U.S. slams 46 nations over trade barriers<\/p>\n
WASHINGTON (AP): The United States alleged that Japan and 45
\nother nations, including Indonesia, have erected harmful trade
\nbarriers that are costing American businesses and farmers
\nbillions of dollars of lost sales annually.<\/p>\n
In the annual review of unfair trade practices, the Clinton
\nadministration said Monday that while progress had been made,
\nmuch remained to be done to level the playing field for American
\ncompanies.<\/p>\n
\"Many markets around the world remain closed to U.S. exports
\nand to the extent our trade deficit is the result of these
\nbarriers ... they must be reduced,\" said U.S. Trade
\nRepresentative Charlene Barshefsky.<\/p>\n
In addition to 46 individual countries, the report of the most
\nonerous trade barriers around the world also included four
\ntrading groups, including the 15-nation European Union.<\/p>\n
The 387-page report covers countries from Argentina to
\nZimbabwe in a lengthy recitation of trading practices the
\nadministration has found objectionable.<\/p>\n
Japan led the list in terms of areas cited as problems, taking
\nup 46 pages in the report, followed by the European Union, at 26
\npages, and China with 17 pages.<\/p>\n
No country was removed from the list this year and four -
\nEcuador, Ethiopia, Panama and Paraguay - were added.<\/p>\n
From this broad report covering objectionable trade practices,
\nthe administration has 30 days to select a smaller list of
\ncountries for negotiations in the area of improper protection of
\ncopyrights and patents.<\/p>\n
In addition, six months from now, the administration faces a
\nSept. 30 deadline in which it can target a handful of countries
\nunder its \"Super 301\" negotiating authority.<\/p>\n
In both the copyright area, known as \"Special 301\" for the
\nsection of trade law being used, and the \"Super 301\" designation
\nfailure to reach a successful conclusion of negotiations could
\nresult in the imposition of U.S. trade penalties.<\/p>\n
While the administration has used the threat of the Super 301
\ndesignation to force countries to grant bargaining concessions,
\nit has yet to impose any economic sanctions under the provisions.<\/p>\n
Last year, it did use the Super 301 process to inform four
\ncountries - Indonesia, Brazil, Australia and Argentina - that it
\nplanned to bring cases against them before the new World Trade
\nOrganization.<\/p>\n
In discussing Japan, Barshefsky singled out problems in
\nprotection of copyrights on computer software to opening up the
\ncountry's giant telecommunications market to greater access by
\nU.S. telecommunications companies.<\/p>\n
On China, Barshefsky said that American companies and farmers
\nstill faced numerous barriers trying to get into that country's
\nhuge market.<\/p>\n
\"China's growing economic strength, coupled with its focus on
\nboosting competitiveness in certain export-oriented industries,
\nrequires continued vigilance by the administration to ensure
\nChina's policies and practices are consistent with existing
\nbilateral agreements and are in line with international rules.\"<\/p>\n
On the European Union, Barshefsky said she was \"particularly
\nconcerned by the EU's pervasive discrimination against U.S.
\nagriculture exports - including rice, wheat, wheat flour,
\nbananas, beef, dairy products and certain fruit.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-slams-46-nations-over-trade-barriers-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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