requirements are equivalent to the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) and its implementing regulations.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3424.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>SUMMARY: USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to add the Republic of Lithuania (Lithuania) to the list of countries eligible to export meat and meat products to the United States. FSIS’s review of Lithuania’s laws, regulations, and inspection implementation show that its meat inspection system requirements are equivalent to the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) and its implementing regulations.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144652<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3434.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>SUMMARY: On January 15, 2013, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) notified Congress of the Administration’s intention to enter into negotiations for a Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) with an initial group of 20 trading partners. The January 15 notification states that the group negotiating TISA “will expand as negotiations progress to include others who share our ambitious goals.” On November 3, 2014, USTR notified Congress of the Administration’s intention to join a consensus reached among the TISA negotiating participants to accept Uruguay into the negotiations. Through this notice, USTR seeks public comments regarding particular priorities with respect to the participation of Uruguay in the negotiations. Comments may be provided in writing.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3434.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>SUMMARY: On January 15, 2013, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) notified Congress of the Administration’s intention to enter into negotiations for a Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) with an initial group of 20 trading partners. The January 15 notification states that the group negotiating TISA “will expand as negotiations progress to include others who share our ambitious goals.” On November 3, 2014, USTR notified Congress of the Administration’s intention to join a consensus reached among the TISA negotiating participants to accept Uruguay into the negotiations. Through this notice, USTR seeks public comments regarding particular priorities with respect to the participation of Uruguay in the negotiations. Comments may be provided in writing.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144653<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3435.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>USDA Announces Early Release of Commodity Tables for USDA's Agricultural Projections to 2024</p>  <p>WASHINGTON, Dec. 16, 2014—On Dec. 18, 2014, at 11:00am EST, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will release selected tables from its upcoming USDA Agricultural Projections to 2024 report. USDA will post online tables containing long-term supply, use, and price projections to 2024 for major crops and livestock products, and will include supporting U.S. and international macroeconomic assumptions.</p>  <p>The USDA will release the complete USDA Agricultural Projections to 2024 report, as scheduled, on Feb. 11, 2015. The complete report includes a full discussion of the commodity supply and use projections, as well as projections for global commodity trade, U.S. trade value, and farm income.</p>  <p>The early-release tables will be posted to the Office of the Chief Economist's (OCE) website at www.usda.gov/oce. The tables will be in MS Excel format.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3435.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>USDA Announces Early Release of Commodity Tables for USDA's Agricultural Projections to 2024</p>  <p>WASHINGTON, Dec. 16, 2014—On Dec. 18, 2014, at 11:00am EST, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will release selected tables from its upcoming USDA Agricultural Projections to 2024 report. USDA will post online tables containing long-term supply, use, and price projections to 2024 for major crops and livestock products, and will include supporting U.S. and international macroeconomic assumptions.</p>  <p>The USDA will release the complete USDA Agricultural Projections to 2024 report, as scheduled, on Feb. 11, 2015. The complete report includes a full discussion of the commodity supply and use projections, as well as projections for global commodity trade, U.S. trade value, and farm income.</p>  <p>The early-release tables will be posted to the Office of the Chief Economist's (OCE) website at www.usda.gov/oce. The tables will be in MS Excel format.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144654<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3436.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>USDA Announces Early Release of Commodity Tables for USDA's Agricultural</p>  <p>Projections to 2024</p>  <p>WASHINGTON, Dec. 16, 2014—On Dec. 18, 2014, at 11:00am EST, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will release selected tables from its upcoming USDA Agricultural Projections to 2024 report. USDA will post online tables containing long-term supply, use, and price projections to 2024 for major crops and livestock products, and will include supporting U.S. and international macroeconomic assumptions.</p>  <p>The USDA will release the complete USDA Agricultural Projections to 2024 report, as scheduled, on Feb. 11, 2015. The complete report includes a full discussion of the commodity supply and use projections, as well as projections for global commodity trade, U.S. trade value, and farm income.</p>  <p>The early-release tables will be posted to the Office of the Chief Economist's (OCE) website at www.usda.gov/oce. The tables will be in MS Excel format.</p>  <p>USDA's long-term agricultural projections are a departmental consensus on a long-term representative scenario for the agricultural sector for the next decade. The projections are based on specific assumptions about macroeconomic conditions, policy, weather, and international developments, with no domestic or external shocks to global agricultural markets. The Agricultural Act of 2014 is assumed to remain in effect through the projection period. The projections reflect a composite of model results and judgment-based analyses and were prepared during October through December 2014. The projections use as a starting point the short-term projections from the November 2014 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3436.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>USDA Announces Early Release of Commodity Tables for USDA's Agricultural</p>  <p>Projections to 2024</p>  <p>WASHINGTON, Dec. 16, 2014—On Dec. 18, 2014, at 11:00am EST, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will release selected tables from its upcoming USDA Agricultural Projections to 2024 report. USDA will post online tables containing long-term supply, use, and price projections to 2024 for major crops and livestock products, and will include supporting U.S. and international macroeconomic assumptions.</p>  <p>The USDA will release the complete USDA Agricultural Projections to 2024 report, as scheduled, on Feb. 11, 2015. The complete report includes a full discussion of the commodity supply and use projections, as well as projections for global commodity trade, U.S. trade value, and farm income.</p>  <p>The early-release tables will be posted to the Office of the Chief Economist's (OCE) website at www.usda.gov/oce. The tables will be in MS Excel format.</p>  <p>USDA's long-term agricultural projections are a departmental consensus on a long-term representative scenario for the agricultural sector for the next decade. The projections are based on specific assumptions about macroeconomic conditions, policy, weather, and international developments, with no domestic or external shocks to global agricultural markets. The Agricultural Act of 2014 is assumed to remain in effect through the projection period. The projections reflect a composite of model results and judgment-based analyses and were prepared during October through December 2014. The projections use as a starting point the short-term projections from the November 2014 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144662<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3444.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The EU should step up its efforts to help the steel industry out of the crisis, MEPs say in a non-binding resolution voted on Wednesday. They ask the European Commission to ensure that trade deals improve steel export conditions and check that EU competition and state aid rules do not lead to unfairness between EU countries. MEPs also call for investments in workers' education and training as well as in steel research. MEPs ask the Commission to provide precise information on the European and global steel demand/supply balance and major social, economic and environmental challenges in order to develop medium- and long-term initiatives to support the steel industry in Europe. Health-check on current EU rules Parliament asks the Commission to check whether the application of EU competition rules or state aid rules has caused unfair distortion in the European steel market and, if so, to present corrective measures. It also calls for measures to prevent global steelmakers from playing EU member states off against each other over announcements of restructuring plans, MEPs say. Tailor trade deals to boost export opportunities MEPs want future trade agreements to include provisions which significantly improve export opportunities and market access for European steel and steel-based products. They stress that fair trade in steel products can work only if basic employment rights and environmental standards are respected and call for a modernisation of the EU´s trade defence instruments. Trade with carbon emitting rights</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3444.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The EU should step up its efforts to help the steel industry out of the crisis, MEPs say in a non-binding resolution voted on Wednesday. They ask the European Commission to ensure that trade deals improve steel export conditions and check that EU competition and state aid rules do not lead to unfairness between EU countries. MEPs also call for investments in workers' education and training as well as in steel research. MEPs ask the Commission to provide precise information on the European and global steel demand/supply balance and major social, economic and environmental challenges in order to develop medium- and long-term initiatives to support the steel industry in Europe. Health-check on current EU rules Parliament asks the Commission to check whether the application of EU competition rules or state aid rules has caused unfair distortion in the European steel market and, if so, to present corrective measures. It also calls for measures to prevent global steelmakers from playing EU member states off against each other over announcements of restructuring plans, MEPs say. Tailor trade deals to boost export opportunities MEPs want future trade agreements to include provisions which significantly improve export opportunities and market access for European steel and steel-based products. They stress that fair trade in steel products can work only if basic employment rights and environmental standards are respected and call for a modernisation of the EU´s trade defence instruments. Trade with carbon emitting rights</p>  -->Entity ID - 144665<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3447.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Listed hereunder are reports under Article 16.4 of the Uruguay Round Agreement received during November 2014. These reports have been received from Argentina; Australia; Brazil; the European Union; India; Korea, Rep. of; Mexico; Philippines; Russian Federation; Ukraine and the United States concerning preliminary and final antidumping actions. These reports are available and may be obtained electronically from the WTO Secretariat by government representatives.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3447.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Listed hereunder are reports under Article 16.4 of the Uruguay Round Agreement received during November 2014. These reports have been received from Argentina; Australia; Brazil; the European Union; India; Korea, Rep. of; Mexico; Philippines; Russian Federation; Ukraine and the United States concerning preliminary and final antidumping actions. These reports are available and may be obtained electronically from the WTO Secretariat by government representatives.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144668<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2013/wto2013_3450.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>MEXICO CITY, MEXICO   (December 11, 2014)   Yesterday, the Government of Mexico (GOM) announced a re-imposition of a 20 percent duty on Asian rice to begin on vessels arriving after January 10, 2015. The GOM removed the long-standing duty on grains from all origins back in 2008 as a way to reduce the price of basic commodities to its population. With cheap prices and zeroduty, Asian rice began to enter Mexico, and by 2013 and 2014 imports had skyrocketed, cutting into the traditional U.S. market for paddy and milled rice. The U.S. market share for milled rice, once more than 95 percent has fallen this year to 34 percent. Vietnam and Thailand are the primary origins making inroads today.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2013/wto2013_3450.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>MEXICO CITY, MEXICO   (December 11, 2014)   Yesterday, the Government of Mexico (GOM) announced a re-imposition of a 20 percent duty on Asian rice to begin on vessels arriving after January 10, 2015. The GOM removed the long-standing duty on grains from all origins back in 2008 as a way to reduce the price of basic commodities to its population. With cheap prices and zeroduty, Asian rice began to enter Mexico, and by 2013 and 2014 imports had skyrocketed, cutting into the traditional U.S. market for paddy and milled rice. The U.S. market share for milled rice, once more than 95 percent has fallen this year to 34 percent. Vietnam and Thailand are the primary origins making inroads today.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144679<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3461.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>When FY 2014 began, my hope was that I would be able to announce in our annual report that Congress had put into place a long-term reauthorization of Ex-Im Bank—one that would deliver five years of certainty and confidence to U.S. exporters and their employees. Regrettably, I can’t do that. I can say that we’ve made some progress: Congress has extended our charter until June of 2015, and I’m optimistic that we’ll be able to work out a long-term, bipartisan solution. As a former businessman, I know that exporters large and small need more than month-to-month solutions in order to win deals, invest in innovation, and add new jobs locally. There’s more than enough uncertainty out there when you’re running a business without having to worry about the availability of financing.</p>  <p>The conversation surrounding Ex-Im Bank’s reauthorization has meant that we’ve had more public attention this year than ever before—and a positive side effect has been that more American small businesses have had the opportunity to learn about how Ex-Im Bank tools can empower them to reach global markets and add local jobs.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3461.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>When FY 2014 began, my hope was that I would be able to announce in our annual report that Congress had put into place a long-term reauthorization of Ex-Im Bank—one that would deliver five years of certainty and confidence to U.S. exporters and their employees. Regrettably, I can’t do that. I can say that we’ve made some progress: Congress has extended our charter until June of 2015, and I’m optimistic that we’ll be able to work out a long-term, bipartisan solution. As a former businessman, I know that exporters large and small need more than month-to-month solutions in order to win deals, invest in innovation, and add new jobs locally. There’s more than enough uncertainty out there when you’re running a business without having to worry about the availability of financing.</p>  <p>The conversation surrounding Ex-Im Bank’s reauthorization has meant that we’ve had more public attention this year than ever before—and a positive side effect has been that more American small businesses have had the opportunity to learn about how Ex-Im Bank tools can empower them to reach global markets and add local jobs.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144692<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3474.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Listed hereunder are reports under Article 25.11 of the Agreement received during November 2014. These reports have been received from Australia; Ukraine and United States and are available in the WTO Secretariat for inspection by government representatives.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3474.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Listed hereunder are reports under Article 25.11 of the Agreement received during November 2014. These reports have been received from Australia; Ukraine and United States and are available in the WTO Secretariat for inspection by government representatives.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144694<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3476.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>SUMMARY: In accordance with relevant provisions of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice of its determination of the trade surplus in certain sugar and syrup goods and sugarcontaining products of Chile, Morocco, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, Colombia, and Panama. As described below, the level of a country’s trade surplus in these goods relates to the quantity of sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products for which the United States grants preferential tariff treatment under (i) the United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement (Chile FTA); (ii) the United States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (Morocco FTA); (iii) the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR); (iv) the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (Peru TPA); (v) the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (Colombia TPA), and (vi) the United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement (Panama TPA).</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3476.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>SUMMARY: In accordance with relevant provisions of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice of its determination of the trade surplus in certain sugar and syrup goods and sugarcontaining products of Chile, Morocco, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, Colombia, and Panama. As described below, the level of a country’s trade surplus in these goods relates to the quantity of sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products for which the United States grants preferential tariff treatment under (i) the United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement (Chile FTA); (ii) the United States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (Morocco FTA); (iii) the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR); (iv) the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (Peru TPA); (v) the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (Colombia TPA), and (vi) the United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement (Panama TPA).</p>  -->Entity ID - 144695<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3477.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The new year will bring a new American Congress, and with it, the opportunity to continue our work to build a stronger economy and secure a better future for our country. In that spirit, it is my honor to invite you to address a Joint Session of Congress on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 so that you may fulfill your duty under the Constitution to report on the state of the union and recommend measures for our consideration. Your report will inform our efforts to address the people's priorities.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3477.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The new year will bring a new American Congress, and with it, the opportunity to continue our work to build a stronger economy and secure a better future for our country. In that spirit, it is my honor to invite you to address a Joint Session of Congress on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 so that you may fulfill your duty under the Constitution to report on the state of the union and recommend measures for our consideration. Your report will inform our efforts to address the people's priorities.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144696<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3478.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA) is organizing a trade mission to Central America, in conjunction with the Trade Americas - Opportunities in Central America Conference in Guatemala June 21-26, 2015. U.S. trade mission delegation participants will arrive in Guatemala on or before June 21 to attend the networking reception to open the Trade Americas - Opportunities in Central America Conference. Trade mission participants will attend the Conference on June 22. Following the morning session of the conference, trade mission participants will participate in one-on-one consultations with U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (US&amp;FCS) Commercial Officers and/or Economic/Commercial Officers from the following U.S. Embassies in the region: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, and Nicaragua. The following day, June 23, trade mission participants will engage in business to business appointments with companies in Guatemala. A limited number of trade mission participants will then travel to either, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Belize, or Nicaragua (choosing only one market) for optional additional business-to-business appointments. Each business to business appointment will be with a pre-screened potential buyer, agent, distributor or joint-venture partner.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3478.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA) is organizing a trade mission to Central America, in conjunction with the Trade Americas - Opportunities in Central America Conference in Guatemala June 21-26, 2015. U.S. trade mission delegation participants will arrive in Guatemala on or before June 21 to attend the networking reception to open the Trade Americas - Opportunities in Central America Conference. Trade mission participants will attend the Conference on June 22. Following the morning session of the conference, trade mission participants will participate in one-on-one consultations with U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (US&amp;FCS) Commercial Officers and/or Economic/Commercial Officers from the following U.S. Embassies in the region: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, and Nicaragua. The following day, June 23, trade mission participants will engage in business to business appointments with companies in Guatemala. A limited number of trade mission participants will then travel to either, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Belize, or Nicaragua (choosing only one market) for optional additional business-to-business appointments. Each business to business appointment will be with a pre-screened potential buyer, agent, distributor or joint-venture partner.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144697<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3479.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Another Year of Record-Breaking Exports: U.S. exports of goods and services through the third quarter of 2014 have increased by 3 percent from 2013, putting us on pace for a fifth consecutive year of record exports. Industries driving this growth include automotive vehicles and parts, petroleum products, and consumer goods as well as services exports, such as travel and tourism and financial services. The services export surplus continued to widen in 2014 to more than $176 billion through the first three quarters, up from $168.6 billion through the similar period in 2013. The Made in Rural America Initiative Leads to a Boost in Small Rural Manufacturing Exports and Other Companies: U.S. agricultural exports reached a record $152.5 billion in fiscal year 2014, surpassing last year’s $144 billion. President Obama’s Made in Rural America Initiative, launched in February, convened a summer “Rural Opportunity Investment” conference and hosted six major regional forums and other rural-focused events, providing enhanced export-related assistance and information to more than 1,000 attendees.</p>  <p>Intensifying and Broadening Our Export Promotion: In April, the Administration unveiled plans to open new Foreign Commercial Service offices in Angola, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Tunisia, China, and Burma – expanding the Commerce Department’s presence in 78 countries worldwide. The Commerce Department led and certified about 640 companies on 47 trade missions in 2014, up from 490 companies on 44 missions in 2013.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3479.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Another Year of Record-Breaking Exports: U.S. exports of goods and services through the third quarter of 2014 have increased by 3 percent from 2013, putting us on pace for a fifth consecutive year of record exports. Industries driving this growth include automotive vehicles and parts, petroleum products, and consumer goods as well as services exports, such as travel and tourism and financial services. The services export surplus continued to widen in 2014 to more than $176 billion through the first three quarters, up from $168.6 billion through the similar period in 2013. The Made in Rural America Initiative Leads to a Boost in Small Rural Manufacturing Exports and Other Companies: U.S. agricultural exports reached a record $152.5 billion in fiscal year 2014, surpassing last year’s $144 billion. President Obama’s Made in Rural America Initiative, launched in February, convened a summer “Rural Opportunity Investment” conference and hosted six major regional forums and other rural-focused events, providing enhanced export-related assistance and information to more than 1,000 attendees.</p>  <p>Intensifying and Broadening Our Export Promotion: In April, the Administration unveiled plans to open new Foreign Commercial Service offices in Angola, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Tunisia, China, and Burma – expanding the Commerce Department’s presence in 78 countries worldwide. The Commerce Department led and certified about 640 companies on 47 trade missions in 2014, up from 490 companies on 44 missions in 2013.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144699<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3481.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>"Hiring Marty Paone is a very wise move and a credit to the strong leadership of Katie Fallon. No one knows the Senate better than Marty, who started his career parking cars here and rose to be one of the most senior and widely-respected aides in the Senate. I have known Marty for decades and he knows this chamber through and through, on both sides of the aisle. One of Marty's strongest and longest-standing relationships is with the Democratic Secretary, Gary Myrick, on whose counsel I rely on a daily basis. Marty will be an enormous asset to President Obama in the coming years as a tough but fair and widely trusted negotiator.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3481.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>"Hiring Marty Paone is a very wise move and a credit to the strong leadership of Katie Fallon. No one knows the Senate better than Marty, who started his career parking cars here and rose to be one of the most senior and widely-respected aides in the Senate. I have known Marty for decades and he knows this chamber through and through, on both sides of the aisle. One of Marty's strongest and longest-standing relationships is with the Democratic Secretary, Gary Myrick, on whose counsel I rely on a daily basis. Marty will be an enormous asset to President Obama in the coming years as a tough but fair and widely trusted negotiator.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144704<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3486.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>WTO members expressed their commitment to meet the July 2015 deadline for outlining a work programme on completing the Doha Round, in an informal meeting on trade and environment on 17 December 2014. However, they indicated that progress in this area will depend on the level of progress in some other areas of negotiation. WTO trade and environment negotiators resumed their discussions on 17 December following the breakthrough achieved at the General Council meeting on 27 November 2014. At this meeting, WTO members agreed to set July 2015 as the new deadline for agreeing a work programme for completing the Doha Round of negotiations as a whole. “This leaves us with only limited time to define our contribution to the work programme," warned Ambassador Ruamraksa of Thailand, who chairs the environment negotiations taking place in “special sessions” of the Trade and Environment Committee. The purpose of this informal meeting was to hear WTO members' initial views on ways to move the negotiations forward, keeping in mind that 2015 will be a significant year for the environment. The next United Nations Climate Change Conference will be held in Paris in November. Also, work will continue on integrating the proposed Sustainable Development Goals into the post-2015 development agenda. "It would be important for the WTO to send an appropriate signal on this matter," said Ambassador Ruamraksa.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3486.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>WTO members expressed their commitment to meet the July 2015 deadline for outlining a work programme on completing the Doha Round, in an informal meeting on trade and environment on 17 December 2014. However, they indicated that progress in this area will depend on the level of progress in some other areas of negotiation. WTO trade and environment negotiators resumed their discussions on 17 December following the breakthrough achieved at the General Council meeting on 27 November 2014. At this meeting, WTO members agreed to set July 2015 as the new deadline for agreeing a work programme for completing the Doha Round of negotiations as a whole. “This leaves us with only limited time to define our contribution to the work programme," warned Ambassador Ruamraksa of Thailand, who chairs the environment negotiations taking place in “special sessions” of the Trade and Environment Committee. The purpose of this informal meeting was to hear WTO members' initial views on ways to move the negotiations forward, keeping in mind that 2015 will be a significant year for the environment. The next United Nations Climate Change Conference will be held in Paris in November. Also, work will continue on integrating the proposed Sustainable Development Goals into the post-2015 development agenda. "It would be important for the WTO to send an appropriate signal on this matter," said Ambassador Ruamraksa.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144709<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3491.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Summary of the Ninth Round of Negotiations for the Japan-Colombia Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) From December 15 to 19, the Ninth Round of Negotiations for the Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and Colombia was held in Tokyo, Japan. From December 15 to 19, the Ninth Round of Negotiations for the Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and Colombia was held in Tokyo, Japan. From the Japanese side, Mr. Toshiro Suzuki, Ambassador for International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nobuaki Ito, Deputy Director-General for International Trade Policy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and representatives from relevant ministries attended the meeting. From the Colombian side, Mr. Abdul Fatat Romero, Negotiator, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, who led the delegation on behalf of Mr. Gamboa, Chief Negotiator, who could not attend suddenly due to affairs of home country, and representatives from relevant ministries and agencies participated. In this round of negotiations, progress has been achieved in such areas as Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, Intellectual Property, Government Procurement, Rules of Origin and Electric Commerce, among others. Both sides decided to work on scheduling the dates of the tenth round of negotiations through diplomatic channels.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3491.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Summary of the Ninth Round of Negotiations for the Japan-Colombia Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) From December 15 to 19, the Ninth Round of Negotiations for the Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and Colombia was held in Tokyo, Japan. From December 15 to 19, the Ninth Round of Negotiations for the Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and Colombia was held in Tokyo, Japan. From the Japanese side, Mr. Toshiro Suzuki, Ambassador for International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nobuaki Ito, Deputy Director-General for International Trade Policy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and representatives from relevant ministries attended the meeting. From the Colombian side, Mr. Abdul Fatat Romero, Negotiator, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, who led the delegation on behalf of Mr. Gamboa, Chief Negotiator, who could not attend suddenly due to affairs of home country, and representatives from relevant ministries and agencies participated. In this round of negotiations, progress has been achieved in such areas as Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, Intellectual Property, Government Procurement, Rules of Origin and Electric Commerce, among others. Both sides decided to work on scheduling the dates of the tenth round of negotiations through diplomatic channels.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144710<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3492.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 2014 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the appointment of members to the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) for the 20142016 term. Established in 1971, the 19 member NACMPI meets on food safety concerns and advises the Secretary of Agriculture on matters affecting federal and state inspection program activities. It also contributes to USDA's regulatory policy development.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3492.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 2014 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the appointment of members to the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) for the 20142016 term. Established in 1971, the 19 member NACMPI meets on food safety concerns and advises the Secretary of Agriculture on matters affecting federal and state inspection program activities. It also contributes to USDA's regulatory policy development.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144713<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3495.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Streamlining the Export/Import Process for America’s Businesses: Today, businesses must submit information to dozens of government agencies, often on paper, sometimes waiting on a permit or other approvals for days to move goods across the border. The International Trade Data System (ITDS) will allow businesses to electronically transmit the data required to import or export cargo. Through pilots, the ITDS has demonstrated it can shave 33 percent of processing time for trucks crossing the border and save individual exporters in the pilots nearly $1 million a year in printing costs alone. o Accelerating ITDS Implementation to the End of 2016: President Obama signed an Executive Order in February requiring the completion of the ITDS by December 2016. By ensuring the timely completion of the ITDS, the Executive Order will cut processing and approval times from days to minutes for businesses that export American-made goods and services.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3495.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Streamlining the Export/Import Process for America’s Businesses: Today, businesses must submit information to dozens of government agencies, often on paper, sometimes waiting on a permit or other approvals for days to move goods across the border. The International Trade Data System (ITDS) will allow businesses to electronically transmit the data required to import or export cargo. Through pilots, the ITDS has demonstrated it can shave 33 percent of processing time for trucks crossing the border and save individual exporters in the pilots nearly $1 million a year in printing costs alone. o Accelerating ITDS Implementation to the End of 2016: President Obama signed an Executive Order in February requiring the completion of the ITDS by December 2016. By ensuring the timely completion of the ITDS, the Executive Order will cut processing and approval times from days to minutes for businesses that export American-made goods and services.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144717<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3499.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>SEATTLE - Travelers originating in or transiting through British Columbia, Canada, before entering the United States should be aware that due to a confirmed outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has notified U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of immediate restrictions on the importation of certain bird and poultry products and live birds from a control zone in southern British Columbia. All of the Canadian Province of British Columbia south of Highway 16 has been designated an HPAI control zone (control zone.) The HPAI restrictions apply to goods originating in or transiting through the control zone before entering the United States.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3499.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>SEATTLE - Travelers originating in or transiting through British Columbia, Canada, before entering the United States should be aware that due to a confirmed outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has notified U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of immediate restrictions on the importation of certain bird and poultry products and live birds from a control zone in southern British Columbia. All of the Canadian Province of British Columbia south of Highway 16 has been designated an HPAI control zone (control zone.) The HPAI restrictions apply to goods originating in or transiting through the control zone before entering the United States.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144718<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3500.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The United States Patent and Trademark Office hosted its annual Intellectual Property (IP) Attaché consultations at its Alexandria, Va. headquarters during the week of December 15. Each year since 2007, participants from the USPTO and other government agencies, organizations, associations, and universities attend the event to exchange information about international IP issues and the work of</p>  USPTO’s IP attachés. The consultations provide a platform for all 11 IP attachés to share their accomplishments, participate in briefings on patent, trademark, and copyright developments in the United States, and collaborate with other organizations, stakeholders, and foreign IP attachés. The consultations enable information exchange and coordination with U.S. stakeholders, with a goal of improving IP protection and enforcement abroad.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3500.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The United States Patent and Trademark Office hosted its annual Intellectual Property (IP) Attaché consultations at its Alexandria, Va. headquarters during the week of December 15. Each year since 2007, participants from the USPTO and other government agencies, organizations, associations, and universities attend the event to exchange information about international IP issues and the work of</p>  USPTO’s IP attachés. The consultations provide a platform for all 11 IP attachés to share their accomplishments, participate in briefings on patent, trademark, and copyright developments in the United States, and collaborate with other organizations, stakeholders, and foreign IP attachés. The consultations enable information exchange and coordination with U.S. stakeholders, with a goal of improving IP protection and enforcement abroad.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144719<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3501.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Beijing was also active on the trade front. After years of negotiations, it concluded landmark free trade agreements with Korea and Australia. As host of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) in November, Beijing appropriated an earlier U.S. initiative by proposing formal negotiations toward a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). China capped off a year of active economic diplomacy at the annual G20 summit in Brisbane by edging out Japan to win hosting rights for the 2016 gathering of world economic leaders. to complete a Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, which would burnish U.S. credentials as a champion of the rules-based economic order. Accomplishing these two critical objectives should be the highest priorities for Obama’s international economic policy in 2015.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3501.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Beijing was also active on the trade front. After years of negotiations, it concluded landmark free trade agreements with Korea and Australia. As host of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) in November, Beijing appropriated an earlier U.S. initiative by proposing formal negotiations toward a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). China capped off a year of active economic diplomacy at the annual G20 summit in Brisbane by edging out Japan to win hosting rights for the 2016 gathering of world economic leaders. to complete a Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, which would burnish U.S. credentials as a champion of the rules-based economic order. Accomplishing these two critical objectives should be the highest priorities for Obama’s international economic policy in 2015.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144720<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3502.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Several measures have been outlined in the Union Budget 201415 that aim at reviving and accelerating investment which, inter alia, include fiscal consolidation with emphasis on expenditure reforms and continuation of fiscal reforms with rationalization of tax structure; fillip to industry and infrastructure, fiscal incentives and concrete measures for transport, power, and other urban and rural infrastructure; measures for promotion of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in selected sectors, including defence manufacturing and insurance; and, steps to augment low cost longterm foreign borrowings by Indian companies. Fiscal reforms have been bolstered further by the recent deregulation of diesel prices. The launch of ‘Make in India’ global initiative is intended to invite both domestic and foreign investors to invest in India. The aim of the programme is to project India as an investment destination and develop, promote and market India as a leading manufacturing destination and as a hub for design and information. The programme further aims to radically improve the Ease of Doing Business, open FDI regime, improve the quality of infrastructure and make India a globally competitive manufacturing destination.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3502.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Several measures have been outlined in the Union Budget 201415 that aim at reviving and accelerating investment which, inter alia, include fiscal consolidation with emphasis on expenditure reforms and continuation of fiscal reforms with rationalization of tax structure; fillip to industry and infrastructure, fiscal incentives and concrete measures for transport, power, and other urban and rural infrastructure; measures for promotion of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in selected sectors, including defence manufacturing and insurance; and, steps to augment low cost longterm foreign borrowings by Indian companies. Fiscal reforms have been bolstered further by the recent deregulation of diesel prices. The launch of ‘Make in India’ global initiative is intended to invite both domestic and foreign investors to invest in India. The aim of the programme is to project India as an investment destination and develop, promote and market India as a leading manufacturing destination and as a hub for design and information. The programme further aims to radically improve the Ease of Doing Business, open FDI regime, improve the quality of infrastructure and make India a globally competitive manufacturing destination.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144725<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3507.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today gave its approval to amend the existing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy in the Pharmaceutical Sector to create carve out for medical devices.</p>  <p>As per the extant FDI policy for pharmaceuticals sector, FDI up to 100% is permitted subject to specified conditions. While FDI for green-field projects is under automatic route, brown-field projects are placed under government route. The Policy on the pharmaceutical sector covers `medical devices` since this area is not separately covered.</p>  <p>Since medical devices are part of the Drugs &amp; Cosmetics Act, 1940 and fall under the Pharmaceutical sector, all the conditions of the FDI policy on the sector, including the condition relating to `non-compete clause`, apply on brownfield investment proposals of medical devices industry. As per National Industrial Classification (NIC) Code 2008, sector code of `Manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical, and botanical products` is 2100 while sector code of `Manufacture of medical and dental instruments and supplies` is 3250. Medical devices will fall under the category of `medical and dental instruments and supplies`. Therefore, drugs and pharmaceuticals and medical devices are two different industrial activities. The condition of `non-compete` was imposed so that the Indian manufacturers can continue manufacturing generic drugs and catering to the needs of the large number of people in the country and in other developing countries who cannot afford branded and patented drugs. This condition is not relevant to `medical devices` industry of the country where the country is substantially import dependent and the sector is adversely impacted because of the lack of adequate capital and required technology</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3507.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today gave its approval to amend the existing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy in the Pharmaceutical Sector to create carve out for medical devices.</p>  <p>As per the extant FDI policy for pharmaceuticals sector, FDI up to 100% is permitted subject to specified conditions. While FDI for green-field projects is under automatic route, brown-field projects are placed under government route. The Policy on the pharmaceutical sector covers `medical devices` since this area is not separately covered.</p>  <p>Since medical devices are part of the Drugs &amp; Cosmetics Act, 1940 and fall under the Pharmaceutical sector, all the conditions of the FDI policy on the sector, including the condition relating to `non-compete clause`, apply on brownfield investment proposals of medical devices industry. As per National Industrial Classification (NIC) Code 2008, sector code of `Manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical, and botanical products` is 2100 while sector code of `Manufacture of medical and dental instruments and supplies` is 3250. Medical devices will fall under the category of `medical and dental instruments and supplies`. Therefore, drugs and pharmaceuticals and medical devices are two different industrial activities. The condition of `non-compete` was imposed so that the Indian manufacturers can continue manufacturing generic drugs and catering to the needs of the large number of people in the country and in other developing countries who cannot afford branded and patented drugs. This condition is not relevant to `medical devices` industry of the country where the country is substantially import dependent and the sector is adversely impacted because of the lack of adequate capital and required technology</p>  -->Entity ID - 144727<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3509.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>On November 10, 2014, President Obama reaffirmed his commitment to a free and open Internet and called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to “implement the strongest possible rules to protect net neutrality.”1 The President was primarily addressing the No Commercially Unreasonable Practices section of the May 2014 <em>Proposed Rules for Promoting and Protecting an Open Internet</em>, which, if adopted, would authorize broadband providers to give differentiated treatment to Internet traffic, thereby undermining net neutrality in the United States. That much is common knowledge.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3509.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>On November 10, 2014, President Obama reaffirmed his commitment to a free and open Internet and called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to “implement the strongest possible rules to protect net neutrality.”1 The President was primarily addressing the No Commercially Unreasonable Practices section of the May 2014 <em>Proposed Rules for Promoting and Protecting an Open Internet</em>, which, if adopted, would authorize broadband providers to give differentiated treatment to Internet traffic, thereby undermining net neutrality in the United States. That much is common knowledge.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144732<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3514.pdf</p>  <!--  <p><strong>Notice of Open Meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Export-Import Bank of the United States</strong></p>  <p><strong>(Ex-Im Bank).</strong></p>  <p><strong>SUMMARY: </strong>The Advisory Committee was established by P.L. 98-181, November 30, 1983, to advise the Export-Import Bank on its programs and to provide comments for inclusion in the report on competitiveness of the Export-Import Bank of the United States to Congress.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3514.pdf</p>  <!--  <p><strong>Notice of Open Meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Export-Import Bank of the United States</strong></p>  <p><strong>(Ex-Im Bank).</strong></p>  <p><strong>SUMMARY: </strong>The Advisory Committee was established by P.L. 98-181, November 30, 1983, to advise the Export-Import Bank on its programs and to provide comments for inclusion in the report on competitiveness of the Export-Import Bank of the United States to Congress.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144735<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3517.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>As you have requested, this letter sets forth the context and then suggested high level reforms that we believe the Administration should initiate following the June 2010 first step in reforming and simplifying export controls on encryption items.</p>  <p>Two fundamental problems make current encryption controls quite confusing. First, the regulations reflect many different policy changes from 1996, when commercial encryption was transferred from the ITAR to the EAR, but exceptions were created wherever the EAR treatment would have been different from the ITAR. The nature of EAR crypto controls has step by step transformed from preventing exports of strong encryption items to mostly a labeling and information gathering function. There are many different labels and rules now for categories that fundamentally treat encryption items as AT only controlled, requiring licenses only for Country Group E: decontrolled low level or limited purpose encryption to 5X992, decontrolled mass market items and hardware components for them to 5X992, open source software and open object code compiled therefrom eligible for export to all but Country Group E under License Exception TSU (but still classified as 5D002) after an email notice, EAR 740.17(b)(1), (3), and (4) (so called “ENC-Unrestricted”) items eligible to be exported to any end-user in all but Country Group E under License Exception ENC, items qualifying for the Medical Note or Note 4 reclassified out of Category 5.2 entirely, mostly to EAR99 items, and others.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3517.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>As you have requested, this letter sets forth the context and then suggested high level reforms that we believe the Administration should initiate following the June 2010 first step in reforming and simplifying export controls on encryption items.</p>  <p>Two fundamental problems make current encryption controls quite confusing. First, the regulations reflect many different policy changes from 1996, when commercial encryption was transferred from the ITAR to the EAR, but exceptions were created wherever the EAR treatment would have been different from the ITAR. The nature of EAR crypto controls has step by step transformed from preventing exports of strong encryption items to mostly a labeling and information gathering function. There are many different labels and rules now for categories that fundamentally treat encryption items as AT only controlled, requiring licenses only for Country Group E: decontrolled low level or limited purpose encryption to 5X992, decontrolled mass market items and hardware components for them to 5X992, open source software and open object code compiled therefrom eligible for export to all but Country Group E under License Exception TSU (but still classified as 5D002) after an email notice, EAR 740.17(b)(1), (3), and (4) (so called “ENC-Unrestricted”) items eligible to be exported to any end-user in all but Country Group E under License Exception ENC, items qualifying for the Medical Note or Note 4 reclassified out of Category 5.2 entirely, mostly to EAR99 items, and others.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144738<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3519.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.</p>  <p>SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (“the Department”) is amending the preliminary determination of the less-than-fair-value investigation of 53-foot domestic dry containers from the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) to correct for certain ministerial errors, as described below, in the “Supplementary Information” section of this notice. The Department corrected these errors and recalculated the weighted-average dumping margins for a mandatory respondent and the PRC-Wide entity, as described below in the “Amended Preliminary Determination” section of this notice.</p>  <p>DATES: EFFECTIVE DATE: [INSERT DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3519.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.</p>  <p>SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (“the Department”) is amending the preliminary determination of the less-than-fair-value investigation of 53-foot domestic dry containers from the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) to correct for certain ministerial errors, as described below, in the “Supplementary Information” section of this notice. The Department corrected these errors and recalculated the weighted-average dumping margins for a mandatory respondent and the PRC-Wide entity, as described below in the “Amended Preliminary Determination” section of this notice.</p>  <p>DATES: EFFECTIVE DATE: [INSERT DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].</p>  -->Entity ID - 144739<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3520.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Modification of Regulations Regarding Price Adjustments in Antidumping Duty Proceedings</p>  <p>AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.</p>  <p>ACTION: Proposed rule and request for comments.</p>  <p>SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (“the Department”) proposes to modify two regulations pertaining to price adjustments in antidumping duty proceedings and is seeking comments from parties. These modifications, if adopted, are intended to clarify that the Department generally will not consider a price adjustment that reduces or eliminates a dumping margin unless the party claiming such price adjustment demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the Department, through documentation that the terms and conditions of the adjustment were established and known to the customer at the time of sale.</p>  <p>DATES: To be assured of consideration, written comments must be received no later than [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3520.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Modification of Regulations Regarding Price Adjustments in Antidumping Duty Proceedings</p>  <p>AGENCY: Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.</p>  <p>ACTION: Proposed rule and request for comments.</p>  <p>SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (“the Department”) proposes to modify two regulations pertaining to price adjustments in antidumping duty proceedings and is seeking comments from parties. These modifications, if adopted, are intended to clarify that the Department generally will not consider a price adjustment that reduces or eliminates a dumping margin unless the party claiming such price adjustment demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the Department, through documentation that the terms and conditions of the adjustment were established and known to the customer at the time of sale.</p>  <p>DATES: To be assured of consideration, written comments must be received no later than [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].</p>  -->Entity ID - 144742<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3523.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The IPR Think Tank set up by the Government of India submitted its first Draft of the National IPR Policy on 19th December, 2014. All stakeholders are requested to send their comments and suggestions to the first Draft of the National IPR Policy <strong>on or before 30th January, 2015</strong>. The document will be updated and further modified by the IPR Think Tank on the basis of comments received from the stakeholders.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3523.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The IPR Think Tank set up by the Government of India submitted its first Draft of the National IPR Policy on 19th December, 2014. All stakeholders are requested to send their comments and suggestions to the first Draft of the National IPR Policy <strong>on or before 30th January, 2015</strong>. The document will be updated and further modified by the IPR Think Tank on the basis of comments received from the stakeholders.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144743<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3524.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>SUMMARY: On June 17, 2014, the White House released a Presidential Memorandum entitled ``Establishing a Comprehensive Framework to Combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud.'' Among other actions, the Memorandum established a Presidential Task Force on  Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood  Fraud (Task Force), co-chaired by the Departments of State and Commerce  with twelve other Federal agency members: the Council on Environmental  Quality, Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Health and Human  Services, Homeland Security, Interior, Justice, the Federal Trade  Commission, the Office of Management and Budget, the Office of Science  and Technology Policy, the U.S. Agency for International Development,  the National Security Council and the U.S. Trade Representative. The Task Force is directed to report to the President within 180 days with ``recommendations for the implementation of a comprehensive framework of integrated programs to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud that emphasizes areas of greatest need.'' Those recommendations have now been provided to the President through the National Ocean Council. This is a request for comments from the public to advise the Task Force on how to most effectively implement these recommendations. Specific questions are posed after some of the recommendations to help elicit feedback on potential implementation issues and concerns which will help inform development of an implementation plan in the months ahead.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3524.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>SUMMARY: On June 17, 2014, the White House released a Presidential Memorandum entitled ``Establishing a Comprehensive Framework to Combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud.'' Among other actions, the Memorandum established a Presidential Task Force on  Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood  Fraud (Task Force), co-chaired by the Departments of State and Commerce  with twelve other Federal agency members: the Council on Environmental  Quality, Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Health and Human  Services, Homeland Security, Interior, Justice, the Federal Trade  Commission, the Office of Management and Budget, the Office of Science  and Technology Policy, the U.S. Agency for International Development,  the National Security Council and the U.S. Trade Representative. The Task Force is directed to report to the President within 180 days with ``recommendations for the implementation of a comprehensive framework of integrated programs to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud that emphasizes areas of greatest need.'' Those recommendations have now been provided to the President through the National Ocean Council. This is a request for comments from the public to advise the Task Force on how to most effectively implement these recommendations. Specific questions are posed after some of the recommendations to help elicit feedback on potential implementation issues and concerns which will help inform development of an implementation plan in the months ahead.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144745<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3526.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Change in Tariff Value of Crude Palm Oil, RBD Palm Oil, Others – Palm Oil, Crude Palmolein, RBD Palmolein, Others – Palmolein, Crude Soyabean Oil, Brass Scrap (All Grades), Poppy Seeds, Areca Nuts, Gold and Silver Notified In exercise of the powers conferred by subsection (2) of Section 14 of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962), the Central Board of Excise &amp; Customs (CBEC), being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient so to do, hereby makes the following amendment in the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), No. 36/2001Customs (N.T.), dated the 3<sup>rd</sup> August, 2001, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, PartII, Section3, Subsection (ii), vide number S. O. 748 (E), dated the 3rd August, 2001</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3526.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Change in Tariff Value of Crude Palm Oil, RBD Palm Oil, Others – Palm Oil, Crude Palmolein, RBD Palmolein, Others – Palmolein, Crude Soyabean Oil, Brass Scrap (All Grades), Poppy Seeds, Areca Nuts, Gold and Silver Notified In exercise of the powers conferred by subsection (2) of Section 14 of the Customs Act, 1962 (52 of 1962), the Central Board of Excise &amp; Customs (CBEC), being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient so to do, hereby makes the following amendment in the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), No. 36/2001Customs (N.T.), dated the 3<sup>rd</sup> August, 2001, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, PartII, Section3, Subsection (ii), vide number S. O. 748 (E), dated the 3rd August, 2001</p>  -->Entity ID - 144746<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3527.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Department Of Industrial Policy And Promotion</p>  <p>MEASURES TO BRING INDUSTRY AND MANUFACTURING CENTRE­STAGE FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH MARKS 2014</p>  <p>In the wake of global economic slowdown persisting in 2013­14, India’s GDP growth for 2013­14 had recorded just 4.7% with industry growth at 0.4% and manufacturing growth recording a negative growth of ­0.7%. During the year several initiatives were taken to give the necessary thrust to industry, whose share in the GDP was hovering around 15%.</p>  <p>1.Ease of Doing Business.</p>  <p>Major Initiatives have been taken in 2014 for improving ‘Ease of Doing Business’ in India through simplification and rationalization of the existing rules and introduction of information technology to make governance more efficient and effective.</p>  <p>A comparative study of practices followed by the States for grant of clearance and ensuring compliances were circulated among all the states for peer evaluation and adoption, and Chief Ministers were requested to partner with DIPP in taking these initiatives forward to ease the business regulatory environment in the country. Other suggestions include filing of returns on­ line through a unified form; placing a check­list of required compliances on Department’s web portal; replacing all registers required to be maintained by the business with a single electronic register; no inspection without the approval of the Head of the Department; and introducing a system of self­certification for all non­risk, non­hazardous businesses.</p>  <p>The process of applying for Industrial License (IL) and Industrial Entrepreneur Memorandum (IEM) has been made online and this service is now available to entrepreneurs on 24x7 basis at the eBiz website. This had led to ease of filing applications and online payment of service charges.</p>  <p>A major breakthrough has been pruning the list of Defence industries which require industrial licensing. Dual use items, having military as well as civilian applications, unless classified as defence item, will also not require Industrial License from defence angle. The requirement of affidavit from applicants that they will comply with the safety &amp; security guidelines/procedures has been dispensed with.</p>  <p>After this simplification, 61 pending applications for Defence Industries have been disposed of, including granting of 43 licenses, and advising that 18 applications do not need license.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=dec2014/wto2014_3527.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Department Of Industrial Policy And Promotion</p>  <p>MEASURES TO BRING INDUSTRY AND MANUFACTURING CENTRE­STAGE FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH MARKS 2014</p>  <p>In the wake of global economic slowdown persisting in 2013­14, India’s GDP growth for 2013­14 had recorded just 4.7% with industry growth at 0.4% and manufacturing growth recording a negative growth of ­0.7%. During the year several initiatives were taken to give the necessary thrust to industry, whose share in the GDP was hovering around 15%.</p>  <p>1.Ease of Doing Business.</p>  <p>Major Initiatives have been taken in 2014 for improving ‘Ease of Doing Business’ in India through simplification and rationalization of the existing rules and introduction of information technology to make governance more efficient and effective.</p>  <p>A comparative study of practices followed by the States for grant of clearance and ensuring compliances were circulated among all the states for peer evaluation and adoption, and Chief Ministers were requested to partner with DIPP in taking these initiatives forward to ease the business regulatory environment in the country. Other suggestions include filing of returns on­ line through a unified form; placing a check­list of required compliances on Department’s web portal; replacing all registers required to be maintained by the business with a single electronic register; no inspection without the approval of the Head of the Department; and introducing a system of self­certification for all non­risk, non­hazardous businesses.</p>  <p>The process of applying for Industrial License (IL) and Industrial Entrepreneur Memorandum (IEM) has been made online and this service is now available to entrepreneurs on 24x7 basis at the eBiz website. This had led to ease of filing applications and online payment of service charges.</p>  <p>A major breakthrough has been pruning the list of Defence industries which require industrial licensing. Dual use items, having military as well as civilian applications, unless classified as defence item, will also not require Industrial License from defence angle. The requirement of affidavit from applicants that they will comply with the safety &amp; security guidelines/procedures has been dispensed with.</p>  <p>After this simplification, 61 pending applications for Defence Industries have been disposed of, including granting of 43 licenses, and advising that 18 applications do not need license.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144750<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0004.pdf</p>  <!--  <p><strong>The WTO at 20 — a message from DG Azevêdo</strong></p>  <p>20 years ago, on 1 January 1995, the WTO opened its doors for business. Since then this organization, and the system of transparent, multilaterally-agreed rules that it embodies, has made a major contribution to the strength and stability of the global economy. Over the years the WTO has helped to boost trade growth, resolve numerous trade disputes and support developing countries to integrate into the trading system. It has also provided a bulwark against protectionism, the value of which was made plain in the trade policy response to the 2008 crisis, which was very calm and restrained in contrast to the protectionist panic that followed previous crises. Indeed, when the global economy is more interconnected than ever, it is difficult to imagine a world without the WTO.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0004.pdf</p>  <!--  <p><strong>The WTO at 20 — a message from DG Azevêdo</strong></p>  <p>20 years ago, on 1 January 1995, the WTO opened its doors for business. Since then this organization, and the system of transparent, multilaterally-agreed rules that it embodies, has made a major contribution to the strength and stability of the global economy. Over the years the WTO has helped to boost trade growth, resolve numerous trade disputes and support developing countries to integrate into the trading system. It has also provided a bulwark against protectionism, the value of which was made plain in the trade policy response to the 2008 crisis, which was very calm and restrained in contrast to the protectionist panic that followed previous crises. Indeed, when the global economy is more interconnected than ever, it is difficult to imagine a world without the WTO.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144753<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0007.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has made great strides in advancing President Obama’s economic agenda of creating jobs, promoting growth, and strengthening America’s middle class. In 2013, Made in America exports supported an estimated 11.3 million well paying U.S. jobs, and in 2014, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative built on record breaking exports, engagement, and trade enforcement to achieve strong results for American workers, manufacturers, service providers, workers, farmers, and ranchers. This year, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and the staff of USTR in support of President Obama’s economic agenda, worked to create economic opportunity for American workers, farmers, and businesses by eliminating barriers to U.S. exports, trade, and investment. We forged ahead on the TransPacific Partnership, a stateofthe art trade agreement that will guarantee Americans access to the rapidly growing economies of the Asia Pacific and raise labor, environmental, and other vital standards across the region – leveling the playing field for American workers and firms. The United States and the European Union also took a renewed approach to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, which will strengthen our economic relationship with Europe – growing a relationship that will boost economic growth and add to the more than 13 million American and EU jobs already supported by transatlantic trade and investment. What’s more, this year, under President Obama’s leadership, the United States played a critical role in realizing the firstever fully multilateral trade agreement in the history of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). This deal will substantially lower the costs of trading across borders, and is projected to grow global GDP by hundreds of billions of dollars – delivering for the American economy and for our trading partners.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0007.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has made great strides in advancing President Obama’s economic agenda of creating jobs, promoting growth, and strengthening America’s middle class. In 2013, Made in America exports supported an estimated 11.3 million well paying U.S. jobs, and in 2014, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative built on record breaking exports, engagement, and trade enforcement to achieve strong results for American workers, manufacturers, service providers, workers, farmers, and ranchers. This year, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and the staff of USTR in support of President Obama’s economic agenda, worked to create economic opportunity for American workers, farmers, and businesses by eliminating barriers to U.S. exports, trade, and investment. We forged ahead on the TransPacific Partnership, a stateofthe art trade agreement that will guarantee Americans access to the rapidly growing economies of the Asia Pacific and raise labor, environmental, and other vital standards across the region – leveling the playing field for American workers and firms. The United States and the European Union also took a renewed approach to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, which will strengthen our economic relationship with Europe – growing a relationship that will boost economic growth and add to the more than 13 million American and EU jobs already supported by transatlantic trade and investment. What’s more, this year, under President Obama’s leadership, the United States played a critical role in realizing the firstever fully multilateral trade agreement in the history of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). This deal will substantially lower the costs of trading across borders, and is projected to grow global GDP by hundreds of billions of dollars – delivering for the American economy and for our trading partners.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144755<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0009.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The year 2015 will be a year of landmark significance for world peace and development. The international community will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the world Antifascist War and jointly adopt a post-2015 development agenda. We will actively practice a distinctive diplomatic approach befitting China's role as a major country and blaze a new trail of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics that leads to win-win cooperation for everyone. We will work to win the understanding and support of the world for the Chinese dream, and make more countries recognize, understand, accept and welcome China's development and rejuvenation. We will explore a new type of international relations with win-win cooperation at its core, and a healthy and stable framework of major-country relations. We will continue to follow the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in conducting neighborhood diplomacy and build a community of shared interests and common destiny. We will uphold justice and pursue shared interests, and forge a closer link between China's development and the common development of developing countries. We will firmly uphold world peace and development. We will work for a post-2015 development agenda and post-2020 emission reduction formula that serve the interests of all developing countries to make new contribution to the common and sustainable development of mankind. We will continue to advance the building of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and ensure that various bilateral and regional cooperation arrangements are inclusive and mutually reinforcing. We will earnestly honor our mission of people-oriented diplomacy, improve the livelihood of Chinese people living overseas, give full play to the Global Emergency Call Center for Consular Protection and Services, and ensure that our fellow citizens can receive help through this "green channel" whenever and wherever they need help.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0009.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The year 2015 will be a year of landmark significance for world peace and development. The international community will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the world Antifascist War and jointly adopt a post-2015 development agenda. We will actively practice a distinctive diplomatic approach befitting China's role as a major country and blaze a new trail of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics that leads to win-win cooperation for everyone. We will work to win the understanding and support of the world for the Chinese dream, and make more countries recognize, understand, accept and welcome China's development and rejuvenation. We will explore a new type of international relations with win-win cooperation at its core, and a healthy and stable framework of major-country relations. We will continue to follow the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in conducting neighborhood diplomacy and build a community of shared interests and common destiny. We will uphold justice and pursue shared interests, and forge a closer link between China's development and the common development of developing countries. We will firmly uphold world peace and development. We will work for a post-2015 development agenda and post-2020 emission reduction formula that serve the interests of all developing countries to make new contribution to the common and sustainable development of mankind. We will continue to advance the building of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and ensure that various bilateral and regional cooperation arrangements are inclusive and mutually reinforcing. We will earnestly honor our mission of people-oriented diplomacy, improve the livelihood of Chinese people living overseas, give full play to the Global Emergency Call Center for Consular Protection and Services, and ensure that our fellow citizens can receive help through this "green channel" whenever and wherever they need help.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144759<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0013.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Happy New Year, everyone. I’m Congressman Rodney Davis from the great state of Illinois. I’m honored to be speaking with you from Springfield, the home and resting place of one of our greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln. On Tuesday, we begin a new Congress, and that means a new start on the people’s business. If we work together, we have a great opportunity to grow our economy and put our nation on solid footing for a bright future. That’s why the House will start off with jobs bills that have bipartisan support but were never considered by a Democratic-run Senate. One of those initiatives is a bill I’ve sponsored called the Hire More Heroes Act. What this bill does: it makes a commonsense change to the president’s health care law that will encourage small businesses to hire more of our nation’s veterans. You see, one problem with the health care law – one of many – is that because of its costs and mandates, small businesses face higher costs and have to hold off on hiring. When small businesses – the engine of our economy – can’t hire, we can’t move forward. That’s where the Hire More Heroes Act comes in. This bill exempts veterans already enrolled in healthcare plans through the Department of Defense or the VA from being counted toward the employee limit under the health care law. So not only are we providing small businesses – and our economy – with much-needed relief, but we’re also helping more of our veterans find work. Because despite receiving the best training in the world, post-9/11 veterans are consistently faced with higher unemployment rates than that of other veterans. As more and more of these men and women return home, the Hire More Heroes Act will give them a better chance in a still-tough job market. The Hire More Heroes Act is an example of the kind of bipartisan jobs bills the House will be bringing up on your behalf. In the coming days, the House will also act on legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline, and to restore the 40-hour workweek for middle class families.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0013.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Happy New Year, everyone. I’m Congressman Rodney Davis from the great state of Illinois. I’m honored to be speaking with you from Springfield, the home and resting place of one of our greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln. On Tuesday, we begin a new Congress, and that means a new start on the people’s business. If we work together, we have a great opportunity to grow our economy and put our nation on solid footing for a bright future. That’s why the House will start off with jobs bills that have bipartisan support but were never considered by a Democratic-run Senate. One of those initiatives is a bill I’ve sponsored called the Hire More Heroes Act. What this bill does: it makes a commonsense change to the president’s health care law that will encourage small businesses to hire more of our nation’s veterans. You see, one problem with the health care law – one of many – is that because of its costs and mandates, small businesses face higher costs and have to hold off on hiring. When small businesses – the engine of our economy – can’t hire, we can’t move forward. That’s where the Hire More Heroes Act comes in. This bill exempts veterans already enrolled in healthcare plans through the Department of Defense or the VA from being counted toward the employee limit under the health care law. So not only are we providing small businesses – and our economy – with much-needed relief, but we’re also helping more of our veterans find work. Because despite receiving the best training in the world, post-9/11 veterans are consistently faced with higher unemployment rates than that of other veterans. As more and more of these men and women return home, the Hire More Heroes Act will give them a better chance in a still-tough job market. The Hire More Heroes Act is an example of the kind of bipartisan jobs bills the House will be bringing up on your behalf. In the coming days, the House will also act on legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline, and to restore the 40-hour workweek for middle class families.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144763<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0017.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 of 5 May 2009 setting up a Community regime for the control of exports, transfer, brokering and transit of dual-use items (1) and in particular Article 15(3) thereof, Whereas: (1) Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 requires dual-use items to be subject to effective control when they are exported from or transit through the Union, or are delivered to a third country as a result of brokering services provided by a broker resident or established in the Union. (2)Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 establishes the common list of dual-use items that are subject to controls in the Union. Decisions on the items subject to controls are taken within the framework of the Australia Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Chemical Weapons Convention. (3) The list of dual-use items set out in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 needs to be updated regularly so as to ensure full compliance with international security obligations, to guarantee transparency, and to maintain the competitiveness of exporters. In order to facilitate references for export control authorities and operators, an updated and consolidated version of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 should be published. (4) Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 empowers the Commission to update the list of dual-use items set out in Annex I by means of delegated acts, in conformity with the relevant obligations and commitments, and any modifications thereto, that Member States have accepted as members of the international non-proliferation regimes and export control arrangements, or by ratification of relevant international treaties. (5) Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 should therefore be amended accordingly,</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0017.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 of 5 May 2009 setting up a Community regime for the control of exports, transfer, brokering and transit of dual-use items (1) and in particular Article 15(3) thereof, Whereas: (1) Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 requires dual-use items to be subject to effective control when they are exported from or transit through the Union, or are delivered to a third country as a result of brokering services provided by a broker resident or established in the Union. (2)Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 establishes the common list of dual-use items that are subject to controls in the Union. Decisions on the items subject to controls are taken within the framework of the Australia Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Chemical Weapons Convention. (3) The list of dual-use items set out in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 needs to be updated regularly so as to ensure full compliance with international security obligations, to guarantee transparency, and to maintain the competitiveness of exporters. In order to facilitate references for export control authorities and operators, an updated and consolidated version of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 should be published. (4) Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 empowers the Commission to update the list of dual-use items set out in Annex I by means of delegated acts, in conformity with the relevant obligations and commitments, and any modifications thereto, that Member States have accepted as members of the international non-proliferation regimes and export control arrangements, or by ratification of relevant international treaties. (5) Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 should therefore be amended accordingly,</p>  -->Entity ID - 144764<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0018.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>On Monday, the EU and Member States' flags were flown outside the National Library of Latvia (LNB) at a ceremony marking the start of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The building known as the "Castle of Light" is the main venue in Riga for Presidency events and will be recognised throughout Europe as one of the symbols of the Presidency. The Parliamentary State Secretary for EU Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, LNB Director, Andris Vilks, and the Director of the Secretariat of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Kristīne Pommere, also attended the flag-hoisting ceremony. The ceremony symbolically announced that the building is fully equipped for the Presidency and ready to welcome its guests after the extensive reorganisation carried out in December. As Mr Vilks stressed, it is very important that the normal work of the library continues during these six months. The LNB is the first national library to be chosen as a presidency venue in any Member State. Three floors of the library are devoted to the Presidency and the premises are equipped with everything necessary to host the events. A modern and spacious Media Centre has also been set up in the LNB to provide support to the Latvian and international media reporting on the Presidency events.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0018.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>On Monday, the EU and Member States' flags were flown outside the National Library of Latvia (LNB) at a ceremony marking the start of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The building known as the "Castle of Light" is the main venue in Riga for Presidency events and will be recognised throughout Europe as one of the symbols of the Presidency. The Parliamentary State Secretary for EU Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, LNB Director, Andris Vilks, and the Director of the Secretariat of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Kristīne Pommere, also attended the flag-hoisting ceremony. The ceremony symbolically announced that the building is fully equipped for the Presidency and ready to welcome its guests after the extensive reorganisation carried out in December. As Mr Vilks stressed, it is very important that the normal work of the library continues during these six months. The LNB is the first national library to be chosen as a presidency venue in any Member State. Three floors of the library are devoted to the Presidency and the premises are equipped with everything necessary to host the events. A modern and spacious Media Centre has also been set up in the LNB to provide support to the Latvian and international media reporting on the Presidency events.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144772<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0026.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>the persistence of employer-dominated unions is due in part to a system of labor boards that lack accountability and transparecny and are open to corruption. The ilo has reaised serioius concerns about the impact of protection contracts on freedom of association. These issues are also well documented in the public reports of numerous cases brought against mexico under the nafta labor side agreement which unfortunately provides no effective remedy for the systematic violations of mexican workers' rights. Mexico must eliminate the corrupt system as a party to the trans-pacific partnership negotiations must demand mexico implement changes labor chapter</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0026.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>the persistence of employer-dominated unions is due in part to a system of labor boards that lack accountability and transparecny and are open to corruption. The ilo has reaised serioius concerns about the impact of protection contracts on freedom of association. These issues are also well documented in the public reports of numerous cases brought against mexico under the nafta labor side agreement which unfortunately provides no effective remedy for the systematic violations of mexican workers' rights. Mexico must eliminate the corrupt system as a party to the trans-pacific partnership negotiations must demand mexico implement changes labor chapter</p>  -->Entity ID - 144775<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0029.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>On August 7, 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree banning a list of agricultural products from the United States, Canada, European Union, Australia, and Norway as a result of the implementation of economic sanctions against Russia due to events in the region. Lack of raw materials pushed the manufacturers to switch to alternative foreign suppliers or substitute the traditional ingredients by locally produced raw materials. The food processing sector has garnered special attention by the Russian Government which implements special supporting programs to improve the efficiency of enterprises, provide diversification of production and improve the competitiveness of manufactured products. In 2013, the industry’s output reached 4.18 trillion rubles ($131.36 billion) with 4.2 percent increase in number of businesses and 4.5 percent growth of food production value.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0029.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>On August 7, 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree banning a list of agricultural products from the United States, Canada, European Union, Australia, and Norway as a result of the implementation of economic sanctions against Russia due to events in the region. Lack of raw materials pushed the manufacturers to switch to alternative foreign suppliers or substitute the traditional ingredients by locally produced raw materials. The food processing sector has garnered special attention by the Russian Government which implements special supporting programs to improve the efficiency of enterprises, provide diversification of production and improve the competitiveness of manufactured products. In 2013, the industry’s output reached 4.18 trillion rubles ($131.36 billion) with 4.2 percent increase in number of businesses and 4.5 percent growth of food production value.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144778<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0032.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Total retail sales including food, beverage, general merchandise, fabrics, apparel and accessories amounted to 68.516 trillion yen in 2013. Of this figure the total food and beverage retail sales amount was 44.516 trillion yen. The Japanese retail food industry in 2013 experienced growth in large and conventional supermarkets and convenience stores.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0032.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Total retail sales including food, beverage, general merchandise, fabrics, apparel and accessories amounted to 68.516 trillion yen in 2013. Of this figure the total food and beverage retail sales amount was 44.516 trillion yen. The Japanese retail food industry in 2013 experienced growth in large and conventional supermarkets and convenience stores.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144782<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0036.pdf</p>  <!--  <p><strong>Washington</strong> – Business Roundtable, representing CEOs of major U.S. companies operating in every sector of the economy, today announced that Thomas Linebarger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cummins Inc., will chair its International Engagement Committee effective immediately. “Open markets for international trade and investment are essential for supporting U.S. economic growth and jobs,” said Randall Stephenson, Chairman and CEO of AT&amp;T and Chairman of Business Roundtable. “As Chair of the International Engagement Committee, Tom will lead the Business Roundtable efforts in support of passing Trade Promotion Authority in 2015, reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank of the United States and promoting high-standard trade agreements with the Asia-Pacific and the European Union.”</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0036.pdf</p>  <!--  <p><strong>Washington</strong> – Business Roundtable, representing CEOs of major U.S. companies operating in every sector of the economy, today announced that Thomas Linebarger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cummins Inc., will chair its International Engagement Committee effective immediately. “Open markets for international trade and investment are essential for supporting U.S. economic growth and jobs,” said Randall Stephenson, Chairman and CEO of AT&amp;T and Chairman of Business Roundtable. “As Chair of the International Engagement Committee, Tom will lead the Business Roundtable efforts in support of passing Trade Promotion Authority in 2015, reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank of the United States and promoting high-standard trade agreements with the Asia-Pacific and the European Union.”</p>  -->Entity ID - 144797<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0051.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>With this in mind, we urge immediate enactment of legislation to renew expired and expiring trade programs, such as the Generalized System of Preferences, the African Growth and Opportunity Act, and the Nicaragua Tariff Preference Level. Not only do lapses in these programs destroy U.S. jobs and impose costs on U.S. businesses, including many AAFA members, but they also cast doubt into U.S. leadership on trade. Indeed, during a review of U.S. trade policy at the World Trade Organization last month, these concerns were cited by a number of our trading partners. AAFA members need these provisions in order to make rational and predictable sourcing decisions on materials and components – a complicated global process that occurs years in advance of actual manufacture.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0051.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>With this in mind, we urge immediate enactment of legislation to renew expired and expiring trade programs, such as the Generalized System of Preferences, the African Growth and Opportunity Act, and the Nicaragua Tariff Preference Level. Not only do lapses in these programs destroy U.S. jobs and impose costs on U.S. businesses, including many AAFA members, but they also cast doubt into U.S. leadership on trade. Indeed, during a review of U.S. trade policy at the World Trade Organization last month, these concerns were cited by a number of our trading partners. AAFA members need these provisions in order to make rational and predictable sourcing decisions on materials and components – a complicated global process that occurs years in advance of actual manufacture.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144799<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0053.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Now, you don’t have to take my word for it. The facts are the facts. And let’s face it, a lot of times the media doesn’t like reporting on good news, but every once in a while, it’s important for us to hear some good news, not to make us complacent, but to give us confidence that if we work harder, we can make even more good news. So here’s how we begin this year. Last year, 2014, was the strongest year for job growth since the 1990s. (Applause.) Since the 1990s. (Applause.) We’ve now had a 57-month streak of private sector job creation. We’ve created nearly 11 million new jobs. That’s the longest stretch in our history of private sector, uninterrupted job creation. (Applause.)</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0053.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Now, you don’t have to take my word for it. The facts are the facts. And let’s face it, a lot of times the media doesn’t like reporting on good news, but every once in a while, it’s important for us to hear some good news, not to make us complacent, but to give us confidence that if we work harder, we can make even more good news. So here’s how we begin this year. Last year, 2014, was the strongest year for job growth since the 1990s. (Applause.) Since the 1990s. (Applause.) We’ve now had a 57-month streak of private sector job creation. We’ve created nearly 11 million new jobs. That’s the longest stretch in our history of private sector, uninterrupted job creation. (Applause.)</p>  -->Entity ID - 144802<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0056.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>MR. EARNEST: I'll give you the short version, which is that the President has been very clear that any sort of trade agreement he reaches will be one that he believes is in the best interests of American businesses and American workers. This was a commitment that he made in advance of the Korea Free Trade Agreement. And since the Korea Free Trade Agreement was announced, we’ve only seen the American auto industry continue to strengthen. And so any sort of future agreement that the President reaches on trade would be predicated on the same core principle that we’re only going to cut a deal that is clearly in the best interests of American workers, American businesses, and American farmers. And if presented with an agreement that the President does not believe is in the best interest of the American auto industry and other important American manufacturing   the American manufacturing sector or other core sectors of the American economy, the President simply won’t make the deal, that we’re only going to have an agreement that the President believes is clearly in the best interests of American workers and American businesses.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0056.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>MR. EARNEST: I'll give you the short version, which is that the President has been very clear that any sort of trade agreement he reaches will be one that he believes is in the best interests of American businesses and American workers. This was a commitment that he made in advance of the Korea Free Trade Agreement. And since the Korea Free Trade Agreement was announced, we’ve only seen the American auto industry continue to strengthen. And so any sort of future agreement that the President reaches on trade would be predicated on the same core principle that we’re only going to cut a deal that is clearly in the best interests of American workers, American businesses, and American farmers. And if presented with an agreement that the President does not believe is in the best interest of the American auto industry and other important American manufacturing   the American manufacturing sector or other core sectors of the American economy, the President simply won’t make the deal, that we’re only going to have an agreement that the President believes is clearly in the best interests of American workers and American businesses.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144805<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0059.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Marisa Lago, of New York, to be a Deputy United States Trade Representative, with the rank of Ambassador, vice Miriam E. Sapiro, resigned.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0059.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Marisa Lago, of New York, to be a Deputy United States Trade Representative, with the rank of Ambassador, vice Miriam E. Sapiro, resigned.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144807<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0061.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Delegation will focus on SelectUSA Investment Summit, promoting effective apprenticeship models, and innovative R&amp;D U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez, and the Director of the National Economic Council, Jeffrey Zients will host a delegation of Swiss business leaders at the White House on January 13th. The delegation, led by Swiss Vice President and Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann and U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein Suzan LeVine, will include chief executive officers and senior executives from Alevo Group, Bühler, Kudelski Group, Nestlé, Novartis, Pilatus Aircraft, Reha Technology, and Zurich Insurance Group.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0061.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Delegation will focus on SelectUSA Investment Summit, promoting effective apprenticeship models, and innovative R&amp;D U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez, and the Director of the National Economic Council, Jeffrey Zients will host a delegation of Swiss business leaders at the White House on January 13th. The delegation, led by Swiss Vice President and Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann and U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein Suzan LeVine, will include chief executive officers and senior executives from Alevo Group, Bühler, Kudelski Group, Nestlé, Novartis, Pilatus Aircraft, Reha Technology, and Zurich Insurance Group.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144809<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0063.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Two issues threatening to drive us apart, or trigger a new phase of “drift”:</p>  <p> Concerns over Continued U.S. Military Assistance for Pakistan: While controversial even here in the United States, there is a strong case for some level of U.S. military aid for Pakistan. Pakistan is a frontline state in the war on terror in every sense—both positive and negative. Yet offering support to Pakistan for even positive (though selective) efforts like the campaign in North Waziristan is eroding India’s trust in the United States as a strategic partner. These concerns have become more pronounced in India in recent months. Clearly there is not an easy solution to this impasse, but hopefully we can contain any damaging effects in our relations with India.</p>  <p> Further Anti-Trade/Anti-Business Measures: Multilateral trade issues continue to divide the United States and India, as evidenced by the fiasco over India’s step back from the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement this summer. And other commercial issues, some not directly controlled by New Delhi, give investors pause; the Uber ban is one example. Continuing along this path could put a chill in the economic relationship.</p>  <p>Two issues that could break in either direction:</p>  <p> Coordination on Afghanistan: As the United States draws down its presence in Afghanistan, the need for stronger coordination with India increases. The U.S.-India-Afghanistan trilateral dialogue must be reinvigorated, and Washington should consult New Delhi more proactively before making decisions on our future presence in Afghanistan.</p>  <p> Generating U.S. Infrastructure Investment in India: The U.S. government does not have the development resources to make massive block investments akin to what Japan, China, and others have proposed. We need to find a way to bring U.S. private-sector investment back into Indian infrastructure. Payment security is critical, so moving ahead with a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) or other mechanisms will help, as will attention to broader issues like transparent bidding, simplified licensing, etc. Absent U.S. participation in India’s “big build,” our economic relationship may ultimately lose ground to other nations.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0063.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Two issues threatening to drive us apart, or trigger a new phase of “drift”:</p>  <p> Concerns over Continued U.S. Military Assistance for Pakistan: While controversial even here in the United States, there is a strong case for some level of U.S. military aid for Pakistan. Pakistan is a frontline state in the war on terror in every sense—both positive and negative. Yet offering support to Pakistan for even positive (though selective) efforts like the campaign in North Waziristan is eroding India’s trust in the United States as a strategic partner. These concerns have become more pronounced in India in recent months. Clearly there is not an easy solution to this impasse, but hopefully we can contain any damaging effects in our relations with India.</p>  <p> Further Anti-Trade/Anti-Business Measures: Multilateral trade issues continue to divide the United States and India, as evidenced by the fiasco over India’s step back from the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement this summer. And other commercial issues, some not directly controlled by New Delhi, give investors pause; the Uber ban is one example. Continuing along this path could put a chill in the economic relationship.</p>  <p>Two issues that could break in either direction:</p>  <p> Coordination on Afghanistan: As the United States draws down its presence in Afghanistan, the need for stronger coordination with India increases. The U.S.-India-Afghanistan trilateral dialogue must be reinvigorated, and Washington should consult New Delhi more proactively before making decisions on our future presence in Afghanistan.</p>  <p> Generating U.S. Infrastructure Investment in India: The U.S. government does not have the development resources to make massive block investments akin to what Japan, China, and others have proposed. We need to find a way to bring U.S. private-sector investment back into Indian infrastructure. Payment security is critical, so moving ahead with a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) or other mechanisms will help, as will attention to broader issues like transparent bidding, simplified licensing, etc. Absent U.S. participation in India’s “big build,” our economic relationship may ultimately lose ground to other nations.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144810<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0064.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee (SITAC) will meet on January 27, 2015, 9:30 a.m., in the Herbert C. Hoover Building, Room 6087B, 14th Street between Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenues, N.W., Washington, D.C. The Committee advises the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Export Administration on technical questions that affect the level of export controls applicable to sensors and instrumentation equipment and technology.</p>  <p>Agenda</p>  <p>Public Session:</p>  <p>1. Welcome and Introductions.</p>  <p>2. Remarks from the Bureau of Industry and Security Management.</p>  <p>3. Industry Presentations.</p>  <p>4. New Business.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0064.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee (SITAC) will meet on January 27, 2015, 9:30 a.m., in the Herbert C. Hoover Building, Room 6087B, 14th Street between Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenues, N.W., Washington, D.C. The Committee advises the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Export Administration on technical questions that affect the level of export controls applicable to sensors and instrumentation equipment and technology.</p>  <p>Agenda</p>  <p>Public Session:</p>  <p>1. Welcome and Introductions.</p>  <p>2. Remarks from the Bureau of Industry and Security Management.</p>  <p>3. Industry Presentations.</p>  <p>4. New Business.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144812<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0066.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Moving America Forward: With a Focus on Economic Growth, Ryan Announces</p>  <p>First Committee Hearing of the 114th Congress</p>  <p>bHVC 210 at 10:00 AM</p>  <p>Jan 13, 2015</p>  <p>Moving America Forward: With a Focus on Economic Growth, Ryan Announces First Committee Hearing of the 114th Congress</p>  <p>New Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means Paul Ryan (R-WI) today announced that the first hearing of the 114th Congress will be focused on the state of the U.S. economy and policies that can promote job creation and economic growth. The hearing will take place Tuesday, January 13, 2015, at 10:00 AM in HVC 210.</p>  <p>Hearing Advisory</p>  <p>Witness List</p>  <p>Martin Feldstein</p>  <p>The George F. Baker Professor of Economics at Harvard and President Emeritus of the National Bureau of Economic Research</p>  <p>Douglas Holtz-Eakin</p>  <p>President, American Action Forum</p>  <p>Simon Johnson</p>  <p>Ronald A. Kurtz (1954) Professor of Entrepreneurship at the MIT Sloan School of Management</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0066.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Moving America Forward: With a Focus on Economic Growth, Ryan Announces</p>  <p>First Committee Hearing of the 114th Congress</p>  <p>bHVC 210 at 10:00 AM</p>  <p>Jan 13, 2015</p>  <p>Moving America Forward: With a Focus on Economic Growth, Ryan Announces First Committee Hearing of the 114th Congress</p>  <p>New Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means Paul Ryan (R-WI) today announced that the first hearing of the 114th Congress will be focused on the state of the U.S. economy and policies that can promote job creation and economic growth. The hearing will take place Tuesday, January 13, 2015, at 10:00 AM in HVC 210.</p>  <p>Hearing Advisory</p>  <p>Witness List</p>  <p>Martin Feldstein</p>  <p>The George F. Baker Professor of Economics at Harvard and President Emeritus of the National Bureau of Economic Research</p>  <p>Douglas Holtz-Eakin</p>  <p>President, American Action Forum</p>  <p>Simon Johnson</p>  <p>Ronald A. Kurtz (1954) Professor of Entrepreneurship at the MIT Sloan School of Management</p>  -->Entity ID - 144820<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0074.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>With regard to reinsurance, the Modernization Report recommends development of a uniform and transparent solvency oversight regime for the transfer of risk to reinsurance captives, and pursuit of a covered agreement for reinsurance collateral requirements.95 A covered agreement is a written bilateral or multilateral agreement between the United States and one or more foreign governments, authorities, or regulatory entities regarding prudential measures with respect to the business of insurance or reinsurance which meets certain specified standards.96 Work towards initiating negotiations for a covered agreement with leading reinsurance jurisdictions continues.97</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0074.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>With regard to reinsurance, the Modernization Report recommends development of a uniform and transparent solvency oversight regime for the transfer of risk to reinsurance captives, and pursuit of a covered agreement for reinsurance collateral requirements.95 A covered agreement is a written bilateral or multilateral agreement between the United States and one or more foreign governments, authorities, or regulatory entities regarding prudential measures with respect to the business of insurance or reinsurance which meets certain specified standards.96 Work towards initiating negotiations for a covered agreement with leading reinsurance jurisdictions continues.97</p>  -->Entity ID - 144825<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0079.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>President Obama will host Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom at the White House on Thursday and Friday, January 15-16. Prime Minister Cameron’s visit highlights the breadth, depth and strength of our relationship with the United Kingdom, as well as the strong bonds of friendship between the American and British people. The President and Prime Minister Cameron will have a working dinner at the White House on Thursday, January 15 and a meeting in the Oval Office on Friday, January 16. The two leaders will discuss a range of issues including economic growth, international trade, cybersecurity, Iran, ISIL, counterterrorism, Ebola, and Russia’s actions in Ukraine.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0079.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>President Obama will host Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom at the White House on Thursday and Friday, January 15-16. Prime Minister Cameron’s visit highlights the breadth, depth and strength of our relationship with the United Kingdom, as well as the strong bonds of friendship between the American and British people. The President and Prime Minister Cameron will have a working dinner at the White House on Thursday, January 15 and a meeting in the Oval Office on Friday, January 16. The two leaders will discuss a range of issues including economic growth, international trade, cybersecurity, Iran, ISIL, counterterrorism, Ebola, and Russia’s actions in Ukraine.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144831<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0085.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>New rules applying as of tomorrow mean businesses and consumers will be able to resolve crossborder legal disputes more easily – bringing expected savings of up to €48 million each year in the EU. The rules abolish the costly and lengthy procedure, which is currently used 10,000 times per year to get judgments in civil and commercial matters recognised in other EU countries. Starting tomorrow, such cross-border judgments will be automatically enforceable across the EU. Consumers will also be better protected when buying from non-EU merchants; and businesses will have more legal certainty when doing business across the EU. The new measures deliver on the EU's promise to cut red tape and strengthen the EU's Single Market to boost sustainable economic growth.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0085.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>New rules applying as of tomorrow mean businesses and consumers will be able to resolve crossborder legal disputes more easily – bringing expected savings of up to €48 million each year in the EU. The rules abolish the costly and lengthy procedure, which is currently used 10,000 times per year to get judgments in civil and commercial matters recognised in other EU countries. Starting tomorrow, such cross-border judgments will be automatically enforceable across the EU. Consumers will also be better protected when buying from non-EU merchants; and businesses will have more legal certainty when doing business across the EU. The new measures deliver on the EU's promise to cut red tape and strengthen the EU's Single Market to boost sustainable economic growth.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144833<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0087.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Jakarta, 9 January 2015 – The government is getting more and more serious in establishing order in the national energy sector. This time, the Minister of Trade Rachmat Gobel issued a new regulation regarding the flow of export and import of Oil Based Fuels (Bahan Bakar Minyak/BBM), natural gas, and other fuels. This new regulation is written in the Minister of Trade Regulation Number 03/M-DAG/PER/1/2015 dated 5 January 2015. “We need to tighten supervision on export and import of natural oil and gas because oil and gas are strategic products and a source of national revenue,” asserted Trade Minister Rachmat at the Ministry of Trade, today (9/1).</p>  <p>Minister of Trade Regulation Number 03/M-DAG/PER/1/2015 also amends the previous policy, namely Minister of Trade Regulation Number 42/M-DAG/PER/9/2009 concerning Provisions on the Export and Import of Natural Oil and Gas. In this new Regulation, there are at least three new provisions made by the Trade Minister.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0087.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Jakarta, 9 January 2015 – The government is getting more and more serious in establishing order in the national energy sector. This time, the Minister of Trade Rachmat Gobel issued a new regulation regarding the flow of export and import of Oil Based Fuels (Bahan Bakar Minyak/BBM), natural gas, and other fuels. This new regulation is written in the Minister of Trade Regulation Number 03/M-DAG/PER/1/2015 dated 5 January 2015. “We need to tighten supervision on export and import of natural oil and gas because oil and gas are strategic products and a source of national revenue,” asserted Trade Minister Rachmat at the Ministry of Trade, today (9/1).</p>  <p>Minister of Trade Regulation Number 03/M-DAG/PER/1/2015 also amends the previous policy, namely Minister of Trade Regulation Number 42/M-DAG/PER/9/2009 concerning Provisions on the Export and Import of Natural Oil and Gas. In this new Regulation, there are at least three new provisions made by the Trade Minister.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144834<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0088.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Ahmedabad, India, January 11, 2015—World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim said India is pursuing reforms that could accelerate growth in its economy and this could more rapidly reduce poverty and spread prosperity to more people in the country who are marginalized and vulnerable. Speaking at the “Vibrant Gujarat” conference, Kim praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government’s “Make in India” campaign, efforts to reform the Goods and Services Tax, the phasing out of diesel subsidies and steps to create a more inclusive society. “Prime Minister Modi and his government are quickly putting in place the building blocks for even more rapid growth, streamlining the national regulatory structure, using public funds more efficiently, and promoting social inclusion,” Kim said in a speech. “These tax and subsidy reforms and public investments in human capital are essential to generating inclusive and sustainable growth in India over the next century.”</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0088.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Ahmedabad, India, January 11, 2015—World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim said India is pursuing reforms that could accelerate growth in its economy and this could more rapidly reduce poverty and spread prosperity to more people in the country who are marginalized and vulnerable. Speaking at the “Vibrant Gujarat” conference, Kim praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government’s “Make in India” campaign, efforts to reform the Goods and Services Tax, the phasing out of diesel subsidies and steps to create a more inclusive society. “Prime Minister Modi and his government are quickly putting in place the building blocks for even more rapid growth, streamlining the national regulatory structure, using public funds more efficiently, and promoting social inclusion,” Kim said in a speech. “These tax and subsidy reforms and public investments in human capital are essential to generating inclusive and sustainable growth in India over the next century.”</p>  -->Entity ID - 144836<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0090.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2015 — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that more than 23,000 of the nation's dairy operations – over half of all dairy farms in America – have enrolled in the new safety net program created by the 2014 Farm Bill, known as the Margin Protection Program. The voluntary program provides financial assistance to participating farmers when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls below the coverage level selected by the farmer. "Enrollment far exceeded our expectations in the first year," said Vilsack. "We're pleased that so many dairy producers are taking advantage of the expanded protection. USDA conducted a lot of outreach to get the word out. When you compare the initial enrollment rate for the Margin Protection Program to the longstanding federal crop insurance program, where participation ranges from 30 percent to 80 percent depending on the crop, it's clear that these outreach efforts made a difference." During the three months of the enrollment period, USDA conducted a robust education and outreach effort to the nation's dairy producers. The department held over 500 public meetings, sent out nearly 60,000 direct mailings, and conducted more than 400 demonstrations of the Webbased</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0090.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2015 — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that more than 23,000 of the nation's dairy operations – over half of all dairy farms in America – have enrolled in the new safety net program created by the 2014 Farm Bill, known as the Margin Protection Program. The voluntary program provides financial assistance to participating farmers when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls below the coverage level selected by the farmer. "Enrollment far exceeded our expectations in the first year," said Vilsack. "We're pleased that so many dairy producers are taking advantage of the expanded protection. USDA conducted a lot of outreach to get the word out. When you compare the initial enrollment rate for the Margin Protection Program to the longstanding federal crop insurance program, where participation ranges from 30 percent to 80 percent depending on the crop, it's clear that these outreach efforts made a difference." During the three months of the enrollment period, USDA conducted a robust education and outreach effort to the nation's dairy producers. The department held over 500 public meetings, sent out nearly 60,000 direct mailings, and conducted more than 400 demonstrations of the Webbased</p>  -->Entity ID - 144839<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0093.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>1 Background</p>  <p>At the November 2011 EU-US summit, leaders directed the Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC) to establish a High-Level Working Group on Jobs and Growth, led by the then EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht and the then US Trade Representative Ron Kirk. The Group was tasked to “identify policies and measures to increase EU-US trade and investment to support mutually beneficial job creation, economic growth, and international competitiveness.” The Group published a final report on 11 February 2013, concluding that: ...a comprehensive agreement that addresses a broad range of bilateral trade and investment issues, including regulatory issues, and which contributes to the development of global rules, would provide the most significant mutual benefit. 1</p>  <p>Following this recommendation, the European Commission and US Government announced that they had agreed to initiate the internal procedures necessary to launch negotiations on a free trade agreement called the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).2 Negotiation of a “reasonable and balanced” trade agreement with the US is one of the 10 priorities of the new President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. The Commission’s website says: In the 21st century it is anachronistic that Europeans and Americans still impose customs duties on each other's products. These should be eliminated, quickly and completely. The European Commission supports free trade, but not at the price of sacrificing European standards in areas such as food safety, health, social and data protection or cultural diversity. Nor will we allow EU courts' jurisdiction to be limited by special regimes that limit parties' access to national courts or that allow secret courts to have the final say in disputes between investors and states.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0093.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>1 Background</p>  <p>At the November 2011 EU-US summit, leaders directed the Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC) to establish a High-Level Working Group on Jobs and Growth, led by the then EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht and the then US Trade Representative Ron Kirk. The Group was tasked to “identify policies and measures to increase EU-US trade and investment to support mutually beneficial job creation, economic growth, and international competitiveness.” The Group published a final report on 11 February 2013, concluding that: ...a comprehensive agreement that addresses a broad range of bilateral trade and investment issues, including regulatory issues, and which contributes to the development of global rules, would provide the most significant mutual benefit. 1</p>  <p>Following this recommendation, the European Commission and US Government announced that they had agreed to initiate the internal procedures necessary to launch negotiations on a free trade agreement called the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).2 Negotiation of a “reasonable and balanced” trade agreement with the US is one of the 10 priorities of the new President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. The Commission’s website says: In the 21st century it is anachronistic that Europeans and Americans still impose customs duties on each other's products. These should be eliminated, quickly and completely. The European Commission supports free trade, but not at the price of sacrificing European standards in areas such as food safety, health, social and data protection or cultural diversity. Nor will we allow EU courts' jurisdiction to be limited by special regimes that limit parties' access to national courts or that allow secret courts to have the final say in disputes between investors and states.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144843<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0097.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Recommendations to the European Commission on the negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) INTA/8/01962 OJ\PE546646v01-00en.rtf 3/4 PE546.646v01-00 EN 2014/2228(INI) Rapporteur: Bernd Lange (S&amp;D) DT – PE546.593v01-00 Responsible: INTA Opinions: AFET, DEVE, ECON, EMPL, ENVI, ITRE, IMCO, TRAN, JURI, AFCO Consideration of working document</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0097.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Recommendations to the European Commission on the negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) INTA/8/01962 OJ\PE546646v01-00en.rtf 3/4 PE546.646v01-00 EN 2014/2228(INI) Rapporteur: Bernd Lange (S&amp;D) DT – PE546.593v01-00 Responsible: INTA Opinions: AFET, DEVE, ECON, EMPL, ENVI, ITRE, IMCO, TRAN, JURI, AFCO Consideration of working document</p>  -->Entity ID - 144850<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0104.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>WASHINGTON, D.C. – The ExportImport Bank of the United States (ExIm Bank) today announced that Michael Whalen has joined ExIm Bank as Vice President of Structured Finance, where he will oversee project and structured finance transactions that support thousands of American jobs each year and level the playing field for U.S. exporters. "Michael's deep experience in both the private and public sector will allow ExIm Bank to better serve U.S. exporters and equip them with the tools they need to win large deals overseas that support jobs here at home," said ExIm Bank Chairman Fred P. Hochberg. "Michael understands today's</p>  <p>competitive global economy and where the opportunities exist for U.S. exporters, particularly in emerging markets. We are delighted to have him join the ExIm Bank team."</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0104.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>WASHINGTON, D.C. – The ExportImport Bank of the United States (ExIm Bank) today announced that Michael Whalen has joined ExIm Bank as Vice President of Structured Finance, where he will oversee project and structured finance transactions that support thousands of American jobs each year and level the playing field for U.S. exporters. "Michael's deep experience in both the private and public sector will allow ExIm Bank to better serve U.S. exporters and equip them with the tools they need to win large deals overseas that support jobs here at home," said ExIm Bank Chairman Fred P. Hochberg. "Michael understands today's</p>  <p>competitive global economy and where the opportunities exist for U.S. exporters, particularly in emerging markets. We are delighted to have him join the ExIm Bank team."</p>  -->Entity ID - 144851<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0105.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>U.S. exports of fish and seafood reached a record level in fiscal year 2014, with a total value of $5.3 billion, up four percent from FY 2013. With a six-percent share of global trade, the United States is the sixth-largest supplier of fish and seafood products to the world market, behind China, Norway, Thailand, India, and the European Union. In FY 2014, U.S. fish and seafood exports were almost equal in value to U.S. exports of poultry ($5.5 billion) and were greater in value than exports of fresh fruit ($5 billion) and cotton ($4.6 billion). Over the past five years, U.S. exports have risen 43 percent in value, primarily due to higher volumes (up 38 percent), rather than rising prices. In fact, price growth for fish and seafood exports has lagged behind price growth in other protein products. In the past five years, the average unit price of exported fish rose only four percent, compared to 61 percent for beef, 28 percent for pork, and 22 percent for poultry.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0105.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>U.S. exports of fish and seafood reached a record level in fiscal year 2014, with a total value of $5.3 billion, up four percent from FY 2013. With a six-percent share of global trade, the United States is the sixth-largest supplier of fish and seafood products to the world market, behind China, Norway, Thailand, India, and the European Union. In FY 2014, U.S. fish and seafood exports were almost equal in value to U.S. exports of poultry ($5.5 billion) and were greater in value than exports of fresh fruit ($5 billion) and cotton ($4.6 billion). Over the past five years, U.S. exports have risen 43 percent in value, primarily due to higher volumes (up 38 percent), rather than rising prices. In fact, price growth for fish and seafood exports has lagged behind price growth in other protein products. In the past five years, the average unit price of exported fish rose only four percent, compared to 61 percent for beef, 28 percent for pork, and 22 percent for poultry.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144853<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0107.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>SAN DIEGO, January 13, 2015 – Farmer and rancher delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 96th Annual Convention today approved resolutions that will provide the organization grassroots authority to ask Congress to finish many measures that remain unsettled at the start of 2015.</p>  <p>“Our delegates are the men and women growing the food and fiber for our nation and much of the rest of the world every day,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “They have made great strides over the last decades in improving their environmental performance, in adopting cutting edge technologies and taking actions to make sure they can pass their farms and ranches on to the next generation.”</p>  <p>According to Stallman, however, these same producers recognize that many of the challenges they face are derived from the federal government’s attempt to overreach in its regulation of land use. “This is particularly true with respect to improper application of federal water rules,” Stallman said. “Our members also want us to continue our effort to secure a stable and reliable supply of agricultural labor.”</p>  <p>Regarding other policy matters, delegates:</p>  <p>•Reaffirmed that farmers’ proprietary data remain strictly the property of the farmer or rancher when submitted to third parties for analysis and processing;</p>  <p>•Agreed that farmers and ranchers must have the right to remove their data permanently from the systems of agricultural technology providers. Members feel especially strongly about this point given the exponential growth of agricultural data systems and the double-digit productivity gains they have generated in just a few short growing seasons;</p>  <p>•Opposed state efforts to dictate out-of-state, farm-level production practices;</p>  <p>•Reaffirmed support for producer-led and -approved checkoff programs;</p>  <p>•Reaffirmed support for country-of-origin labeling provisions consistent with World Trade Organization rules;</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0107.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>SAN DIEGO, January 13, 2015 – Farmer and rancher delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 96th Annual Convention today approved resolutions that will provide the organization grassroots authority to ask Congress to finish many measures that remain unsettled at the start of 2015.</p>  <p>“Our delegates are the men and women growing the food and fiber for our nation and much of the rest of the world every day,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “They have made great strides over the last decades in improving their environmental performance, in adopting cutting edge technologies and taking actions to make sure they can pass their farms and ranches on to the next generation.”</p>  <p>According to Stallman, however, these same producers recognize that many of the challenges they face are derived from the federal government’s attempt to overreach in its regulation of land use. “This is particularly true with respect to improper application of federal water rules,” Stallman said. “Our members also want us to continue our effort to secure a stable and reliable supply of agricultural labor.”</p>  <p>Regarding other policy matters, delegates:</p>  <p>•Reaffirmed that farmers’ proprietary data remain strictly the property of the farmer or rancher when submitted to third parties for analysis and processing;</p>  <p>•Agreed that farmers and ranchers must have the right to remove their data permanently from the systems of agricultural technology providers. Members feel especially strongly about this point given the exponential growth of agricultural data systems and the double-digit productivity gains they have generated in just a few short growing seasons;</p>  <p>•Opposed state efforts to dictate out-of-state, farm-level production practices;</p>  <p>•Reaffirmed support for producer-led and -approved checkoff programs;</p>  <p>•Reaffirmed support for country-of-origin labeling provisions consistent with World Trade Organization rules;</p>  -->Entity ID - 144858<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0112.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The agreement is essential to President Obama’s top priority of creating good jobs in America—it will lower tariffs and bring high standards to an area covering a third of the world’s trade and 40 percent of its GDP. And it will help increase trade with a region that already supports nearly a million New York jobs. The TPP has 12 members, of which the U.S. and Japan are the largest, and it will help promote exports, growth and job creation in all member economies. It will reflect the importance we both place on open markets for goods, services and investment, and on innovation, fair competition, and protecting core labor and environmental standards. Through TPP, our two countries are helping lead the region to higher standards for trade. But to achieve these ambitious goals, we need to resolve the remaining bilateral issues between us, principally related to the agriculture and automotive sectors.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0112.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The agreement is essential to President Obama’s top priority of creating good jobs in America—it will lower tariffs and bring high standards to an area covering a third of the world’s trade and 40 percent of its GDP. And it will help increase trade with a region that already supports nearly a million New York jobs. The TPP has 12 members, of which the U.S. and Japan are the largest, and it will help promote exports, growth and job creation in all member economies. It will reflect the importance we both place on open markets for goods, services and investment, and on innovation, fair competition, and protecting core labor and environmental standards. Through TPP, our two countries are helping lead the region to higher standards for trade. But to achieve these ambitious goals, we need to resolve the remaining bilateral issues between us, principally related to the agriculture and automotive sectors.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144868<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0122.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>According to a study conducted by the Bertelsmann Foundation, a successful Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement could increase U.S. real per capita income by 13.4 percent, the equivalent of $5,487 in 2014. Today, the U.S. and EU have a uniquely successful economic relationship. Together they account for nearly half of world GDP and 30 percent of world trade. Each day, goods and services worth $2.7 billion are traded bilaterally, promoting economic growth and supporting millions of jobs in both economies. Although we should be proud of our successful economic relationship, more can be done to further strengthen our economic partnership to foster jobs, growth and competitiveness in both economies. A comprehensive and ambitious Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership would support the creation of significant good-paying jobs for American workers, ranchers, and farmers and would open new opportunities for U.S. companies to sell their goods and services in the EU. As co-chairs of the TTIP Caucus, we hope that you will consider joining to show your support for the ongoing trade negotiations between the United States and the European Union. To join, please contact Mike</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0122.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>According to a study conducted by the Bertelsmann Foundation, a successful Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement could increase U.S. real per capita income by 13.4 percent, the equivalent of $5,487 in 2014. Today, the U.S. and EU have a uniquely successful economic relationship. Together they account for nearly half of world GDP and 30 percent of world trade. Each day, goods and services worth $2.7 billion are traded bilaterally, promoting economic growth and supporting millions of jobs in both economies. Although we should be proud of our successful economic relationship, more can be done to further strengthen our economic partnership to foster jobs, growth and competitiveness in both economies. A comprehensive and ambitious Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership would support the creation of significant good-paying jobs for American workers, ranchers, and farmers and would open new opportunities for U.S. companies to sell their goods and services in the EU. As co-chairs of the TTIP Caucus, we hope that you will consider joining to show your support for the ongoing trade negotiations between the United States and the European Union. To join, please contact Mike</p>  -->Entity ID - 144875<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0129.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The second issue is trade policy. President Obama and the Republicans already agree that Congress should pass Trade Promotion Authority, or “fast track”, to facilitate passage of the Trans Pacific Partnership. We support efforts to pass TPA without including trade adjustment assistance (supplemental unemployment insurance with dubious standards of eligibility), or protectionist provisions</p>  <p>regarding foreign currency manipulation (the precursor for a big tax increase on imported goods and businesses).</p>  <p>President Obama knows that he needs Republican support to pass this potentially huge and pro-growth trade deal. That’s exactly why Congress should send the President a bill approving fast-track authority without all of the giveaways to big</p>  <p>labor and special interests that others have inserted into trade legislation in the past. Again, you will find no bigger cheerleader than the Club for Growth for clean pro-trade legislation.<br /> <br /></p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0129.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The second issue is trade policy. President Obama and the Republicans already agree that Congress should pass Trade Promotion Authority, or “fast track”, to facilitate passage of the Trans Pacific Partnership. We support efforts to pass TPA without including trade adjustment assistance (supplemental unemployment insurance with dubious standards of eligibility), or protectionist provisions</p>  <p>regarding foreign currency manipulation (the precursor for a big tax increase on imported goods and businesses).</p>  <p>President Obama knows that he needs Republican support to pass this potentially huge and pro-growth trade deal. That’s exactly why Congress should send the President a bill approving fast-track authority without all of the giveaways to big</p>  <p>labor and special interests that others have inserted into trade legislation in the past. Again, you will find no bigger cheerleader than the Club for Growth for clean pro-trade legislation.<br /> <br /></p>  -->Entity ID - 144877<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0131.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>(Mrs. DINGELL asked and was given<strong> </strong>permission to address the House for 1 minute.) Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise</p>  <p>this afternoon regarding Fast Track authorization. There are many reasons to oppose Fast Track, but the first and foremost</p>  <p>is that Fast Track is an abdication of Congress’ fundamental responsibilities. The Constitution authorizes the Congress,</p>  not the executive branch, to regulate commerce between nations. This<br /> <br />-->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0131.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>(Mrs. DINGELL asked and was given<strong> </strong>permission to address the House for 1 minute.) Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise</p>  <p>this afternoon regarding Fast Track authorization. There are many reasons to oppose Fast Track, but the first and foremost</p>  <p>is that Fast Track is an abdication of Congress’ fundamental responsibilities. The Constitution authorizes the Congress,</p>  not the executive branch, to regulate commerce between nations. This<br /> <br />-->Entity ID - 144882<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0136.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Trade and foreign market access affect not only rural economies, but the overall economic health of nations – including ours. In that spirit, I’m happy to welcome Phil Hogan, the European Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development, to the 2015 Agricultural Outlook Forum. He will join our own Secretary Tom Vilsack during the plenary session for a discussion that promises to be insightful. The United States and the European Union are far more alike than they are different when it comes to agricultural and rural issues. We both stand to benefit substantially from a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership package that includes bold action on agriculture. Cooperation between the United States and our global trading partners not only facilitates trade, but can help improve food safety and security and foster rural economic development around the world.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0136.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Trade and foreign market access affect not only rural economies, but the overall economic health of nations – including ours. In that spirit, I’m happy to welcome Phil Hogan, the European Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development, to the 2015 Agricultural Outlook Forum. He will join our own Secretary Tom Vilsack during the plenary session for a discussion that promises to be insightful. The United States and the European Union are far more alike than they are different when it comes to agricultural and rural issues. We both stand to benefit substantially from a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership package that includes bold action on agriculture. Cooperation between the United States and our global trading partners not only facilitates trade, but can help improve food safety and security and foster rural economic development around the world.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144909<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0144.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>With regard to China, the implementation of the Agreement will accelerate the release and flow of goods, improve trade efficiency, reduce trade cost and play a positive role in raising the level of trade facilitation in China, improving the trade facilitation environment of major exporter members, reducing the import and export barriers of Chinese products, creating a convenient customs environment and pushing forward the sound development of Chinese foreign trade.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0144.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>With regard to China, the implementation of the Agreement will accelerate the release and flow of goods, improve trade efficiency, reduce trade cost and play a positive role in raising the level of trade facilitation in China, improving the trade facilitation environment of major exporter members, reducing the import and export barriers of Chinese products, creating a convenient customs environment and pushing forward the sound development of Chinese foreign trade.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144910<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0145.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The Third Meeting of the Second Phase of the Negotiations on the ChinaPakistan Free Trade Area was successfully held in Islamabad on January 68, 2015. The two sides had talks on such topics as the implementation effect of lowering taxes in the first phase of the ChinaPakistan Free Trade Area, the mode of lowering taxes of goods in trade in the second phase and the expansion of opening up in the service and investment fields at the meeting, with positive progress. They also discussed the plan for the followup work and agreed to accelerate negotiations to complete the second phase at an early date.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0145.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The Third Meeting of the Second Phase of the Negotiations on the ChinaPakistan Free Trade Area was successfully held in Islamabad on January 68, 2015. The two sides had talks on such topics as the implementation effect of lowering taxes in the first phase of the ChinaPakistan Free Trade Area, the mode of lowering taxes of goods in trade in the second phase and the expansion of opening up in the service and investment fields at the meeting, with positive progress. They also discussed the plan for the followup work and agreed to accelerate negotiations to complete the second phase at an early date.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144915<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0150.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The European Union and Morocco have concluded negotiations on an agreement to mutually protect their Geographical Indications (GIs). Through this agreement Morocco and the EU will ensure high level protection for their respective GIs for food products. Also aimed at promoting and fostering trade relations in agricultural products and foodstuffs produced in Morocco and the European Union, the text of the agreement was initialled today at chief negotiator's level. "This agreement gives relations between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco a new impetus. It reinforces our partnership, aiming at promoting and protecting quality products, benefiting farmers and industries in both Morocco and the EU. Agriculture constitutes an important chapter of our bilateral cooperation, notably in the 2013-2017 Action Plan, which constitutes the roadmap of our cooperation for the years to come.</p>  <p>Cooperation in the field of geographical indications is part of our mutual commitment for a quality agriculture that preserves local products", said EU Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Phil Hogan</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0150.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The European Union and Morocco have concluded negotiations on an agreement to mutually protect their Geographical Indications (GIs). Through this agreement Morocco and the EU will ensure high level protection for their respective GIs for food products. Also aimed at promoting and fostering trade relations in agricultural products and foodstuffs produced in Morocco and the European Union, the text of the agreement was initialled today at chief negotiator's level. "This agreement gives relations between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco a new impetus. It reinforces our partnership, aiming at promoting and protecting quality products, benefiting farmers and industries in both Morocco and the EU. Agriculture constitutes an important chapter of our bilateral cooperation, notably in the 2013-2017 Action Plan, which constitutes the roadmap of our cooperation for the years to come.</p>  <p>Cooperation in the field of geographical indications is part of our mutual commitment for a quality agriculture that preserves local products", said EU Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Phil Hogan</p>  -->Entity ID - 144916<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0151.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Jobs and a Healthy Economy United States Senate Committee on Finance Thursday, January 22, 2015, 10:00 AM 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building A witness list will be provided at a later date. Member Statements Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT) Ron Wyden (D-OR)</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0151.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Jobs and a Healthy Economy United States Senate Committee on Finance Thursday, January 22, 2015, 10:00 AM 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building A witness list will be provided at a later date. Member Statements Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT) Ron Wyden (D-OR)</p>  -->Entity ID - 144918<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0153.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Mr Robb used the visit to meet a number of Indian business leaders, including the Adani Group’s Gautum Adani, Mukesh Ambani, from Reliance Industries, and Tata Consulting chief Natarajan Chandrasekaran. He also welcomed Mr Walsh as Australian cochair and Mr Adani as the Indian cochair of a revitalised Australia India CEO Forum. "Our top business leaders will be critical to the success of this relationship. I'm confident they're up to the task of building trade and investment, which will create jobs and increase prosperity for the people of our countries," Mr Robb said. Mr Robb welcomed the strong reiteration from Prime Minister Modi of his commitment to finalising a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement by the end of this year. "I will keep coming back to India to ensure we get our negotiations over the line this year. This is a key priority for both our Prime Ministers," he said.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0153.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Mr Robb used the visit to meet a number of Indian business leaders, including the Adani Group’s Gautum Adani, Mukesh Ambani, from Reliance Industries, and Tata Consulting chief Natarajan Chandrasekaran. He also welcomed Mr Walsh as Australian cochair and Mr Adani as the Indian cochair of a revitalised Australia India CEO Forum. "Our top business leaders will be critical to the success of this relationship. I'm confident they're up to the task of building trade and investment, which will create jobs and increase prosperity for the people of our countries," Mr Robb said. Mr Robb welcomed the strong reiteration from Prime Minister Modi of his commitment to finalising a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement by the end of this year. "I will keep coming back to India to ensure we get our negotiations over the line this year. This is a key priority for both our Prime Ministers," he said.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144920<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0155.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The FDA and its regulatory counterparts abroad have the weighty responsibility of ensuring the safety of the thousands of regulated medical devices imported in their countries each year. To make this task more manageable, FDA and regulatory agencies in Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Japan embarked in 2014 on a pilot called the Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP). Its goal is to develop a process that allows a single audit, or inspection to ensure the medical device regulatory requirements for all five countries are satisfied, in an efficient yet thorough manner. On January 1, 2015 the MDSAP pilot reached a major milestone – manufacturers around the globe interested in marketing medical devices in Australia, Brazil, Canada, and the U.S. were invited to participate in the program. This summer, when Japan enters the MDSAP as a full member, the same invitation will be issued also to medical device manufacturers interested in marketing in Japan.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0155.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The FDA and its regulatory counterparts abroad have the weighty responsibility of ensuring the safety of the thousands of regulated medical devices imported in their countries each year. To make this task more manageable, FDA and regulatory agencies in Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Japan embarked in 2014 on a pilot called the Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP). Its goal is to develop a process that allows a single audit, or inspection to ensure the medical device regulatory requirements for all five countries are satisfied, in an efficient yet thorough manner. On January 1, 2015 the MDSAP pilot reached a major milestone – manufacturers around the globe interested in marketing medical devices in Australia, Brazil, Canada, and the U.S. were invited to participate in the program. This summer, when Japan enters the MDSAP as a full member, the same invitation will be issued also to medical device manufacturers interested in marketing in Japan.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144928<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0163.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>AmCham China supports the streamlining of laws and regulations that impact foreign-invested companies and the way they operate in China. We also support a revision of the law that will ease the approval procedures for the establishment and operation of foreign-invested enterprises in China, as well as to provide for greater market access and the reduction of trade barriers that impact American companies. AmCham China appreciates the opportunity to provide comments to the Ministry of Commerce with respect to the draft Foreign Investment Law, and we applaud the government’s efforts to be both transparent and to seek public opinion in the law drafting process. Our member companies are in the process of reviewing the draft law and may have additional comments that we will submit to MOFCOM in due course.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0163.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>AmCham China supports the streamlining of laws and regulations that impact foreign-invested companies and the way they operate in China. We also support a revision of the law that will ease the approval procedures for the establishment and operation of foreign-invested enterprises in China, as well as to provide for greater market access and the reduction of trade barriers that impact American companies. AmCham China appreciates the opportunity to provide comments to the Ministry of Commerce with respect to the draft Foreign Investment Law, and we applaud the government’s efforts to be both transparent and to seek public opinion in the law drafting process. Our member companies are in the process of reviewing the draft law and may have additional comments that we will submit to MOFCOM in due course.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144929<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0164.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Ministers from Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Senegal met in Cairo to discuss the multilateral trading system and the path forward in 2015 to the 10th Ministerial Meeting of the World Trade Organisation that will be held in December 2015 in Nairobi, Kenya. Ministers welcomed the presence of the WTO Director General, Ambassador Roberto Azevedo, invited to participate at the meeting. Ministers agreed that current conditions in the global economy underscore the vital importance of the multilateral trading system as an engine for economic growth and development. Africa is a key beneficiary of a strong and functioning multilateral trading system. Ministers agreed that to strengthen the system the Doha Development Agenda remained a critical element in the work of the WTO. They committed to work towards the development of a work program by mid-year that would consolidate the outstanding issues in the Bali agenda and establish a Road Map to ensure the conclusion of the Doha Round. Agriculture and development issues, including for LDCs and cotton, would be critical in defining a path forward — but all issues in the DDA need to be part of the discussion.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0164.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Ministers from Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Senegal met in Cairo to discuss the multilateral trading system and the path forward in 2015 to the 10th Ministerial Meeting of the World Trade Organisation that will be held in December 2015 in Nairobi, Kenya. Ministers welcomed the presence of the WTO Director General, Ambassador Roberto Azevedo, invited to participate at the meeting. Ministers agreed that current conditions in the global economy underscore the vital importance of the multilateral trading system as an engine for economic growth and development. Africa is a key beneficiary of a strong and functioning multilateral trading system. Ministers agreed that to strengthen the system the Doha Development Agenda remained a critical element in the work of the WTO. They committed to work towards the development of a work program by mid-year that would consolidate the outstanding issues in the Bali agenda and establish a Road Map to ensure the conclusion of the Doha Round. Agriculture and development issues, including for LDCs and cotton, would be critical in defining a path forward — but all issues in the DDA need to be part of the discussion.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144932<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0167.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>India’s decision not to ratify the TFA in July, before finally reaching an agreement in November, has been a very difficult issue for the United States. I believe a bit of baggage from the incident still continues. India’s backing out is a bruise on that aspect of trade relations that is hurting India’s ability to aim for a more ambitious trade target with the United States—for example, looking down the line at the Trans-Pacific Partnership or the possibility of negotiating a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA). Right now, people are still looking back at that process of the TFA and not understanding where India is on a lot of these very thorny trade questions, so it is probably better to just wait a while.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0167.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>India’s decision not to ratify the TFA in July, before finally reaching an agreement in November, has been a very difficult issue for the United States. I believe a bit of baggage from the incident still continues. India’s backing out is a bruise on that aspect of trade relations that is hurting India’s ability to aim for a more ambitious trade target with the United States—for example, looking down the line at the Trans-Pacific Partnership or the possibility of negotiating a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA). Right now, people are still looking back at that process of the TFA and not understanding where India is on a lot of these very thorny trade questions, so it is probably better to just wait a while.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144935<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0170.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Trade Minister Tim Groser will today depart for Europe to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, including a meeting of Trade Ministers to discuss the WTO. He will then visit Brussels, Paris and Ankara. “The World Economic Forum is a unique opportunity for New Zealand to engage with some of the world’s top decisionmakers on current issues across the economic and political spectrum, and their implications for New Zealand,” says Mr Groser. In Davos, Mr Groser will also attend a meeting of Trade Ministers to discuss developments in the multilateral trading system and prospects for progress ahead of the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference scheduled for December 2015. After Davos, Minister Groser will travel to Brussels to meet with incoming European Commissioners to press the case for a NZ-EU FTA. He will also travel to Ankara for bilateral meetings and to Paris to make a presentation to a gathering of French agri-business leaders</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0170.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Trade Minister Tim Groser will today depart for Europe to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, including a meeting of Trade Ministers to discuss the WTO. He will then visit Brussels, Paris and Ankara. “The World Economic Forum is a unique opportunity for New Zealand to engage with some of the world’s top decisionmakers on current issues across the economic and political spectrum, and their implications for New Zealand,” says Mr Groser. In Davos, Mr Groser will also attend a meeting of Trade Ministers to discuss developments in the multilateral trading system and prospects for progress ahead of the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference scheduled for December 2015. After Davos, Minister Groser will travel to Brussels to meet with incoming European Commissioners to press the case for a NZ-EU FTA. He will also travel to Ankara for bilateral meetings and to Paris to make a presentation to a gathering of French agri-business leaders</p>  -->Entity ID - 144938<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0173.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>FDI by Chinese firms in the United States Chinese investment in the United States has been growing in recent years, concentrated in manufacturing, electrical equipment, information technology (IT), chemicals, and extractive industries. But total foreign direct investment (FDI) by Chinese firms in the United States is still much lower than what would be expected based on characteristics of the Chinese and US economies. This gap between actual and potential investment, along with larger trends in China’s economy and economic reforms, leads us to expect that Chinese investment will continue to rise rapidly and even accelerate in the coming years.</p>  <p>According to a January 5, 2015 report by the Rhodium Group, since 2012, an increasing share of Chinese outward FDI has been aimed at advanced economies, with the United States consistently being among the most important. FDI by Chinese firms in the United States continued to expand in 2014, and we expect that it will grow even more in 2015. As China continues to develop its domestic energy sector, we expect outward FDI by Chinese firms in this sector to decline in importance. Meanwhile, one of the greatest challenges for Chinese firms is to position themselves to move up the value chain, and many have addressed this challenge by looking outside of China for management and technological prowess. This has been evidenced by outward FDI by Chinese firms in well-known brands and high-tech industries, a trend that will only get stronger in coming years.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0173.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>FDI by Chinese firms in the United States Chinese investment in the United States has been growing in recent years, concentrated in manufacturing, electrical equipment, information technology (IT), chemicals, and extractive industries. But total foreign direct investment (FDI) by Chinese firms in the United States is still much lower than what would be expected based on characteristics of the Chinese and US economies. This gap between actual and potential investment, along with larger trends in China’s economy and economic reforms, leads us to expect that Chinese investment will continue to rise rapidly and even accelerate in the coming years.</p>  <p>According to a January 5, 2015 report by the Rhodium Group, since 2012, an increasing share of Chinese outward FDI has been aimed at advanced economies, with the United States consistently being among the most important. FDI by Chinese firms in the United States continued to expand in 2014, and we expect that it will grow even more in 2015. As China continues to develop its domestic energy sector, we expect outward FDI by Chinese firms in this sector to decline in importance. Meanwhile, one of the greatest challenges for Chinese firms is to position themselves to move up the value chain, and many have addressed this challenge by looking outside of China for management and technological prowess. This has been evidenced by outward FDI by Chinese firms in well-known brands and high-tech industries, a trend that will only get stronger in coming years.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144943<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0178.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>High Representative Mogherini said: "Japan is a key EU ally in its region and globally. My goal is to expand EU cooperation with Japan, to strengthen our Strategic Partnership and to realise our shared vision of a peaceful and prosperous future for our citizens and the world. Our shared outlook on the world and common values go to the heart of our decision to negotiate an ambitious Strategic Partnership Agreement, which will be the best signal we can offer to the world of our shared political vision. A deep and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement will ensure that we retain our leadership position in setting the terms of world trade, to the benefit of all. We will seek to complete these negotiations as rapidly as possible. We also support Japan in taking up more of its responsibilities on regional and global security. As a result, we are expanding our joint peace and security agenda, cooperating in the context of EU crisis management operations and working together in crisis areas."</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0178.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>High Representative Mogherini said: "Japan is a key EU ally in its region and globally. My goal is to expand EU cooperation with Japan, to strengthen our Strategic Partnership and to realise our shared vision of a peaceful and prosperous future for our citizens and the world. Our shared outlook on the world and common values go to the heart of our decision to negotiate an ambitious Strategic Partnership Agreement, which will be the best signal we can offer to the world of our shared political vision. A deep and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement will ensure that we retain our leadership position in setting the terms of world trade, to the benefit of all. We will seek to complete these negotiations as rapidly as possible. We also support Japan in taking up more of its responsibilities on regional and global security. As a result, we are expanding our joint peace and security agenda, cooperating in the context of EU crisis management operations and working together in crisis areas."</p>  -->Entity ID - 144946<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0181.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>On Wednesday 4th February 2015, during the eight round of the Transatlantic Trade &amp; Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations, taking place in Brussels from 2nd to 6th February 2015, the Directorate General for Trade of the European Commission will organise two stakeholder engagement events. 1. Stakeholder presentations event From 11:00 to 13:30, stakeholders wishing to make short presentations (5 minutes) on a topic related to the TTIP negotiations will have the opportunity to explain their views to EU and US negotiators as well as to other interested stakeholders. In order to facilitate engagement with the relevant negotiators, presentations will take place simultaneously in four rooms grouped as following:</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0181.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>On Wednesday 4th February 2015, during the eight round of the Transatlantic Trade &amp; Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations, taking place in Brussels from 2nd to 6th February 2015, the Directorate General for Trade of the European Commission will organise two stakeholder engagement events. 1. Stakeholder presentations event From 11:00 to 13:30, stakeholders wishing to make short presentations (5 minutes) on a topic related to the TTIP negotiations will have the opportunity to explain their views to EU and US negotiators as well as to other interested stakeholders. In order to facilitate engagement with the relevant negotiators, presentations will take place simultaneously in four rooms grouped as following:</p>  -->Entity ID - 144948<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0183.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The present report has been prepared in pursuance of the Procedures for an Annual Overview of WTO Activities and for Reporting under the WTO (WT/L/105). Since its previous annual report1, the General Council has held five meetings, on 14 March 2014,</p>  <p>12 May 2014, 24-25 July 2014, 21 October 2014, 10-11 December 2014 and a special meeting on 27 November 2014. The minutes of these meetings, which remain in the record of the General Council's work, are contained in documents WT/GC/M/150; WT/GC/M/151; WT/GC/M/152; WT/GC/M/153; WT/GC/M/154; and WT/GC/M/1552.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0183.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The present report has been prepared in pursuance of the Procedures for an Annual Overview of WTO Activities and for Reporting under the WTO (WT/L/105). Since its previous annual report1, the General Council has held five meetings, on 14 March 2014,</p>  <p>12 May 2014, 24-25 July 2014, 21 October 2014, 10-11 December 2014 and a special meeting on 27 November 2014. The minutes of these meetings, which remain in the record of the General Council's work, are contained in documents WT/GC/M/150; WT/GC/M/151; WT/GC/M/152; WT/GC/M/153; WT/GC/M/154; and WT/GC/M/1552.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144951<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0186.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>“The business community looks forward to working with both the administration and Congress to enact Trade Promotion Authority and complete historic trade deals across the Pacific and the Atlantic. Our Jobs, Growth, and Opportunity Agenda would also capitalize on our energy abundance; make smart investments in our infrastructure; and reform our tax, legal, immigration, education, and rulemaking systems. This approach will lead to a healthier and more prosperous economy for all Americans. “Both the president and Congress must work together in good faith, find common ground on key issues, make some deals, and move the nation forward.”</p>  <p>The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0186.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>“The business community looks forward to working with both the administration and Congress to enact Trade Promotion Authority and complete historic trade deals across the Pacific and the Atlantic. Our Jobs, Growth, and Opportunity Agenda would also capitalize on our energy abundance; make smart investments in our infrastructure; and reform our tax, legal, immigration, education, and rulemaking systems. This approach will lead to a healthier and more prosperous economy for all Americans. “Both the president and Congress must work together in good faith, find common ground on key issues, make some deals, and move the nation forward.”</p>  <p>The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144953<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0188.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) today announced that the Committee on Ways and Means will hold a hearing on the U.S. trade policy agenda with U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman. The hearing will take place Tuesday, January 27, 2015, at 2:00 PM in HVC 210.  Oral testimony at this hearing will be from the invited witness only. However, any individual or organization may submit a written statement for consideration by the Committee and for inclusion in the printed record of the hearing. Details for Submission of Written Comments: Please Note: Any person(s) and/or organization(s) wishing to submit written comments for the hearing record must follow the appropriate link on the hearing page of the Committee website and complete the informational forms. From the Committee homepage, http://waysandmeans.house.gov, select “Hearings.” Select the hearing for which you would like to make a submission, and click on the link entitled, “Click here to provide a submission for the record.” Once you have followed the online instructions, submit all requested information. ATTACH your submission as a Word document, in compliance with the formatting requirements listed below, by the close of business on Tuesday, February 10, 2015. For questions, or if you encounter technical problems, please call (202) 225-3625 or (202) 225-2610.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0188.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) today announced that the Committee on Ways and Means will hold a hearing on the U.S. trade policy agenda with U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman. The hearing will take place Tuesday, January 27, 2015, at 2:00 PM in HVC 210.  Oral testimony at this hearing will be from the invited witness only. However, any individual or organization may submit a written statement for consideration by the Committee and for inclusion in the printed record of the hearing. Details for Submission of Written Comments: Please Note: Any person(s) and/or organization(s) wishing to submit written comments for the hearing record must follow the appropriate link on the hearing page of the Committee website and complete the informational forms. From the Committee homepage, http://waysandmeans.house.gov, select “Hearings.” Select the hearing for which you would like to make a submission, and click on the link entitled, “Click here to provide a submission for the record.” Once you have followed the online instructions, submit all requested information. ATTACH your submission as a Word document, in compliance with the formatting requirements listed below, by the close of business on Tuesday, February 10, 2015. For questions, or if you encounter technical problems, please call (202) 225-3625 or (202) 225-2610.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144957<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0192.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>At an open-ended meeting with all members today (21 January) – the first of 2015 – Director-General Roberto Azevêdo launched a new process of consultations with the aim of agreeing a work programme on the remaining Doha Development Agenda issues by July this year. This new deadline was set by members at a special meeting of the General Council in November. The Director-General urged members to build on the progress that had been made during 2014 and to recall the ingredients which they would need in order to reach a successful outcome, such as: •maintaining a sense of urgency; •identifying and prioritising the issues that are of the most substantive importance; •targeting outcomes that are doable for all parties; •maintaining a high level of engagement; •and tackling all issues at the same time rather than trying to sequence them. The Director General told members attending the meeting: “We must maximise the time we have available to us before July — and maintain the momentum that we regained at the end of 2014. We need to have a detailed, substantive discussion that includes agriculture, non-agricultural market access, services and all of the other DDA issues, including development and issues of interest to LDCs. Today we are restarting our conversation on all of these issues. So be ready — and get involved.” Under the intensified process launched today, discussions on the substantive issues of the DDA will be convened by the Chairs of the various Negotiating Groups and by the Director-General. Meetings will be held in a variety of formats and configurations. Replicating the inclusive and transparent approach that proved effective in the lead up to Bali, regular meetings of all members will be the spine of this work. The next such meeting is scheduled for Thursday 29 January.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0192.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>At an open-ended meeting with all members today (21 January) – the first of 2015 – Director-General Roberto Azevêdo launched a new process of consultations with the aim of agreeing a work programme on the remaining Doha Development Agenda issues by July this year. This new deadline was set by members at a special meeting of the General Council in November. The Director-General urged members to build on the progress that had been made during 2014 and to recall the ingredients which they would need in order to reach a successful outcome, such as: •maintaining a sense of urgency; •identifying and prioritising the issues that are of the most substantive importance; •targeting outcomes that are doable for all parties; •maintaining a high level of engagement; •and tackling all issues at the same time rather than trying to sequence them. The Director General told members attending the meeting: “We must maximise the time we have available to us before July — and maintain the momentum that we regained at the end of 2014. We need to have a detailed, substantive discussion that includes agriculture, non-agricultural market access, services and all of the other DDA issues, including development and issues of interest to LDCs. Today we are restarting our conversation on all of these issues. So be ready — and get involved.” Under the intensified process launched today, discussions on the substantive issues of the DDA will be convened by the Chairs of the various Negotiating Groups and by the Director-General. Meetings will be held in a variety of formats and configurations. Replicating the inclusive and transparent approach that proved effective in the lead up to Bali, regular meetings of all members will be the spine of this work. The next such meeting is scheduled for Thursday 29 January.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144959<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0194.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Process-wise, the experience from last year clearly demonstrated the need for horizontal discussions which will steer the work of the negotiating groups and, when needed, address questions which the negotiating groups cannot properly address. At the same time it is crucial that technical discussions in the various negotiating groups move forward unhindered as it is in these groups that the technical expertise lies. The Director General has asked all of us to clearly state what our expectations are: for the EU, it is crucial that all issues move forward in parallel and that a genuine effort is made to engage constructively in discussions. Without this engagement it would be impossible to reach a deal. We need to be frank early on in this discussion: - there will have to be a balance between the various negotiating areas and within them; - an ambitious outcome in agriculture will only be possible with an equivalent effort in NAMA;</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0194.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Process-wise, the experience from last year clearly demonstrated the need for horizontal discussions which will steer the work of the negotiating groups and, when needed, address questions which the negotiating groups cannot properly address. At the same time it is crucial that technical discussions in the various negotiating groups move forward unhindered as it is in these groups that the technical expertise lies. The Director General has asked all of us to clearly state what our expectations are: for the EU, it is crucial that all issues move forward in parallel and that a genuine effort is made to engage constructively in discussions. Without this engagement it would be impossible to reach a deal. We need to be frank early on in this discussion: - there will have to be a balance between the various negotiating areas and within them; - an ambitious outcome in agriculture will only be possible with an equivalent effort in NAMA;</p>  -->Entity ID - 144972<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0207.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Readout of the Vice President’s Meeting with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop of Australia The Vice President met with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop of Australia today at the White House. The Vice President and the Foreign Minister discussed a range of regional and global issues. The Vice President thanked the Foreign Minister for Australia’s significant contributions to counter the threat posed by ISIL and help Iraq strengthen its security forces. The Vice President and the Foreign Minister agreed on the strategic and economic value of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the importance of continuing to work together to conclude TPP negotiations as quickly as possible.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0207.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Readout of the Vice President’s Meeting with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop of Australia The Vice President met with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop of Australia today at the White House. The Vice President and the Foreign Minister discussed a range of regional and global issues. The Vice President thanked the Foreign Minister for Australia’s significant contributions to counter the threat posed by ISIL and help Iraq strengthen its security forces. The Vice President and the Foreign Minister agreed on the strategic and economic value of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the importance of continuing to work together to conclude TPP negotiations as quickly as possible.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144975<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0210.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>WASHINGTON – House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson today announced the 19 Democrats appointed to serve on the House Agriculture Committee for the 114th Congress. “This is a great group of both new and returning members who care about the wide variety of issues overseen by the agriculture Committee. I look forward to working with them, Chairman Conaway and members on the other side of the aisle this Congress,” Peterson said.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0210.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>WASHINGTON – House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson today announced the 19 Democrats appointed to serve on the House Agriculture Committee for the 114th Congress. “This is a great group of both new and returning members who care about the wide variety of issues overseen by the agriculture Committee. I look forward to working with them, Chairman Conaway and members on the other side of the aisle this Congress,” Peterson said.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144980<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0215.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>HANOI, VIETNAM –U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Stefan M. Selig today concluded his Rebalance to Asia tour in Hanoi, Vietnam, where he stressed the importance of completing negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership as soon as possible during meetings with his Vietnamese government counterparts and U.S. business leaders. Selig’s tour included stops in Beijing and Hong Kong where he held discussions with public and private sector officials in support of President Obama’s Asia pivot.</p>  <p>“Trade and investment has emerged as a diplomatic tool to achieve our strategic interests, and the TPP is nothing short of the economic leg of the President’s rebalance to Asia priority,” Selig said. “With an estimated 2.7 billion middle class consumers projected by 2030, the Asia-Pacific region also plays an essential role in our economic growth now and in the future.”</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0215.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>HANOI, VIETNAM –U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Stefan M. Selig today concluded his Rebalance to Asia tour in Hanoi, Vietnam, where he stressed the importance of completing negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership as soon as possible during meetings with his Vietnamese government counterparts and U.S. business leaders. Selig’s tour included stops in Beijing and Hong Kong where he held discussions with public and private sector officials in support of President Obama’s Asia pivot.</p>  <p>“Trade and investment has emerged as a diplomatic tool to achieve our strategic interests, and the TPP is nothing short of the economic leg of the President’s rebalance to Asia priority,” Selig said. “With an estimated 2.7 billion middle class consumers projected by 2030, the Asia-Pacific region also plays an essential role in our economic growth now and in the future.”</p>  -->Entity ID - 144981<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0216.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>move quickly from celebrating to soul-searching when some of its members convene in Switzerland this week. Hanging in the balance are negotiations that began in 2001, and if approached with a new perspective, could boost global growth. To be sure, there is one recent achievement that is worth toasting: the Trade Facilitation Agreement. By streamlining customs procedures, that agreement could add hundreds of billions of dollars to the global economy, with developing economies gaining the most. But this is the first and only deal that all WTO members have signed during the organization’s two-decades of existence. Whether it represents a brief blip or the beginning of broader trend toward enhanced cooperation and greater gains for the global economy depends on the answer to three tough questions.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0216.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>move quickly from celebrating to soul-searching when some of its members convene in Switzerland this week. Hanging in the balance are negotiations that began in 2001, and if approached with a new perspective, could boost global growth. To be sure, there is one recent achievement that is worth toasting: the Trade Facilitation Agreement. By streamlining customs procedures, that agreement could add hundreds of billions of dollars to the global economy, with developing economies gaining the most. But this is the first and only deal that all WTO members have signed during the organization’s two-decades of existence. Whether it represents a brief blip or the beginning of broader trend toward enhanced cooperation and greater gains for the global economy depends on the answer to three tough questions.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144984<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0219.pdf</p>  <!--  <p><strong>SUMMARY</strong>: In this rule, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to further implement the bilateral understanding between the United States and India announced by President Obama and India’s Prime Minister Singh on November 8, 2010. On January 25, 2011, BIS published the first rule in a series of rules to implement the bilateral understanding between the two countries. These rules fulfill the President’s and Prime Minister’s commitment to work together to strengthen the global nonproliferation and export control framework and further transform our bilateral export control cooperation to realize the full potential of the strategic partnership between the two countries. Specifically, in this rule, to further implement the November 8, 2010 bilateral understanding,</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0219.pdf</p>  <!--  <p><strong>SUMMARY</strong>: In this rule, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to further implement the bilateral understanding between the United States and India announced by President Obama and India’s Prime Minister Singh on November 8, 2010. On January 25, 2011, BIS published the first rule in a series of rules to implement the bilateral understanding between the two countries. These rules fulfill the President’s and Prime Minister’s commitment to work together to strengthen the global nonproliferation and export control framework and further transform our bilateral export control cooperation to realize the full potential of the strategic partnership between the two countries. Specifically, in this rule, to further implement the November 8, 2010 bilateral understanding,</p>  -->Entity ID - 144985<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0220.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Mr. Sun noted that, the year 2014, though fraught with a complicated and volatile international environment and formidable and heavy tasks in domestic reform and development, saw the entire commerce system resolutely implement various decisions and deployments made by the central government and the State Council, well plan and coordinate growth stabilization, industrial restructuring, reform facilitation, and further openingup, and solidly carry out activities in all aspects. These efforts contributed to progressive yet steady commercial performance with a succession of highlights. Firstly, consumption further became the primary driver of economic growth. With steadfast growth in household consumption in 2014, it is estimated that the annual total retail sales of consumer goods reached RMB26.6 trillion, posting a yearonyear increase of about 12%.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0220.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Mr. Sun noted that, the year 2014, though fraught with a complicated and volatile international environment and formidable and heavy tasks in domestic reform and development, saw the entire commerce system resolutely implement various decisions and deployments made by the central government and the State Council, well plan and coordinate growth stabilization, industrial restructuring, reform facilitation, and further openingup, and solidly carry out activities in all aspects. These efforts contributed to progressive yet steady commercial performance with a succession of highlights. Firstly, consumption further became the primary driver of economic growth. With steadfast growth in household consumption in 2014, it is estimated that the annual total retail sales of consumer goods reached RMB26.6 trillion, posting a yearonyear increase of about 12%.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144987<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0222.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Parliament must use its influence on framing the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) rules to ensure that they serve all EU citizens, not just a few economic players and must therefore insist that the talks are more democratic and more transparent, said trade committee chair, Bernd Lange (S&amp;D, DE), on Wednesday In the debate on the updated mandate for the TTIP talks, 18 months after they were launched, centre-right MEPs insisted that the EP’s demands should be drafted in more “positive terms”, focusing on “what we want” rather on “drawing new red lines”. Almost all speakers stressed the need for investor protection that does not limit the rights to regulate of either party. The need for a binding sustainable development chapter was also mentioned several times. The House plans to adopt its recommendations, based on its assessment of the main results of the talks, in May this year. They will contain adjustments made by MEPs in the light of the new political balance following elections last year and new concerns raised by EU civil society.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0222.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Parliament must use its influence on framing the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) rules to ensure that they serve all EU citizens, not just a few economic players and must therefore insist that the talks are more democratic and more transparent, said trade committee chair, Bernd Lange (S&amp;D, DE), on Wednesday In the debate on the updated mandate for the TTIP talks, 18 months after they were launched, centre-right MEPs insisted that the EP’s demands should be drafted in more “positive terms”, focusing on “what we want” rather on “drawing new red lines”. Almost all speakers stressed the need for investor protection that does not limit the rights to regulate of either party. The need for a binding sustainable development chapter was also mentioned several times. The House plans to adopt its recommendations, based on its assessment of the main results of the talks, in May this year. They will contain adjustments made by MEPs in the light of the new political balance following elections last year and new concerns raised by EU civil society.</p>  -->Entity ID - 144988<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0223.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, today concluded his second trade mission to Italy, promoting a deeper bilateral trade and investment relationship between the two countries. Minister Fast was joined by Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Minister Fast met with government representatives, including Federica Guidi, Minister of Economic Development, to discuss the growing Canada-Italy bilateral relationship, strengthened by the recently concluded Canada-EU trade agreement. Minister Fast and Mr. Beatty also met with more than 30 business leaders from the Italian business association, Confindustria, to highlight how the Canada-EU trade agreement will open new markets for producers, creating new opportunities for exporters and investors in Canada and the EU, including Italy. Minister Fast also met with Claudio De Vincenti, Vice-Minister of Economic Development responsible for energy, and representatives of the Italian energy sector. Canada has the potential to be an important partner in ensuring long-term energy security for Italy. Canadian energy exports to Italy increased by 1,400 percent in 2014, reaching $1.6 billion for the first 11 months of the year, compared to $106 million in 2013.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0223.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, today concluded his second trade mission to Italy, promoting a deeper bilateral trade and investment relationship between the two countries. Minister Fast was joined by Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Minister Fast met with government representatives, including Federica Guidi, Minister of Economic Development, to discuss the growing Canada-Italy bilateral relationship, strengthened by the recently concluded Canada-EU trade agreement. Minister Fast and Mr. Beatty also met with more than 30 business leaders from the Italian business association, Confindustria, to highlight how the Canada-EU trade agreement will open new markets for producers, creating new opportunities for exporters and investors in Canada and the EU, including Italy. Minister Fast also met with Claudio De Vincenti, Vice-Minister of Economic Development responsible for energy, and representatives of the Italian energy sector. Canada has the potential to be an important partner in ensuring long-term energy security for Italy. Canadian energy exports to Italy increased by 1,400 percent in 2014, reaching $1.6 billion for the first 11 months of the year, compared to $106 million in 2013.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145000<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0236.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The EU and Vietnam today completed the eleventh round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The talks were held in Brussels, on 19-23 January 2015. Both teams made further progress on all outstanding issues and are working towards a swift conclusion of the negotiations. In this round, talks focused in particular on services, investment, government procurement, competition related aspects, and regulatory issues. Chief negotiators also had intense discussions on the key areas included in the FTA. Technical work was completed in three areas, namely the provisions aimed at combatting fraud and the chapters on trade remedies and on trade and sustainable development</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0236.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The EU and Vietnam today completed the eleventh round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The talks were held in Brussels, on 19-23 January 2015. Both teams made further progress on all outstanding issues and are working towards a swift conclusion of the negotiations. In this round, talks focused in particular on services, investment, government procurement, competition related aspects, and regulatory issues. Chief negotiators also had intense discussions on the key areas included in the FTA. Technical work was completed in three areas, namely the provisions aimed at combatting fraud and the chapters on trade remedies and on trade and sustainable development</p>  -->Entity ID - 145005<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0241.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>WASHINGTON, DC – In early February, Vice President Joe Biden will travel to Brussels, Belgium and Munich, Germany. In Brussels, the Vice President will meet with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, European Council President Donald Tusk, European Parliament President Martin Schulz and other European Union leaders. In Munich, the Vice President will deliver remarks at the Munich Security Conference, where he will also meet with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and other leaders. In both stops, the Vice President will discuss a full range of bilateral, regional and global issues. Additional details about the Vice President’s trip are forthcoming.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0241.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>WASHINGTON, DC – In early February, Vice President Joe Biden will travel to Brussels, Belgium and Munich, Germany. In Brussels, the Vice President will meet with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, European Council President Donald Tusk, European Parliament President Martin Schulz and other European Union leaders. In Munich, the Vice President will deliver remarks at the Munich Security Conference, where he will also meet with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and other leaders. In both stops, the Vice President will discuss a full range of bilateral, regional and global issues. Additional details about the Vice President’s trip are forthcoming.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145007<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0243.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>On November 25, 2014, India reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and sent notifications through December 2014. The outbreak was detected in a rural backyard duck farm in the Alappuzha and Kottayam districts of Kerala. On December 17, 2014, India’s notification for Kerala reported that 369,374 birds have been culled, 387,928 birds are considered susceptible, and 18,554 birds are dead. Per media reports and Post contacts, the outbreak has caused low poultry and poultry product demand and declining prices. On December 18, 2014, India also notified an additional HPAI outbreak at Sukhna lake in Chandigarh. The notification reported that 22 birds were dead and 100 birds are considered susceptible. The central government issued an advisory to Kerala and Chandigarh to contain the outbreak.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0243.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>On November 25, 2014, India reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and sent notifications through December 2014. The outbreak was detected in a rural backyard duck farm in the Alappuzha and Kottayam districts of Kerala. On December 17, 2014, India’s notification for Kerala reported that 369,374 birds have been culled, 387,928 birds are considered susceptible, and 18,554 birds are dead. Per media reports and Post contacts, the outbreak has caused low poultry and poultry product demand and declining prices. On December 18, 2014, India also notified an additional HPAI outbreak at Sukhna lake in Chandigarh. The notification reported that 22 birds were dead and 100 birds are considered susceptible. The central government issued an advisory to Kerala and Chandigarh to contain the outbreak.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145008<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0244.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>As leading U.S. environmental and science organizations, we write to express our strong opposition to “fast track” trade promotion authority and to urge you to oppose any legislation that would limit the ability of Congress to ensure that trade pacts deliver benefits for communities, workers, public health, and the environment. Fast track empowers the president to send already-signed trade agreements to Congress for straight up or down votes with limited debate and no amendments. Fast track was originally designed in the 1970s when trade agreements focused on traditional trade issues such as cutting tariffs and lifting quotas. Today’s trade agreements, however, are about much more than tariffs and quotas and have significant implications for our environment, public health, and global climate.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0244.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>As leading U.S. environmental and science organizations, we write to express our strong opposition to “fast track” trade promotion authority and to urge you to oppose any legislation that would limit the ability of Congress to ensure that trade pacts deliver benefits for communities, workers, public health, and the environment. Fast track empowers the president to send already-signed trade agreements to Congress for straight up or down votes with limited debate and no amendments. Fast track was originally designed in the 1970s when trade agreements focused on traditional trade issues such as cutting tariffs and lifting quotas. Today’s trade agreements, however, are about much more than tariffs and quotas and have significant implications for our environment, public health, and global climate.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145009<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0245.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The evidence from 2014 is clear: for the past 58 straight months, the private sector added more than 11 million new jobs. Last year alone, 3 million jobs were created – the most since the 1990s. America’s GDP is up, while unemployment rate is down. There is no doubt that 2014 was a milestone year for the American economy. With the economy improving, the Department of Commerce is focused on continuing the growth that occurred over the past year. During her conversation with Morgan that touched upon many of President Obama’s main priorities, Secretary Pritzker highlighted trade as a top issue on the agenda. By pushing for new trade agreements, the United States can reach new markets and create a fair environment for our companies to compete. If American businesses sell more goods and services to the 95 percent of consumers who live outside U.S. borders, they will grow the 11.3 million good-paying jobs here at home that are supported by exports.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0245.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The evidence from 2014 is clear: for the past 58 straight months, the private sector added more than 11 million new jobs. Last year alone, 3 million jobs were created – the most since the 1990s. America’s GDP is up, while unemployment rate is down. There is no doubt that 2014 was a milestone year for the American economy. With the economy improving, the Department of Commerce is focused on continuing the growth that occurred over the past year. During her conversation with Morgan that touched upon many of President Obama’s main priorities, Secretary Pritzker highlighted trade as a top issue on the agenda. By pushing for new trade agreements, the United States can reach new markets and create a fair environment for our companies to compete. If American businesses sell more goods and services to the 95 percent of consumers who live outside U.S. borders, they will grow the 11.3 million good-paying jobs here at home that are supported by exports.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145022<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0257.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Dear Commissioner Malmström,</p>  <p>On behalf of the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) I am writing to invite you to be the keynote speaker at our Transatlantic Conference in March 2015. AmCham EU members would be very interested to hear your views on the transatlantic relationship. The conference will take place on Thursday 19 March 2015 in The Hotel in Brussels (Waterloolaan 38 Boulevard de Waterloo, 1000 Brussels). The keynote speech is scheduled from 9:15 to 9:45. Our annual transatlantic conference brings together policy makers, senior private sector executives, academics and other civil society partners from the EU and US to discuss the key features of a renewed transatlantic agenda, assessing both the challenges and opportunities presented by the current political and economic context. Featuring addresses by senior policymakers, a presentation of the Transatlantic Economy 2015 Report, and three high-level panel discussions (focussing on digital, energy and TTIP), this event aims to use the practical experiences of industry to contribute to a constructive discussion on the transatlantic relations and how it can to promote economic growth, trade and international competiveness for both the EU and the US. As you may be aware, AmCham EU speaks for American companies committed to Europe on trade, investment and competitiveness issues. It aims to ensure a growth-orientated business and investment climate in Europe. AmCham EU facilitates the resolution of transatlantic issues that impact business and plays a role in creating better understanding of EU and US positions on business matters. Aggregate US investment in Europe totalled €2 trillion in 2013 and directly supports more than 4.3 million jobs in Europe.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0257.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Dear Commissioner Malmström,</p>  <p>On behalf of the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) I am writing to invite you to be the keynote speaker at our Transatlantic Conference in March 2015. AmCham EU members would be very interested to hear your views on the transatlantic relationship. The conference will take place on Thursday 19 March 2015 in The Hotel in Brussels (Waterloolaan 38 Boulevard de Waterloo, 1000 Brussels). The keynote speech is scheduled from 9:15 to 9:45. Our annual transatlantic conference brings together policy makers, senior private sector executives, academics and other civil society partners from the EU and US to discuss the key features of a renewed transatlantic agenda, assessing both the challenges and opportunities presented by the current political and economic context. Featuring addresses by senior policymakers, a presentation of the Transatlantic Economy 2015 Report, and three high-level panel discussions (focussing on digital, energy and TTIP), this event aims to use the practical experiences of industry to contribute to a constructive discussion on the transatlantic relations and how it can to promote economic growth, trade and international competiveness for both the EU and the US. As you may be aware, AmCham EU speaks for American companies committed to Europe on trade, investment and competitiveness issues. It aims to ensure a growth-orientated business and investment climate in Europe. AmCham EU facilitates the resolution of transatlantic issues that impact business and plays a role in creating better understanding of EU and US positions on business matters. Aggregate US investment in Europe totalled €2 trillion in 2013 and directly supports more than 4.3 million jobs in Europe.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145024<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0259.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>January 26, 2015 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement in response to recent arrests and convictions of Malaysians under the country’s continued use of the Sedition Act:</p>  <p>“Following the recent announcement that the Sedition Act will be strengthened rather than repealed, Canada urges the Government of Malaysia to ensure that enforcement of its laws does not run contrary to its democratic principles by selectively prosecuting individuals for expressing views critical of the government or its policies.</p>  <p>“Freedom of expression is essential to any democracy, and we look forward to seeing progress on this issue.</p>  <p>“Canada values its long-standing and warm relationship with Malaysia and the Malaysian people, and we will continue to work together in pursuit of freedom, prosperity and security.”</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0259.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>January 26, 2015 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement in response to recent arrests and convictions of Malaysians under the country’s continued use of the Sedition Act:</p>  <p>“Following the recent announcement that the Sedition Act will be strengthened rather than repealed, Canada urges the Government of Malaysia to ensure that enforcement of its laws does not run contrary to its democratic principles by selectively prosecuting individuals for expressing views critical of the government or its policies.</p>  <p>“Freedom of expression is essential to any democracy, and we look forward to seeing progress on this issue.</p>  <p>“Canada values its long-standing and warm relationship with Malaysia and the Malaysian people, and we will continue to work together in pursuit of freedom, prosperity and security.”</p>  -->Entity ID - 145032<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0267.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>As you know, the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network is a network of community organisations advocating for fair trade based on human rights, labour rights and environmental sustainability. Our organisations, which together represent millions of Australians, continue to be gravely concerned about the impacts of the TransPacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) being negotiated between Australia, the US, Japan and nine other countries. The continuing failure to conclude the negotiations, which have now entered their sixth year, indicates that many governments are unable to agree that the TPP is in their national interest. A recent US Department of Agriculture study has revealed zero benefits to the Australian economy from the TPP [1]even before the significant health and environmental costs are considered. There is also mounting concern about the secrecy of the negotiations.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0267.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>As you know, the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network is a network of community organisations advocating for fair trade based on human rights, labour rights and environmental sustainability. Our organisations, which together represent millions of Australians, continue to be gravely concerned about the impacts of the TransPacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) being negotiated between Australia, the US, Japan and nine other countries. The continuing failure to conclude the negotiations, which have now entered their sixth year, indicates that many governments are unable to agree that the TPP is in their national interest. A recent US Department of Agriculture study has revealed zero benefits to the Australian economy from the TPP [1]even before the significant health and environmental costs are considered. There is also mounting concern about the secrecy of the negotiations.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145034<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0269.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>These rules are certainly one of the reasons that investment flows from Europe to China are so far below potential. We welcome China's recent steps to address some of these barriers but much more needs to be done. This deal therefore offers huge potential. Last week European and Chinese investment negotiators met in Brussels for the fourth time. The talks went well and built on the significant progress made already. In 2015 we will need to step up our efforts. As always, what matters in the end is getting to a high quality deal. That is much more important than getting a quick outcome. But the European Union is ready to work hard on this negotiation this year. I hope China is ready to join us. It is certainly an effort that will be properly repaid.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0269.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>These rules are certainly one of the reasons that investment flows from Europe to China are so far below potential. We welcome China's recent steps to address some of these barriers but much more needs to be done. This deal therefore offers huge potential. Last week European and Chinese investment negotiators met in Brussels for the fourth time. The talks went well and built on the significant progress made already. In 2015 we will need to step up our efforts. As always, what matters in the end is getting to a high quality deal. That is much more important than getting a quick outcome. But the European Union is ready to work hard on this negotiation this year. I hope China is ready to join us. It is certainly an effort that will be properly repaid.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145045<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0280.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The United States would like to thank the European Union (“EU”) for its status report and its statement today. The EU measures affecting the approval of biotech products are seriously disrupting trade in agricultural products between the United States and the EU. The EU failed to approve a single new biotech product in 2014. Furthermore, based on public statements by EU officials, it appears that the EU has decided not to make any further approvals until the EU conducts yet another re-examination of EU biotech approval measures.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0280.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The United States would like to thank the European Union (“EU”) for its status report and its statement today. The EU measures affecting the approval of biotech products are seriously disrupting trade in agricultural products between the United States and the EU. The EU failed to approve a single new biotech product in 2014. Furthermore, based on public statements by EU officials, it appears that the EU has decided not to make any further approvals until the EU conducts yet another re-examination of EU biotech approval measures.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145047<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0282.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The three co-complainants in these disputes (European Union, Japan and the United States) welcomed the finding that Argentina's measures were in clear breach of its WTO obligations. The measures at issue were the unwritten trade-related requirements measure (such as a request to importing companies to export at least as much as they import or to increase the local content of products made in Argentina), and the Advance Sworn Import Declaration procedure (which does not automatically lead to a right to import and constitutes an import restriction). The co-complainants welcomed the fact that these measures were found to constitute restrictions on the importation of goods and were thus inconsistent with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0282.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The three co-complainants in these disputes (European Union, Japan and the United States) welcomed the finding that Argentina's measures were in clear breach of its WTO obligations. The measures at issue were the unwritten trade-related requirements measure (such as a request to importing companies to export at least as much as they import or to increase the local content of products made in Argentina), and the Advance Sworn Import Declaration procedure (which does not automatically lead to a right to import and constitutes an import restriction). The co-complainants welcomed the fact that these measures were found to constitute restrictions on the importation of goods and were thus inconsistent with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145052<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0287.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>We also know that this is not the first time export led growth has been successful. Before China came the four Asian tigers and before them came Japan – all countries where exports to the developed world fuelled prosperity. What these older stories also show us is that trade-led growth also leads to improved living and working conditions over time. We are seeing this again now as wages in China rise - at an official average of 12% between 2000 and 2010. This is the fundamental logic. That trade can help people improve their standard of living over time. And this is why the European Union sees trade as an essential part of our strategy to encourage economic development around the world: We give developing countries preferential access to our 500 million-consumer market, focusing</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0287.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>We also know that this is not the first time export led growth has been successful. Before China came the four Asian tigers and before them came Japan – all countries where exports to the developed world fuelled prosperity. What these older stories also show us is that trade-led growth also leads to improved living and working conditions over time. We are seeing this again now as wages in China rise - at an official average of 12% between 2000 and 2010. This is the fundamental logic. That trade can help people improve their standard of living over time. And this is why the European Union sees trade as an essential part of our strategy to encourage economic development around the world: We give developing countries preferential access to our 500 million-consumer market, focusing</p>  -->Entity ID - 145054<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0303.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Congratulations on your election as chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees. We look forward to working with you on a broad range of issues before your committees in the future, but today we strongly urge you to work together in a bipartisan, bicameral fashion to craft a path forward for the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) as soon as possible. Passage of the MTB would eliminate or reduce import duties on potentially thousands of raw materials, intermediate and other products that are not available in the United States. For three decades on a bipartisan basis, Congress has approved this critical jobs bill, which currently enjoys broad bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. The MTB is exactly the type of legislation Congress needs to consider without delay; it cuts costs for America’s job creators and strengthens their competitiveness in a challenging global economy.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0303.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Congratulations on your election as chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees. We look forward to working with you on a broad range of issues before your committees in the future, but today we strongly urge you to work together in a bipartisan, bicameral fashion to craft a path forward for the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) as soon as possible. Passage of the MTB would eliminate or reduce import duties on potentially thousands of raw materials, intermediate and other products that are not available in the United States. For three decades on a bipartisan basis, Congress has approved this critical jobs bill, which currently enjoys broad bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. The MTB is exactly the type of legislation Congress needs to consider without delay; it cuts costs for America’s job creators and strengthens their competitiveness in a challenging global economy.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145055<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0290.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>On January 26, 2015, the first meeting of China-Indonesia high-level economic dialogue was held in Beijing. State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs (deputy prime ministerial level) Sofyan Djalil of Indonesia co-chaired the meeting with a view to implementing the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and they exchanged in-depth views on major cooperation topics such as bilateral economy, trade and investment. Both sides agreed that China-Indonesia economic and trade cooperation has yielded fruitful results in recent years. The proposal of co-constructing the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road put forward by President Xi Jinping and the strategic concept of building a maritime power proposed by President Joko Widodo of Indonesia share broad strategic integrating points, providing a vast space for the two sides to deepen practical cooperation in all fields and advance the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.<br /> <br /></p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0290.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>On January 26, 2015, the first meeting of China-Indonesia high-level economic dialogue was held in Beijing. State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs (deputy prime ministerial level) Sofyan Djalil of Indonesia co-chaired the meeting with a view to implementing the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and they exchanged in-depth views on major cooperation topics such as bilateral economy, trade and investment. Both sides agreed that China-Indonesia economic and trade cooperation has yielded fruitful results in recent years. The proposal of co-constructing the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road put forward by President Xi Jinping and the strategic concept of building a maritime power proposed by President Joko Widodo of Indonesia share broad strategic integrating points, providing a vast space for the two sides to deepen practical cooperation in all fields and advance the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.<br /> <br /></p>  -->Entity ID - 145056<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0291.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Jakarta, 26 January 2015 – The Indonesian Minister of Trade, Rachmat Gobel, emphasized that Indonesia’s trade representatives abroad will be the spearhead of the national export increase. The Indonesian Ministry of Trade has targeted a 300% increase in exports in the next five years until 2019. “The trade representatives overseas such as the Trade Attachés and Indonesia Trade and Promotion</p>  <p>Center (ITPC) have to play an active and innovative role in increasing exports in their respective accredited countries. They have to be able to coordinate an increase in exports together with stakeholders, both domestically and abroad,” asserted the Trade Minister, Rachmat Gobel, at the pre- Working Meeting of the Ministry of Trade at the Ministry of Trade Building on Monday (26/1) today.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0291.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Jakarta, 26 January 2015 – The Indonesian Minister of Trade, Rachmat Gobel, emphasized that Indonesia’s trade representatives abroad will be the spearhead of the national export increase. The Indonesian Ministry of Trade has targeted a 300% increase in exports in the next five years until 2019. “The trade representatives overseas such as the Trade Attachés and Indonesia Trade and Promotion</p>  <p>Center (ITPC) have to play an active and innovative role in increasing exports in their respective accredited countries. They have to be able to coordinate an increase in exports together with stakeholders, both domestically and abroad,” asserted the Trade Minister, Rachmat Gobel, at the pre- Working Meeting of the Ministry of Trade at the Ministry of Trade Building on Monday (26/1) today.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145063<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0298.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>WASHINGTON – U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Stefan M. Selig today announced that the U.S. Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA) and the Aerospace States Association (ASA) will co-sponsor the inaugural National Aerospace Foreign Direct Investment Exposition (FDI Expo), October 26-28, in Los Angeles. It is the first-ever event designed to highlight opportunities in the U.S. aerospace manufacturing sector for foreign investment, building on the success of the Department’s SelectUSA program.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0298.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>WASHINGTON – U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Stefan M. Selig today announced that the U.S. Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA) and the Aerospace States Association (ASA) will co-sponsor the inaugural National Aerospace Foreign Direct Investment Exposition (FDI Expo), October 26-28, in Los Angeles. It is the first-ever event designed to highlight opportunities in the U.S. aerospace manufacturing sector for foreign investment, building on the success of the Department’s SelectUSA program.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145064<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0299.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The U.S. Department of Commerce’s (DOC) International Trade Administration (ITA) is seeking representatives from up to 25 qualified U.S. companies to join Japanese industry counterparts for a U.S.-Japan Renewable Energy Policy Business Roundtable (Business Roundtable) on Monday, February 23 in Tokyo, Japan. Senior level officials from DOC, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) will attend the Roundtable to provide policy updates, as well as to ensure that the exchange of views among the companies will be taken into consideration in the U.S-Japan Clean Energy Policy Dialogue (CEPD) that will be held during the same week and in other bilateral meetings throughout the year. U.S. firms will also be given an opportunity to network with Japanese firms<br /> <br /></p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0299.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The U.S. Department of Commerce’s (DOC) International Trade Administration (ITA) is seeking representatives from up to 25 qualified U.S. companies to join Japanese industry counterparts for a U.S.-Japan Renewable Energy Policy Business Roundtable (Business Roundtable) on Monday, February 23 in Tokyo, Japan. Senior level officials from DOC, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) will attend the Roundtable to provide policy updates, as well as to ensure that the exchange of views among the companies will be taken into consideration in the U.S-Japan Clean Energy Policy Dialogue (CEPD) that will be held during the same week and in other bilateral meetings throughout the year. U.S. firms will also be given an opportunity to network with Japanese firms<br /> <br /></p>  -->Entity ID - 145066<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0301.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The International Trade Administration is coordinating with the State of Zacatecas to organize a trade mission to Zacatecas, Mexico from June 1-2, 2015. This business development mission will promote U.S. exports to Mexico by helping export-ready U.S. companies launch or increase their business in the Mining Equipment and Mining Services sector. Participating firms will gain market information, make business and government contacts, solidify business strategies, and/or advance specific projects. In each of these targeted sectors, participating U.S. companies will meet with prescreened local partners, agents, distributors, representatives, and licensees. The agenda will also include meetings with high-level local government officials, networking opportunities, country briefings, and seminars.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0301.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The International Trade Administration is coordinating with the State of Zacatecas to organize a trade mission to Zacatecas, Mexico from June 1-2, 2015. This business development mission will promote U.S. exports to Mexico by helping export-ready U.S. companies launch or increase their business in the Mining Equipment and Mining Services sector. Participating firms will gain market information, make business and government contacts, solidify business strategies, and/or advance specific projects. In each of these targeted sectors, participating U.S. companies will meet with prescreened local partners, agents, distributors, representatives, and licensees. The agenda will also include meetings with high-level local government officials, networking opportunities, country briefings, and seminars.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145068<br /><p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0304.pdf</p><p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0304.pdf</p>Entity ID - 145073<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0309.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The undersigned trade associations, representing leading segments of the global business community, request urgent discussion and dialogue regarding the growing trend of Chinese government policies requiring use of “secure and controllable” or Chinese- developed and/or controlled Internet and information communications technology (ICT) products, solutions, and services based on “cybersecurity” justifications. Internet and ICT technologies have the most globalized supply chains of any industry, and China is an integral and inseparable part of this ecosystem. It is one of the world’s largest ICT markets and home to many global Internet and ICT firms’ research, development, and supply chains. These technologies play an increasingly critical role in growth of economies around the world, just as they impact China’s broader economic, social, environmental development, and reform agendas. As such, cybersecurity policies in China have significant impact on the global ICT ecosystem and on the global economy.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0309.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The undersigned trade associations, representing leading segments of the global business community, request urgent discussion and dialogue regarding the growing trend of Chinese government policies requiring use of “secure and controllable” or Chinese- developed and/or controlled Internet and information communications technology (ICT) products, solutions, and services based on “cybersecurity” justifications. Internet and ICT technologies have the most globalized supply chains of any industry, and China is an integral and inseparable part of this ecosystem. It is one of the world’s largest ICT markets and home to many global Internet and ICT firms’ research, development, and supply chains. These technologies play an increasingly critical role in growth of economies around the world, just as they impact China’s broader economic, social, environmental development, and reform agendas. As such, cybersecurity policies in China have significant impact on the global ICT ecosystem and on the global economy.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145074<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0310.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Reproduced herewith is the semi-annual report for the period 1 July-31 December 2014 from China. Grain Oriented Flat-rolled Electrical Steel; ID:09-0001Broiler Products; ID:09-0002Solar-grade Polysilicon; ID:12-0007</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0310.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Reproduced herewith is the semi-annual report for the period 1 July-31 December 2014 from China. Grain Oriented Flat-rolled Electrical Steel; ID:09-0001Broiler Products; ID:09-0002Solar-grade Polysilicon; ID:12-0007</p>  -->Entity ID - 145075<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0311.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>ARLINGTON, VA – The new 114th Congress will feature a large and active group of House members looking out for the interests of dairy farmers, according to the National Milk Producers Federation. A bipartisan group of legislators is reestablishing the six-year-old congressional Dairy Farmer caucus, and NMPF expects the new group to be even larger than the Dairy Farmer caucus in the 113th Congress. “The 85-member caucus in 2013-14 was nearly one-fifth of the House,” said NMPF Vice President for Government Relations John Hollay. “We expect the 2015 caucus will be at least that large.” Hollay added that the dairy group is one of the most bipartisan and regionally diverse of the many caucuses in Congress.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0311.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>ARLINGTON, VA – The new 114th Congress will feature a large and active group of House members looking out for the interests of dairy farmers, according to the National Milk Producers Federation. A bipartisan group of legislators is reestablishing the six-year-old congressional Dairy Farmer caucus, and NMPF expects the new group to be even larger than the Dairy Farmer caucus in the 113th Congress. “The 85-member caucus in 2013-14 was nearly one-fifth of the House,” said NMPF Vice President for Government Relations John Hollay. “We expect the 2015 caucus will be at least that large.” Hollay added that the dairy group is one of the most bipartisan and regionally diverse of the many caucuses in Congress.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145076<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0312.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>This final rule amends DFARS 225.401–70 to update the descriptions of the Federal supply groups, now identified as product service groups (PSGs), to conform to the Federal Procurement Data System Product and Service Codes Manual, August 2011 Edition. DFARS 225.401–70 lists end products that are subject to trade agreements when acquired by DoD  There are no changes to the groups covered; however, a number of the PSG descriptions are updated in order to better reflect product coverage. The World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement, Free Trade Agreement, and other designated countries will continue to have guaranteed access to the goods committed under U.S. international agreements. The revised descriptions more clearly include some new items that were not previously mentioned in the descriptions, even though includedin the product service group.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0312.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>This final rule amends DFARS 225.401–70 to update the descriptions of the Federal supply groups, now identified as product service groups (PSGs), to conform to the Federal Procurement Data System Product and Service Codes Manual, August 2011 Edition. DFARS 225.401–70 lists end products that are subject to trade agreements when acquired by DoD  There are no changes to the groups covered; however, a number of the PSG descriptions are updated in order to better reflect product coverage. The World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement, Free Trade Agreement, and other designated countries will continue to have guaranteed access to the goods committed under U.S. international agreements. The revised descriptions more clearly include some new items that were not previously mentioned in the descriptions, even though includedin the product service group.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145079<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0315.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, in the State of the Union Address, the President outlined some areas where common ground can be found to work with Congress. One important area is trade. I agree with the President that we should move forward on trade agreements to create jobs for our workers as we expand exports to help our manufacturers, our ranchers, and our farmers. With the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, we will allow American companies to sell our goods and services in the emerging markets of Asia and create jobs here at home. A new trade agreement with Europe to help streamline and modernize standards and regulations will level the playing field for American companies.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0315.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, in the State of the Union Address, the President outlined some areas where common ground can be found to work with Congress. One important area is trade. I agree with the President that we should move forward on trade agreements to create jobs for our workers as we expand exports to help our manufacturers, our ranchers, and our farmers. With the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, we will allow American companies to sell our goods and services in the emerging markets of Asia and create jobs here at home. A new trade agreement with Europe to help streamline and modernize standards and regulations will level the playing field for American companies.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145088<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0324.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>1) Investment protection and development of an investment environment The Agreement stipulates rules for investment protection and development of an investment environment. Improving the legal stability of the investment environment in Uruguay is expected to facilitate investment activities by Japanese enterprises in the country. 2) Strengthening the Japan-Uruguay relationship Among South American countries, Uruguay has the highest GDP per capita in addition to the lowest level of political corruption. This Agreement is the first investment agreement between Japan and a member country of MERCOSUR. As Uruguay serves as a distribution hub for MERCOSUR’s impressive market, many Japanese companies are highly interested in the country as an overseas base through which to develop business. Considering this situation, the agreement is expected to contribute to strengthening the bilateral economic relationship.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0324.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>1) Investment protection and development of an investment environment The Agreement stipulates rules for investment protection and development of an investment environment. Improving the legal stability of the investment environment in Uruguay is expected to facilitate investment activities by Japanese enterprises in the country. 2) Strengthening the Japan-Uruguay relationship Among South American countries, Uruguay has the highest GDP per capita in addition to the lowest level of political corruption. This Agreement is the first investment agreement between Japan and a member country of MERCOSUR. As Uruguay serves as a distribution hub for MERCOSUR’s impressive market, many Japanese companies are highly interested in the country as an overseas base through which to develop business. Considering this situation, the agreement is expected to contribute to strengthening the bilateral economic relationship.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145089<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0325.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>SUMMARY: We are amending the regulations concerning the importation of citrus fruit to allow the importation of commercial consignments of two Unshu orange hybrids from the Republic of Korea into the continental United States. These hybrids will be eligible for importation into the continental United States subject to the existing conditions for the importation of Unshu oranges from the Republic of Korea. We also are making one minor change to the existing regulations by adding an explicit statement that only commercial consignments of Unshu oranges will be eligible for importation into the continental United States. These changes will remove the prohibition on the importation of Unshu orange hybrids that can safely enter the United States, provided that certain conditions are met, and will codify an existing requirement</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0325.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>SUMMARY: We are amending the regulations concerning the importation of citrus fruit to allow the importation of commercial consignments of two Unshu orange hybrids from the Republic of Korea into the continental United States. These hybrids will be eligible for importation into the continental United States subject to the existing conditions for the importation of Unshu oranges from the Republic of Korea. We also are making one minor change to the existing regulations by adding an explicit statement that only commercial consignments of Unshu oranges will be eligible for importation into the continental United States. These changes will remove the prohibition on the importation of Unshu orange hybrids that can safely enter the United States, provided that certain conditions are met, and will codify an existing requirement</p>  -->Entity ID - 145092<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0328.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>During his State of the Union address, President Obama noted that “21st century businesses, including small businesses, need to sell more American products overseas. … 95 percent of the world’s customers live outside our borders, and we can’t close ourselves off from those opportunities.” Today, 98 percent of American companies that export are small businesses, but more than half of our exporters are only selling to one foreign market, usually Canada or Mexico.  It’s time to take action to help more entrepreneurs reach new markets for their goods and services.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0328.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>During his State of the Union address, President Obama noted that “21st century businesses, including small businesses, need to sell more American products overseas. … 95 percent of the world’s customers live outside our borders, and we can’t close ourselves off from those opportunities.” Today, 98 percent of American companies that export are small businesses, but more than half of our exporters are only selling to one foreign market, usually Canada or Mexico.  It’s time to take action to help more entrepreneurs reach new markets for their goods and services.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145096<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0332.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Two of the most important developments affecting world energy markets in recent years—the Fukushima nuclear accident in March 2011 and the shale gas boom that has made the United States the world’s largest producer of oil and gas—have put a spotlight on future trends in U.S.-Japan energy trade. These developments have led to considerable speculation about the opportunities and obstacles for increased energy trade between the United States and Japan, and what role the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) might have in expanding their energy relationship. For Japan, the decision to shut down its nuclear plants after Fukushima and forgo nuclear power resulted in record levels of coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports. Meanwhile, the United States has suddenly pivoted from being a major net energy importer to an emerging exporter of oil and gas as well as coal. This has led to an intense policy debate in the United States over energy exports and an even more heated debate in Japan over the future role of nuclear power.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0332.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Two of the most important developments affecting world energy markets in recent years—the Fukushima nuclear accident in March 2011 and the shale gas boom that has made the United States the world’s largest producer of oil and gas—have put a spotlight on future trends in U.S.-Japan energy trade. These developments have led to considerable speculation about the opportunities and obstacles for increased energy trade between the United States and Japan, and what role the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) might have in expanding their energy relationship. For Japan, the decision to shut down its nuclear plants after Fukushima and forgo nuclear power resulted in record levels of coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports. Meanwhile, the United States has suddenly pivoted from being a major net energy importer to an emerging exporter of oil and gas as well as coal. This has led to an intense policy debate in the United States over energy exports and an even more heated debate in Japan over the future role of nuclear power.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145101<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0337.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>At a meeting of all members today (29 January) Director-General Roberto Azevêdo reported that the first week of intensive negotiations to agree a work programme on the remaining Doha Development Agenda issues had seen good progress and strong engagement. The Director- General launched this intensified process at an open-ended meeting of all members on 21 January “We have made more progress in a week than we did in the first six months of 2014. There are some significant positives which we can take from our work so far. Members have started to go into more detail and to engage on the substance. While substantive positions haven’t changed a great deal since last time these issues were discussed, it is clear to me that the tone of the discussion has changed. Despite the gaps between positions, I sensed a desire to overcome them.”</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0337.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>At a meeting of all members today (29 January) Director-General Roberto Azevêdo reported that the first week of intensive negotiations to agree a work programme on the remaining Doha Development Agenda issues had seen good progress and strong engagement. The Director- General launched this intensified process at an open-ended meeting of all members on 21 January “We have made more progress in a week than we did in the first six months of 2014. There are some significant positives which we can take from our work so far. Members have started to go into more detail and to engage on the substance. While substantive positions haven’t changed a great deal since last time these issues were discussed, it is clear to me that the tone of the discussion has changed. Despite the gaps between positions, I sensed a desire to overcome them.”</p>  -->Entity ID - 145108<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0344.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>SUMMARY: In December 2009, the Governments of the United States and Turkey agreed to establish a U.S.-Turkey Business Council. This notice announces membership opportunities for appointment as American representatives to the U.S. Section of the Council. The current U.S. Section term expired on November 5, 2014. The Council is intended to facilitate the exchange of information and encourage bilateral discussions of business and economic issues, including promoting bilateral trade and investment and improving the business climate in each country. The Council brings together the respective business communities of the United States and Turkey to discuss such issues of mutual interest and to communicate their joint recommendations to the U.S. and Turkish Governments. The Council consists of the U.S. and Turkish co-chairs and a Committee comprised of private sector members. The Committee is composed of two Sections of</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0344.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>SUMMARY: In December 2009, the Governments of the United States and Turkey agreed to establish a U.S.-Turkey Business Council. This notice announces membership opportunities for appointment as American representatives to the U.S. Section of the Council. The current U.S. Section term expired on November 5, 2014. The Council is intended to facilitate the exchange of information and encourage bilateral discussions of business and economic issues, including promoting bilateral trade and investment and improving the business climate in each country. The Council brings together the respective business communities of the United States and Turkey to discuss such issues of mutual interest and to communicate their joint recommendations to the U.S. and Turkish Governments. The Council consists of the U.S. and Turkish co-chairs and a Committee comprised of private sector members. The Committee is composed of two Sections of</p>  -->Entity ID - 145110<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0346.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The United States will provide over $400 million of the $1 billion to promote trade facilitation, promote transport and customs/border integration, promote more efficient and sustainable energy, reduce poverty, enhance workforce development, facilitate business development and help small businesses create jobs, link Central American and North American markets, and strengthen Central American regional institutions. Examples of current and planned activities include: · Agencies will provide the region with trade facilitation, trade capacity building, and technical support to promote efficient movement of goods across borders in a safe and secure framework, support integration of regional value chains, and strengthen competitiveness to grow trade and economic prosperity and work to improve workers’ rights and conditions. The export of goods to the United States from CAFTA-DR countries increased 66.7 percent since 2005, totaling $30.1 billion in 2013</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0346.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The United States will provide over $400 million of the $1 billion to promote trade facilitation, promote transport and customs/border integration, promote more efficient and sustainable energy, reduce poverty, enhance workforce development, facilitate business development and help small businesses create jobs, link Central American and North American markets, and strengthen Central American regional institutions. Examples of current and planned activities include: · Agencies will provide the region with trade facilitation, trade capacity building, and technical support to promote efficient movement of goods across borders in a safe and secure framework, support integration of regional value chains, and strengthen competitiveness to grow trade and economic prosperity and work to improve workers’ rights and conditions. The export of goods to the United States from CAFTA-DR countries increased 66.7 percent since 2005, totaling $30.1 billion in 2013</p>  -->Entity ID - 145117<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0353.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced the award of an $8 million cooperative agreement to the International Labor Organization to implement a technical cooperation project to prevent and reduce child labor in Vietnam. This project will be undertaken in coordination with the Government of Vietnam. "2015 marks the 15th year of our bilateral cooperation on labor issues with the Government of Vietnam," said Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs, Carol Pier. "The Government of Vietnam has taken great strides to enhance national and local capacity to address child labor, and the funding of this project highlights our continued partnership and underlines our commitment to provide assistance to vulnerable children and their families."</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=jan2015/wto2015_0353.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced the award of an $8 million cooperative agreement to the International Labor Organization to implement a technical cooperation project to prevent and reduce child labor in Vietnam. This project will be undertaken in coordination with the Government of Vietnam. "2015 marks the 15th year of our bilateral cooperation on labor issues with the Government of Vietnam," said Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs, Carol Pier. "The Government of Vietnam has taken great strides to enhance national and local capacity to address child labor, and the funding of this project highlights our continued partnership and underlines our commitment to provide assistance to vulnerable children and their families."</p>  -->Entity ID - 145121<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0357.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Background: The CINTAC was established under the discretionary authority of the Secretary of Commerce and in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), in response to an identified need for consensus advice from U.S. industry to the U.S. Government regarding the development and administration of programs to expand United States exports of civil nuclear goods and services in accordance with applicable U.S. laws and regulations, including advice on how U.S. civil nuclear goods and services export policies, programs, and activities will affect the U.S. civil nuclear industry’s competitiveness and ability to participate in the international market</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0357.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Background: The CINTAC was established under the discretionary authority of the Secretary of Commerce and in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), in response to an identified need for consensus advice from U.S. industry to the U.S. Government regarding the development and administration of programs to expand United States exports of civil nuclear goods and services in accordance with applicable U.S. laws and regulations, including advice on how U.S. civil nuclear goods and services export policies, programs, and activities will affect the U.S. civil nuclear industry’s competitiveness and ability to participate in the international market</p>  -->Entity ID - 145122<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0358.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Background: The CINTAC was established under the discretionary authority of the Secretary of Commerce and in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), in response to an identified need for consensus advice from U.S. industry to the U.S. Government regarding the development and administration of programs to expand United States exports of civil nuclear goods and services in accordance with applicable U.S. laws and regulations, including advice on how U.S. civil nuclear goods and services export policies, programs, and activities will affect the U.S. civil nuclear industry’s competitiveness and ability to participate in the international market</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0358.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Background: The CINTAC was established under the discretionary authority of the Secretary of Commerce and in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), in response to an identified need for consensus advice from U.S. industry to the U.S. Government regarding the development and administration of programs to expand United States exports of civil nuclear goods and services in accordance with applicable U.S. laws and regulations, including advice on how U.S. civil nuclear goods and services export policies, programs, and activities will affect the U.S. civil nuclear industry’s competitiveness and ability to participate in the international market</p>  -->Entity ID - 145124<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0360.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Thank you for holding your conference in Brussels. Contacts like these are essential at a difficult time for European politics. Like it or not, many people all across this continent do not feel the political system is meeting their needs. That goes especially for European politics. Based here in Brussels, with limited coverage in national media, the European Union is easy to see as remote, even out of touch. Meetings like this one are so important because they help strengthen the connection between the European Union and the European people. And that is particularly important when it comes to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership or TTIP for short.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0360.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Thank you for holding your conference in Brussels. Contacts like these are essential at a difficult time for European politics. Like it or not, many people all across this continent do not feel the political system is meeting their needs. That goes especially for European politics. Based here in Brussels, with limited coverage in national media, the European Union is easy to see as remote, even out of touch. Meetings like this one are so important because they help strengthen the connection between the European Union and the European people. And that is particularly important when it comes to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership or TTIP for short.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145127<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0363.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Questions regarding notified programs: 3.1 Tax credit to promote research Please explain whether all "Industrial, commercial and agricultural enterprises" are eligible for tax concessions under this program? If there are limitations regarding eligibility, please explain what those are, including any limitations regarding the size of eligible enterprises? Reply The tax credit to promote research (CIR) is a general measure applying to enterprises in all economic sectors that are engaged in research and development. The rate of the CIR varies according to the amount of the investment. Did firms in the aerospace sector benefit from funding under this program during the reporting period? Reply Firms in the aeronautical sector engaged in research and development benefit from the CIR as does any other enterprise engaged in R&amp;D. 3.4 Fund for Enterprise Competitiveness Please provide additional information regarding the type of subsidy provided under this program, e.g., grant, loan, tax concession, etc.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0363.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Questions regarding notified programs: 3.1 Tax credit to promote research Please explain whether all "Industrial, commercial and agricultural enterprises" are eligible for tax concessions under this program? If there are limitations regarding eligibility, please explain what those are, including any limitations regarding the size of eligible enterprises? Reply The tax credit to promote research (CIR) is a general measure applying to enterprises in all economic sectors that are engaged in research and development. The rate of the CIR varies according to the amount of the investment. Did firms in the aerospace sector benefit from funding under this program during the reporting period? Reply Firms in the aeronautical sector engaged in research and development benefit from the CIR as does any other enterprise engaged in R&amp;D. 3.4 Fund for Enterprise Competitiveness Please provide additional information regarding the type of subsidy provided under this program, e.g., grant, loan, tax concession, etc.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145128<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0364.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Delegation of Canada. Question 1 2.2 Energy Conservation Programs – Transportation Sector Could the U.S. provide more information on who are the actual users of this program? Question 2 2.7 Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program (ATVM) Could the U.S. provide more information on the terms of the loan program, including interest rates and length of the loans available? Question 3 3.10 Advanced Energy Property Credit This program provides a 30% credit for investment in qualified property used in a qualified advanced energy manufacturing project. Could the U.S. indicate whether there is a cap per project?</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0364.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Delegation of Canada. Question 1 2.2 Energy Conservation Programs – Transportation Sector Could the U.S. provide more information on who are the actual users of this program? Question 2 2.7 Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program (ATVM) Could the U.S. provide more information on the terms of the loan program, including interest rates and length of the loans available? Question 3 3.10 Advanced Energy Property Credit This program provides a 30% credit for investment in qualified property used in a qualified advanced energy manufacturing project. Could the U.S. indicate whether there is a cap per project?</p>  -->Entity ID - 145129<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0365.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>President Obama will host Chancellor Angela Merkel at the White House on Monday, February 9. Chancellor Merkel’s visit highlights the importance of U.S.-German cooperation on global affairs and the strong and abiding friendship between the United States and Germany. The President and Chancellor Merkel will have a meeting in the Oval Office followed by a working lunch. The two leaders will discuss a range of issues including Ukraine, Russia, counterterrorism, ISIL, Afghanistan, and Iran. They will also cover economic growth, international trade, climate change and Germany’s plans for hosting the G-7 Summit in June. Germany is a close and valued ally, partner, and friend of the United States, and the President looks forward to welcoming Chancellor Merkel back to the White House.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0365.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>President Obama will host Chancellor Angela Merkel at the White House on Monday, February 9. Chancellor Merkel’s visit highlights the importance of U.S.-German cooperation on global affairs and the strong and abiding friendship between the United States and Germany. The President and Chancellor Merkel will have a meeting in the Oval Office followed by a working lunch. The two leaders will discuss a range of issues including Ukraine, Russia, counterterrorism, ISIL, Afghanistan, and Iran. They will also cover economic growth, international trade, climate change and Germany’s plans for hosting the G-7 Summit in June. Germany is a close and valued ally, partner, and friend of the United States, and the President looks forward to welcoming Chancellor Merkel back to the White House.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145133<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0369.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>“To unlock that opportunity, we’re working on multiple fronts. We’re working to lower barriers for U.S. exports so that more American businesses can export and those who are already exporting can export more. We’re working to ensure that our trading partners set standards based on science, and that they do so transparently. We’re working to make sure that our great Made-In-America products aren’t excluded from markets by policies designed to be protectionist. “That’s why we’re negotiating ambitious trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP. TPP will lower barriers for U.S. exports to 11 markets in the world, some of the fastest growing markets in the world, all together representing 40 percent of the global economy. “In 2009, there were 525 million middle-class consumers in the Asia Pacific region. That number is expected to grow to over 3 billion in by the year 2030. Put differently, in just 15 years, two out of every three middle class consumers in the world will call the Asia Pacific their home. And we know that the first thing that middle class consumers want is more protein, better nutrition, and safer foods. “So to win in the future, we need to serve not only tables here at home, we need to get into the markets where 95 percent of the global consumers live outside the United States. Right now, there are many barriers to that.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0369.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>“To unlock that opportunity, we’re working on multiple fronts. We’re working to lower barriers for U.S. exports so that more American businesses can export and those who are already exporting can export more. We’re working to ensure that our trading partners set standards based on science, and that they do so transparently. We’re working to make sure that our great Made-In-America products aren’t excluded from markets by policies designed to be protectionist. “That’s why we’re negotiating ambitious trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP. TPP will lower barriers for U.S. exports to 11 markets in the world, some of the fastest growing markets in the world, all together representing 40 percent of the global economy. “In 2009, there were 525 million middle-class consumers in the Asia Pacific region. That number is expected to grow to over 3 billion in by the year 2030. Put differently, in just 15 years, two out of every three middle class consumers in the world will call the Asia Pacific their home. And we know that the first thing that middle class consumers want is more protein, better nutrition, and safer foods. “So to win in the future, we need to serve not only tables here at home, we need to get into the markets where 95 percent of the global consumers live outside the United States. Right now, there are many barriers to that.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145135<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0371.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Recognizing the importance of trade to the United States economy and the importance of completing free trade agreements with Pacific Rim countries and the European Union. Whereas international trade is an efficient means to create private sector jobs; Whereas 38 million American jobs are supported by international trade; Whereas the United States economy exports $2.2 trillion in goods and services each year; Whereas the United States is currently negotiating the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), a free trade agreement with 11 Pacific Rim countries, including Australia, Brunei</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0371.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Recognizing the importance of trade to the United States economy and the importance of completing free trade agreements with Pacific Rim countries and the European Union. Whereas international trade is an efficient means to create private sector jobs; Whereas 38 million American jobs are supported by international trade; Whereas the United States economy exports $2.2 trillion in goods and services each year; Whereas the United States is currently negotiating the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), a free trade agreement with 11 Pacific Rim countries, including Australia, Brunei</p>  -->Entity ID - 145137<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0373.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>A top-level planning group met on Feb 1 to map out priorities to shape new trade routes in Eurasia, a move analysts say sends a clear signal to the world that the country’s major preparations are nearing completion for the so-called “Belt and Road” initiatives. Members of the Leading Group on the Construction of the Belt and Road attended a meeting on Feb 1 in Beijing that focused on the project. The idea for the Silk Road Economic Belt, a land-based trade route, and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road for shipping, was first proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013. At a year-end roundup in December, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, said that “more than 50 countries have made proactive responses” to the concept.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0373.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>A top-level planning group met on Feb 1 to map out priorities to shape new trade routes in Eurasia, a move analysts say sends a clear signal to the world that the country’s major preparations are nearing completion for the so-called “Belt and Road” initiatives. Members of the Leading Group on the Construction of the Belt and Road attended a meeting on Feb 1 in Beijing that focused on the project. The idea for the Silk Road Economic Belt, a land-based trade route, and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road for shipping, was first proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013. At a year-end roundup in December, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, said that “more than 50 countries have made proactive responses” to the concept.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145140<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0376.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Jakarta, 2 February 2015 – International Price Fluctuations has affected the determination of the Export Reference Price (<em>Harga Patokan Ekspor</em>/HPE) of Processed Mining Products subject to Export Duty (<em>Bea Keluar</em>/BK) for the period of February 2015. Compared to the determined HPE for the period of January 2015, most of the products experience a decline. This provision is written in the Minister of Trade Regulation Number 09/M-DAG/PER/1/2015, dated 23 January 2015.  <em>The decline in HPE of processed mining products was caused by the fluctuations of international prices of the said mining products,” </em>explained Director General of Foreign Trade, Partogi Pangaribuan, in Jakarta on Wednesday (28/01).  The processed mining products that are subjected to export duty are copper concentrate, zinc concentrate, lead concentrate, iron concentrate, manganese concentrate, ilmenite concentrate, and other titanium concentrates. The base price for the HPE calculation referred to the Asian Metal information center for iron concentrate and manganese concentrate while for copper concentrate, lead concentrate, and zinc concentrate; calculations were based on the London Metal Exchange (LME).</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0376.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Jakarta, 2 February 2015 – International Price Fluctuations has affected the determination of the Export Reference Price (<em>Harga Patokan Ekspor</em>/HPE) of Processed Mining Products subject to Export Duty (<em>Bea Keluar</em>/BK) for the period of February 2015. Compared to the determined HPE for the period of January 2015, most of the products experience a decline. This provision is written in the Minister of Trade Regulation Number 09/M-DAG/PER/1/2015, dated 23 January 2015.  <em>The decline in HPE of processed mining products was caused by the fluctuations of international prices of the said mining products,” </em>explained Director General of Foreign Trade, Partogi Pangaribuan, in Jakarta on Wednesday (28/01).  The processed mining products that are subjected to export duty are copper concentrate, zinc concentrate, lead concentrate, iron concentrate, manganese concentrate, ilmenite concentrate, and other titanium concentrates. The base price for the HPE calculation referred to the Asian Metal information center for iron concentrate and manganese concentrate while for copper concentrate, lead concentrate, and zinc concentrate; calculations were based on the London Metal Exchange (LME).</p>  -->Entity ID - 145141<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0377.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The State Council released a circular on Feb 3 which aims to promote the implementation of China’s customs clearance reform plan. The plan calls for customs clearance coordination between inland, coastal and border areas. It also requires customs authorities around the country to exchange information, accept mutual supervision and help each other in law enforcement — so as to streamline customs clearance procedures and increase efficiency and security measures related to customs. Additionally, the plan aims to develop a customs administration system by 2020 which answers China’s special needs and sustains international competitive advantage. It stresses cooperation among customs authorities around the country to prevent terrorism, tax rebate fraud, quarantine inspection avoidance, illegal immigration and imports of unsafe and fake goods — and also aims to promote cooperation in emergencies and cracking down on smuggling.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0377.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The State Council released a circular on Feb 3 which aims to promote the implementation of China’s customs clearance reform plan. The plan calls for customs clearance coordination between inland, coastal and border areas. It also requires customs authorities around the country to exchange information, accept mutual supervision and help each other in law enforcement — so as to streamline customs clearance procedures and increase efficiency and security measures related to customs. Additionally, the plan aims to develop a customs administration system by 2020 which answers China’s special needs and sustains international competitive advantage. It stresses cooperation among customs authorities around the country to prevent terrorism, tax rebate fraud, quarantine inspection avoidance, illegal immigration and imports of unsafe and fake goods — and also aims to promote cooperation in emergencies and cracking down on smuggling.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145142<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0378.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The African swine fever situation continues to worsen and up to date the total number of outbreaks in European Union countries, Ukraine and Belarus corresponds to 287. The main reasons for the disease spread and establishment are associated with the presence of large uncontrolled boar populations as well as a great number of small farms with a low level of bio-sanitary protection. Unfortunately, Veterinary Services of disease-affected countries did not take into account the negative experience of the Russian Veterinary Service and made it possible for the agent to establish first in the population of wild susceptible animals and then to spread as a result of uncontrolled movements of infected products. The epidemic situation in Belarus is still unclear. Officially Belarusian Veterinary Services notified the World Organisation for Animal Health about two ASF outbreaks registered in the population of domestic swine in 2013. At the same time new outbreaks of the disease in both wild boar and domestic swine populations are regularly registered in neighboring regions of bordering Belarus countries. Additional issues are generated by regular detection by Russian specialists of ASF virus genome in finished products produced by Belarusian meat processers</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0378.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The African swine fever situation continues to worsen and up to date the total number of outbreaks in European Union countries, Ukraine and Belarus corresponds to 287. The main reasons for the disease spread and establishment are associated with the presence of large uncontrolled boar populations as well as a great number of small farms with a low level of bio-sanitary protection. Unfortunately, Veterinary Services of disease-affected countries did not take into account the negative experience of the Russian Veterinary Service and made it possible for the agent to establish first in the population of wild susceptible animals and then to spread as a result of uncontrolled movements of infected products. The epidemic situation in Belarus is still unclear. Officially Belarusian Veterinary Services notified the World Organisation for Animal Health about two ASF outbreaks registered in the population of domestic swine in 2013. At the same time new outbreaks of the disease in both wild boar and domestic swine populations are regularly registered in neighboring regions of bordering Belarus countries. Additional issues are generated by regular detection by Russian specialists of ASF virus genome in finished products produced by Belarusian meat processers</p>  -->Entity ID - 145143<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0379.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>China, India and Russia call for early talks under mechanism China, Russia and India decided to set up a consultation mechanism for Asia-Pacific affairs on Feb 2, with their foreign ministers calling for the first round of talks on the mechanism to be held soon. Their call was issued in a joint declaration after the three-way meeting in Beijing, which followed US President Barack Obama’s high-profile visit to India last week.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0379.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>China, India and Russia call for early talks under mechanism China, Russia and India decided to set up a consultation mechanism for Asia-Pacific affairs on Feb 2, with their foreign ministers calling for the first round of talks on the mechanism to be held soon. Their call was issued in a joint declaration after the three-way meeting in Beijing, which followed US President Barack Obama’s high-profile visit to India last week.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145144<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0380.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>21. Against this backdrop, which is inevitable, recent trends in trade policy actions of Members are a cause for concern. The report points out that the stock of trade restrictions introduced by WTO Members since 2008 continues to rise. Of the 2,146 trade-restrictive measures introduced since 2008, only 508 have been removed – that's about 24% of them. The total number of trade-restrictive measures still in place now stands at 1,638. The report also notes that the number of new trade-restrictive measures introduced during the period under review is quite high, at 168. The average number of new trade-restrictive measures per month is higher in this period than in any other period since October 2008. While we have also witnessed a substantial increase in the number of trade-liberalizing measures, this should not detract from the overall picture. 22. In addition, there is some evidence that, more recently, the application of trade-restrictive measures is leading to heightened friction between Members on trade issues. Aside from the increase in the number of dispute settlement panels, Members have increasingly voiced concerns regarding specific measures taken by other Members in WTO subsidiary bodies, such as the Council for Trade in Goods. In this context, Members should strive to show greater restraint in the imposition of new trade-restrictive measures, eliminate existing trade restrictions, and contribute to enhancing transparency on behind-the-border measures.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0380.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>21. Against this backdrop, which is inevitable, recent trends in trade policy actions of Members are a cause for concern. The report points out that the stock of trade restrictions introduced by WTO Members since 2008 continues to rise. Of the 2,146 trade-restrictive measures introduced since 2008, only 508 have been removed – that's about 24% of them. The total number of trade-restrictive measures still in place now stands at 1,638. The report also notes that the number of new trade-restrictive measures introduced during the period under review is quite high, at 168. The average number of new trade-restrictive measures per month is higher in this period than in any other period since October 2008. While we have also witnessed a substantial increase in the number of trade-liberalizing measures, this should not detract from the overall picture. 22. In addition, there is some evidence that, more recently, the application of trade-restrictive measures is leading to heightened friction between Members on trade issues. Aside from the increase in the number of dispute settlement panels, Members have increasingly voiced concerns regarding specific measures taken by other Members in WTO subsidiary bodies, such as the Council for Trade in Goods. In this context, Members should strive to show greater restraint in the imposition of new trade-restrictive measures, eliminate existing trade restrictions, and contribute to enhancing transparency on behind-the-border measures.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145145<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0381.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement on the resignation of John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs: “It is with great regret and affection that I today accepted the resignation of one of the finest ministers that I have had the privilege of working with, John Baird. “John has been an essential part of my ministry since 2006, when he served as President of the Treasury Board. Since then, he has been Minister of the Environment, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and, of course, Minister of Foreign Affairs.<br /> <br /></p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0381.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement on the resignation of John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs: “It is with great regret and affection that I today accepted the resignation of one of the finest ministers that I have had the privilege of working with, John Baird. “John has been an essential part of my ministry since 2006, when he served as President of the Treasury Board. Since then, he has been Minister of the Environment, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and, of course, Minister of Foreign Affairs.<br /> <br /></p>  -->Entity ID - 145148<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0384.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Thursday’s release of 2014 annual trade data will reveal that President Barack Obama’s goal of doubling exports has failed dramatically, with a growing trade deficit with Korea under the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and a burgeoning non-fossil fuel trade deficit with North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners. Even as overall export rates will be boosted by growing U.S. fuel exports, manufacturing exports are projected to stagnate. The data will show that continuing with more-of-the-same trade policies would kill more middle-class jobs, dampen wages and increase income inequality – outcomes contrary to Obama’s “middle-class economics” agenda. The abysmal trade data are likely to reinforce congressional opposition to Obama’s bid to expand the status quo trade model by Fast Tracking the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0384.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Thursday’s release of 2014 annual trade data will reveal that President Barack Obama’s goal of doubling exports has failed dramatically, with a growing trade deficit with Korea under the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and a burgeoning non-fossil fuel trade deficit with North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners. Even as overall export rates will be boosted by growing U.S. fuel exports, manufacturing exports are projected to stagnate. The data will show that continuing with more-of-the-same trade policies would kill more middle-class jobs, dampen wages and increase income inequality – outcomes contrary to Obama’s “middle-class economics” agenda. The abysmal trade data are likely to reinforce congressional opposition to Obama’s bid to expand the status quo trade model by Fast Tracking the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).</p>  -->Entity ID - 145153<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0389.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Today, House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway and members of the Agriculture Committee met with United States Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman in an Executive Briefing to discuss current trade negotiations and other trade-related issues and their impact on the agricultural sector. .S. agricultural exports have increased by more than 58 percent since 2009, setting a record with $152.5 billion in sales in fiscal year 2014. While this is positive news for the U.S. economy, there are still challenges that remain. Members of the committee asked Froman about the importance of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and status of both the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade Investment Partnership (T-TIP), as well as explored other issues relating to the World Trade Organization (WTO).</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0389.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Today, House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway and members of the Agriculture Committee met with United States Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman in an Executive Briefing to discuss current trade negotiations and other trade-related issues and their impact on the agricultural sector. .S. agricultural exports have increased by more than 58 percent since 2009, setting a record with $152.5 billion in sales in fiscal year 2014. While this is positive news for the U.S. economy, there are still challenges that remain. Members of the committee asked Froman about the importance of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and status of both the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade Investment Partnership (T-TIP), as well as explored other issues relating to the World Trade Organization (WTO).</p>  -->Entity ID - 145159<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0395.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>prioritize passage of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) as quickly as possible this year. Renewing this proven partnership between Congress and the President will facilitate negotiation and approval of trade agreements that eliminate foreign barriers and open new export opportunities for industries and workers in the United States. Across the country, trade is working for manufacturers of all sizes and for the nearly 12 million women and men they employ. Trade agreements negotiated under TPA help businesses and workers reach the 95 percent of the world’s consumers who live outside our borders. They empower industries to compete for a greater share of the $11 trillion global market for manufactured goods.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0395.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>prioritize passage of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) as quickly as possible this year. Renewing this proven partnership between Congress and the President will facilitate negotiation and approval of trade agreements that eliminate foreign barriers and open new export opportunities for industries and workers in the United States. Across the country, trade is working for manufacturers of all sizes and for the nearly 12 million women and men they employ. Trade agreements negotiated under TPA help businesses and workers reach the 95 percent of the world’s consumers who live outside our borders. They empower industries to compete for a greater share of the $11 trillion global market for manufactured goods.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145160<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0396.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Table 1 presents an overview of changes in the level of market integration in North American agriculture since the implementation of NAFTA, using the framework established in ERS’s 2005 NAFTA report (Zahniser, 2005). This framework focuses on two main characteristics of each agricultural subsector: (1) cross-border economic activity—primarily agricultural trade and intraregional FDI; and (2) the tariffs, quotas, and other barriers in place that limit cross-border trade and investment.8 Most sectors within North American agriculture now feature a high degree of integration, defined by substantial flows of cross-border trade and investment and the removal of most major barriers to trade and investment, in large part due to NAFTA. Because the agreement’s process of trade liberalization was so sweeping, very few agricultural sectors are currently marked by a medium degree of integration, defined by the presence of one or more significant barriers to trade and/or investment. Recent examples of sectors characterized by a medium degree of integration include the U.S. and Canadian wheat markets prior to the end of the single-desk trading authority of the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) and the markets adversely affected by the retaliatory tariffs applied by Mexico from March 2009 to October 2011 in conjunction with the U.S.-Mexico trucking dispute, which is now resolved. The degree of market integration is low in sectors that were excluded from NAFTA’s project of agricultural trade liberalization, such as the U.S. and Canadian dairy, poultry, and egg product sectors. Prior to NAFTA, a number of agricultural sectors, such as the U.S. and Mexican grain and oilseed sectors, had a low degree of market integration due to the presence of substantial tariffs, quotas, and other trade restrictions.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0396.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Table 1 presents an overview of changes in the level of market integration in North American agriculture since the implementation of NAFTA, using the framework established in ERS’s 2005 NAFTA report (Zahniser, 2005). This framework focuses on two main characteristics of each agricultural subsector: (1) cross-border economic activity—primarily agricultural trade and intraregional FDI; and (2) the tariffs, quotas, and other barriers in place that limit cross-border trade and investment.8 Most sectors within North American agriculture now feature a high degree of integration, defined by substantial flows of cross-border trade and investment and the removal of most major barriers to trade and investment, in large part due to NAFTA. Because the agreement’s process of trade liberalization was so sweeping, very few agricultural sectors are currently marked by a medium degree of integration, defined by the presence of one or more significant barriers to trade and/or investment. Recent examples of sectors characterized by a medium degree of integration include the U.S. and Canadian wheat markets prior to the end of the single-desk trading authority of the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) and the markets adversely affected by the retaliatory tariffs applied by Mexico from March 2009 to October 2011 in conjunction with the U.S.-Mexico trucking dispute, which is now resolved. The degree of market integration is low in sectors that were excluded from NAFTA’s project of agricultural trade liberalization, such as the U.S. and Canadian dairy, poultry, and egg product sectors. Prior to NAFTA, a number of agricultural sectors, such as the U.S. and Mexican grain and oilseed sectors, had a low degree of market integration due to the presence of substantial tariffs, quotas, and other trade restrictions.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145162<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0398.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>As one of the world’s largest currency manipulators, Japan is responsible for a substantial share of the bloated U.S. global trade deficit. Eliminating currency manipulation by about 20 developing and developed countries (including Japan) could reduce the U.S. global trade deficit by between $200 billion and $500 billion each year, which could increase overall U.S. GDP by between</p>  <p>$288 billion and $720 billion and create between 2.3 million and 5.8 million U.S. jobs. This report evaluates the impacts of Japan’s currency manipulation, specifically as manifested in the U.S. trade deficit with Japan, on the U.S. economy and jobs. It finds that currency manipulation by Japan has resulted in a large, persistent U.S. trade deficit with Japan that has displaced hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs:</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0398.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>As one of the world’s largest currency manipulators, Japan is responsible for a substantial share of the bloated U.S. global trade deficit. Eliminating currency manipulation by about 20 developing and developed countries (including Japan) could reduce the U.S. global trade deficit by between $200 billion and $500 billion each year, which could increase overall U.S. GDP by between</p>  <p>$288 billion and $720 billion and create between 2.3 million and 5.8 million U.S. jobs. This report evaluates the impacts of Japan’s currency manipulation, specifically as manifested in the U.S. trade deficit with Japan, on the U.S. economy and jobs. It finds that currency manipulation by Japan has resulted in a large, persistent U.S. trade deficit with Japan that has displaced hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs:</p>  -->Entity ID - 145165<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0401.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>In a time of slow economic recovery and unbalanced global competitiveness, Europe cannot afford long lasting infringement of WTO commitments. After years of unfruitful negotiations with the Russian Federation to address increased import tariffs (from 5% to 15%) on coated graphic paper and carton board, in violation of WTO commitments, the EU notified the WTO Secretariat of a request for consultations with the Russian Federation on 31 October 20141. After two months of unsuccessful consultations, we now ask the EU to send an official request to establish a panel to the WTO Dispute Settlement Body. The set-up of a panel in WTO, as soon as possible, is the only way to get the Russian Federation to comply with its WTO commitments and have a 5% custom duty applied on all the coated graphic paper and carton board grades.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0401.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>In a time of slow economic recovery and unbalanced global competitiveness, Europe cannot afford long lasting infringement of WTO commitments. After years of unfruitful negotiations with the Russian Federation to address increased import tariffs (from 5% to 15%) on coated graphic paper and carton board, in violation of WTO commitments, the EU notified the WTO Secretariat of a request for consultations with the Russian Federation on 31 October 20141. After two months of unsuccessful consultations, we now ask the EU to send an official request to establish a panel to the WTO Dispute Settlement Body. The set-up of a panel in WTO, as soon as possible, is the only way to get the Russian Federation to comply with its WTO commitments and have a 5% custom duty applied on all the coated graphic paper and carton board grades.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145169<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0405.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>and create jobs. We need pay equity for women workers. It is not acceptable that women are making 78 cents to the dollar for men who are doing the same work. We need to address the scandal of overtime right now, where we have so-called supervisors at McDonald’s who work 50, 60 hours a week, but because they are so-called supervisors do not get time and a half. We need to make college affordable for all of our workers. In a global economy we need the best educated workforce in the world, not the one where people cannot afford a higher education. We need trade policies that benefit working people and not just large multinational corporations, which is why we should defeat the Trans-Pacific Partnership.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0405.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>and create jobs. We need pay equity for women workers. It is not acceptable that women are making 78 cents to the dollar for men who are doing the same work. We need to address the scandal of overtime right now, where we have so-called supervisors at McDonald’s who work 50, 60 hours a week, but because they are so-called supervisors do not get time and a half. We need to make college affordable for all of our workers. In a global economy we need the best educated workforce in the world, not the one where people cannot afford a higher education. We need trade policies that benefit working people and not just large multinational corporations, which is why we should defeat the Trans-Pacific Partnership.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145172<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0408.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>In Brussels, the Vice President will meet with European Parliament President Martin Schulz and the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament. The Vice President will meet with European Council President Donald Tusk, and then will meet jointly with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Vice President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. In all of his meetings with European Union leaders, the Vice President will discuss the conflict between Russia and Ukraine; energy security; the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) and policies to promote economic growth; counterterrorism cooperation and countering violent extremism; as well as other global issues. The Vice President will also meet with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, with whom he will discuss bilateral relations, countering violent extremism, T-TIP and a host of global issues including the coalition effort to degrade and destroy ISI</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0408.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>In Brussels, the Vice President will meet with European Parliament President Martin Schulz and the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament. The Vice President will meet with European Council President Donald Tusk, and then will meet jointly with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Vice President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. In all of his meetings with European Union leaders, the Vice President will discuss the conflict between Russia and Ukraine; energy security; the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) and policies to promote economic growth; counterterrorism cooperation and countering violent extremism; as well as other global issues. The Vice President will also meet with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, with whom he will discuss bilateral relations, countering violent extremism, T-TIP and a host of global issues including the coalition effort to degrade and destroy ISI</p>  -->Entity ID - 145183<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0419.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>International Trade in Services . EU surplus up to almost €180 bn in 2013  Of which a third with EFTA countries  EU1 international trade in services increased in 2013, with EU exports of services to the rest of the world rising by 5%, from €676 billion in 2012 to €710 bn in 2013, and EU imports by 3%, from €515 bn to €532 bn. As a result, the EU surplus in trade in services increased in 2013 to €178 bn, compared with +€161 bn in 2012.  These data, issued by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, are compiled for the first time according to the new methodology2 of balance of payments statistics. They are subject to revision3.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0419.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>International Trade in Services . EU surplus up to almost €180 bn in 2013  Of which a third with EFTA countries  EU1 international trade in services increased in 2013, with EU exports of services to the rest of the world rising by 5%, from €676 billion in 2012 to €710 bn in 2013, and EU imports by 3%, from €515 bn to €532 bn. As a result, the EU surplus in trade in services increased in 2013 to €178 bn, compared with +€161 bn in 2012.  These data, issued by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, are compiled for the first time according to the new methodology2 of balance of payments statistics. They are subject to revision3.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145192<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0428.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Description of content: This order seeks to: Transpose into national law the principle of the enlargement of health warnings on tobacco packages, as laid down in Directive 2014/40/EU;  Insert into supplementary health warnings (under Directive 2001/37/EC) a reference to the "Grossesse sans tabac" (tobacco-free pregnancy) page set up by the National Institute for Prevention and Health Education on the website applicable: With 17.8% of women stating that they smoked during the third trimester of their pregnancy in 2010, France has the highest percentage of women in Europe who continue to smoke during their pregnancy, despite the health risks that this tobacco consumption has on pregnancy and on the health of the child (heightened risks of complications, intrauterine growth retardation, congenital malformations, sudden death and asthma). The insertion of the pictogram therefore aims to inform female consumers of the programme to help pregnant women stop smoking ("Grossesse sans tabac" page), on the website http://www.tabac-info-service.fr/ (website referred to in the health warning). The insertion of this pictogram, in accordance with Article 4(5) of the Commission Decision of 5 September 2003 on the use of colour photographs and other illustrations as health warnings on tobacco packages (C(2003) 3184), aims to lower the proportion of pregnant women who smoke during their pregnancy.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0428.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Description of content: This order seeks to: Transpose into national law the principle of the enlargement of health warnings on tobacco packages, as laid down in Directive 2014/40/EU;  Insert into supplementary health warnings (under Directive 2001/37/EC) a reference to the "Grossesse sans tabac" (tobacco-free pregnancy) page set up by the National Institute for Prevention and Health Education on the website applicable: With 17.8% of women stating that they smoked during the third trimester of their pregnancy in 2010, France has the highest percentage of women in Europe who continue to smoke during their pregnancy, despite the health risks that this tobacco consumption has on pregnancy and on the health of the child (heightened risks of complications, intrauterine growth retardation, congenital malformations, sudden death and asthma). The insertion of the pictogram therefore aims to inform female consumers of the programme to help pregnant women stop smoking ("Grossesse sans tabac" page), on the website http://www.tabac-info-service.fr/ (website referred to in the health warning). The insertion of this pictogram, in accordance with Article 4(5) of the Commission Decision of 5 September 2003 on the use of colour photographs and other illustrations as health warnings on tobacco packages (C(2003) 3184), aims to lower the proportion of pregnant women who smoke during their pregnancy.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145194<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0430.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement AGENCIES: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security; Department of the Treasury. ACTION: Interim regulations; solicitation of comments. SUMMARY: This rule amends the U.S. Customs and Border Protection regulations on an interim basis to implement the preferential tariff treatment and other customs-related provisions of the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement entered into by the United States and the Commonwealth of Australia. On May 18, 2004, the United States and Australia (the "Parties") signed the U.S.- Australia Free Trade Agreement ("AFTA" or “Agreement”). On August 3, 2004, the President signed into law the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (the "Act"), Pub. L. 108-286, 118 Stat. 919 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note), which approved and made statutory changes to implement the AFTA. Section 207 of the Act requires that regulations be prescribed as necessary to implement the provisions of the AFTA.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0430.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement AGENCIES: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security; Department of the Treasury. ACTION: Interim regulations; solicitation of comments. SUMMARY: This rule amends the U.S. Customs and Border Protection regulations on an interim basis to implement the preferential tariff treatment and other customs-related provisions of the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement entered into by the United States and the Commonwealth of Australia. On May 18, 2004, the United States and Australia (the "Parties") signed the U.S.- Australia Free Trade Agreement ("AFTA" or “Agreement”). On August 3, 2004, the President signed into law the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (the "Act"), Pub. L. 108-286, 118 Stat. 919 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note), which approved and made statutory changes to implement the AFTA. Section 207 of the Act requires that regulations be prescribed as necessary to implement the provisions of the AFTA.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145195<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0431.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Committee on Anti-Dumping Practices Original: English SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT UNDER ARTICLE 16.4 OF THE AGREEMENT REPUBLIC OF KOREA Reproduced herewith is the semi-annual report for the period 1 July-31 December 2014 from the Republic of Korea. Choline Chloride, Kraft Paper, Ethanolamine</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0431.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Committee on Anti-Dumping Practices Original: English SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT UNDER ARTICLE 16.4 OF THE AGREEMENT REPUBLIC OF KOREA Reproduced herewith is the semi-annual report for the period 1 July-31 December 2014 from the Republic of Korea. Choline Chloride, Kraft Paper, Ethanolamine</p>  -->Entity ID - 145207<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0443.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Republic of Korea. OMB Control Number: 0579–0282. Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection. Abstract: The Plant Protection Act (PPA, 7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to restrict the importation, entry, or interstate movement of plants, plant products, and other articles to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United States or their dissemination within the United States. Regulations authorized by the PPA concerning the importation of fruits and vegetables into the United States from certain parts of the world are contained in ‘‘Subpart— Fruits and Vegetables’’ (7 CFR 319.56– 1 through 319.56–71). In accordance with § 319.56–42, peppers from the Republic of Korea are subject to certain conditions before entering the continental United States to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United States. The regulations include requirements for greenhouse registration and inspection by officials of the National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS) of the Republic of Korea and the use of a phytosanitary certificate with a declaration by NPQS officials stating the peppers were grown in greenhouses in accordance with the regulations and inspected and found free of the listed plant pests.</p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0443.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>Republic of Korea. OMB Control Number: 0579–0282. Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information collection. Abstract: The Plant Protection Act (PPA, 7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to restrict the importation, entry, or interstate movement of plants, plant products, and other articles to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United States or their dissemination within the United States. Regulations authorized by the PPA concerning the importation of fruits and vegetables into the United States from certain parts of the world are contained in ‘‘Subpart— Fruits and Vegetables’’ (7 CFR 319.56– 1 through 319.56–71). In accordance with § 319.56–42, peppers from the Republic of Korea are subject to certain conditions before entering the continental United States to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United States. The regulations include requirements for greenhouse registration and inspection by officials of the National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS) of the Republic of Korea and the use of a phytosanitary certificate with a declaration by NPQS officials stating the peppers were grown in greenhouses in accordance with the regulations and inspected and found free of the listed plant pests.</p>  -->Entity ID - 145208<br />  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0444.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The United States is deeply disappointed with Mr. Anwar’s conviction following a government appeal of the original verdict finding him not guilty. The decision to prosecute Mr. Anwar and the conduct of his trial have raised a number of serious concerns about rule of law and the fairness of the judicial system in Malaysia. These concerns are compounded by the government’s intent to expand its sedition law, which Prime Minister Najib had pledged to repeal, to prosecute government critics.<br /> <br /></p>  -->  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=feb2015/wto2015_0444.pdf</p>  <!--  <p>The United States is deeply disappointed with Mr. Anwar’s conviction following a government appeal of the original verdict finding him not guilty. The decision to prosecute Mr. Anwar and the conduct of his trial have raised a number of serious concerns about rule of law and the fairness of the judicial system in Malaysia. These concerns are compounded by the government’s intent to expand its sedition law, which Prime Minister Najib had pledged to repeal, to prosecute government critics.<br /> <br /></p>  -->Entity ID - 145859<br /><p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=mar2015/wto2015_0679.pdf</p>    <p>Dear Ambassador Froman, We are writing to express our deep concern over Peruvian Law 30230 (PL 30230), “Tax Law Establishing Measures, Simplified Procedures and Permits for the Promotion and Dynamization of Investment in the Country,” signed by President Humala last year. Based on consultations with Peruvian civil society and an analysis of relevant environmental provisions in Peruvian law and of Peru’s trade obligations with the United States, we believe that PL 30230 violates the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA). Therefore, we call on the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to utilize the tools available in Article 18.12 (Environmental Consultations and Panel Procedures) of the trade agreement and begin the formal consultation process established Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense, Center for International Environmental Law, Earthjustice,The Environmental Investigation Agency, Natural Resources Defense Council, Oxfam America, Rainforest Foundation US, Sierra Club,World Wildlife Fund US</p>  <p>/index.php?option=com_iwpfile&amp;file=mar2015/wto2015_0679.pdf</p>    <p>Dear Ambassador Froman, We are writing to express our deep concern over Peruvian Law 30230 (PL 30230), “Tax Law Establishing Measures, Simplified Procedures and Permits for the Promotion and Dynamization of Investment in the Country,” signed by President Humala last year. Based on consultations with Peruvian civil society and an analysis of relevant environmental provisions in Peruvian law and of Peru’s trade obligations with the United States, we believe that PL 30230 violates the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA). Therefore, we call on the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to utilize the tools available in Article 18.12 (Environmental Consultations and Panel Procedures) of the trade agreement and begin the formal consultation process established Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense, Center for International Environmental Law, Earthjustice,The Environmental Investigation Agency, Natural Resources Defense Council, Oxfam America, Rainforest Foundation US, Sierra Club,World Wildlife Fund US</p>  done