EU concerned over U.S. moves on RI<\/p>\n
BRUSSELS (AFP): The European Union yesterday expressed concern
\nabout a growing trend for U.S cities and states to consider
\nlegislation to penalize companies with links to countries like
\nMyanmar and Indonesia.<\/p>\n
In its annual report on the barriers to European companies
\ndoing business in the U.S, the EU's executive arm, the
\ncommission, expressed concern that such steps could become a
\nmajor irritant in transatlantic trade relations.<\/p>\n
The EU last month took the U.S to the World Trade Organization
\nover legislation passed by the state of Massachusetts which
\nforbids state authorities from signing or renewing contracts with
\ncompanies doing business with or in Myanmar.<\/p>\n
Brussels contends the law breaches U.S commitments under the
\nWTO's rules on government procurement. When it passed parallel
\nlegislation on Indonesia, Massachusetts included an exemption for
\nprocurement covered by the General Procurement Agreement.<\/p>\n
The commission welcomed this development but underlined that
\nselective purchasing laws related to Myanmar had already been
\npassed by New York City and were being considered by Connecticut,
\nCalifornia and Texas.<\/p>\n
A commission spokesman said the WTO action on Massachusetts
\nhad been designed to "nip a dangerous trend in the bud."<\/p>\n
"We acted hard on Massachusetts to try and steer other states
\nand cities away from this trend."<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/eu-concerned-over-us-moves-on-ri-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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