On Saturday, May 27, 2023, the 14 partners of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) announced the substantial conclusion of negotiations for the IPEF Supply Chain Agreement (see U.S. Department of Commerce’s press statement here). The IPEF partners – Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand
USTR Releases President Biden’s 2023 Trade Policy Agenda and 2022 Annual Report
On March 1, 2023, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released President Biden’s 2023 Trade Policy Agenda and 2022 Annual Report. According to the report, the 2023 trade agenda will prioritize creating new opportunities for American workers and families, supporting the middle class, driving decarbonization, and creating good-paying jobs. Additionally, the
U.S. Hosts Initial Ministerial of the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity
On January 27, 2023, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai hosted the initial ministerial for the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP), a regional framework for cooperation to promote inclusive economic growth and strengthen competitiveness. The APEP consists of the United States, Barbados, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the
Panel Concludes Automakers May Continue Core Parts “Roll-up” to Meet USMCA’s RVC Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Requirements
A United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Chapter 31 Dispute Resolution Panel concluded that automakers may continue to use the longstanding practice of “roll-up” when calculating the percentage of North American-originating materials used in the production of core automotive parts (e.g., engines) that is subsequently factored into the computation for determining the total amount of originating content
U.S. and AfCFTA Members Sign MOU on Trade Cooperation
On December 14, 2022, the United States and African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat (AfCFTA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation for Trade and Investment between the United States and the African Continental Free Trade Area (MOU). The MOU was signed by U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai and AfCFTA Secretary General Wamkele Mene during
U.S. and IPEF Partners Adopt Ministerial Statement and Negotiation Objectives
On September 9, 2022, the United States and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) partner countries – Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – announced they had reached consensus on ministerial statements for each of the four IPEF framework pillars: Trade, Supply Chain, Clean
U.S. and Taiwan Open Formal Negotiations on Trade Initiative
On August 17, 2022, the Office the U.S. Trade Representative announced that formal negotiations have commenced with Taiwan on the United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade. This trade initiative was first announced in June 2022 as an effort to “deepen the economic and trade relationship, advance mutual trade priorities based on shared values, and
United States Announces Formation of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
On May 23, 2022, the United States and several allies in the Asia-Pacific-India region announced the launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) to pursue regional economic engagement. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo stated, “This framework will enable the United States to expand its economic leadership in the Indo-Pacific and work with our
USTR Releases President Biden’s 2022 Trade Agenda and 2021 Annual Report
On March 1, 2022, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released President Joe Biden’s 2022 Trade Agenda and 2021 Annual Report. The trade agenda highlights President Biden’s continued focus on a “worker-centered trade policy” by “promoting a broader agenda of fair competition to ensure that workers are competing on the basis of
USMCA Free Trade Commission Holds Inaugural Meeting as USMCA in Full Force
Key Notes:
- USMCA trade ministers meet, demonstrating that USMCA is in full force
- USMCA compliance required as of now
- Auto rules of origin and labor were key issues in discussions
On May 18, 2021, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Free Trade Commission (FTC) held its inaugural meeting, which was led by U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine