NFTC Welcomes APEC Agreement on Green Goods

 
Washington DC – In response to the news that officials of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum economies have agreed on a list of green goods to which they will commit to cap tariffs, Jake Colvin, Vice President for Global Trade Issues at the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC), released the following statement:

“This is a significant accomplishment that, when implemented across the APEC economies, will lower the cost of and improve access to a range of clean tech technologies. It demonstrates the ability of APEC to achieve relevant, substantive outcomes and the desire of leaders across the Asia-Pacific region to make progress on complementary economic and environmental agendas.

“NFTC commends the U.S. government for its sustained leadership to eliminate barriers to green trade and create a more competitive environment in the region for American business and workers. We applaud the Russian government, which as host of APEC in 2012, helped drive the conclusion of this critical part of the process. We appreciate the important contributions of all APEC member economies that resulted in a refreshingly constructive, substantive, and ultimately fruitful process to reduce trade barriers.

“We hope that economies will build upon this outcome through APEC and at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to continue to deepen their economic integration and improve the ability of innovative industries to operate across the region. This commitment provides a strong basis to advance a broader agreement to reduce trade barriers to green technologies at the WTO as well as for APEC to explore other innovative sectors where similar progress could be achieved.”

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About the NFTC
Advancing Global Commerce for Nearly A Century- The National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org) is a leading business organization advocating an open, rules-based global trading system. Founded in 1914 by a broad-based group of American companies, the NFTC now serves hundreds of member companies through its offices in Washington and New York.
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Russia Joins WTO, NFTC Calls on Congress to Pass PNTR Legislation As Soon as Possible in September

Washington DC – With Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) today, the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) called on Congress to pass permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) legislation immediately upon returning to Washington following the August recess. The NFTC released the following statement.

“Now that Russia has acceded to the WTO, the United States has an opportunity to become a bigger economic player in one of the fastest-growing economies in the world – but only if Congress passes PNTR legislation,” said NFTC President Bill Reinsch. “Congress must take action on PNTR legislation in September. If Congress does not act quickly, American companies, exporters and workers will be at a competitive disadvantage in the Russian market.”

“We are encouraged that a vote on PNTR legislation has been scheduled in the House, and we strongly urge House and Senate leaders to work together to ensure passage in both chambers as soon as possible in September. Granting permanent normal trade relations is not a favor to Russia, instead it is necessary step to help stimulate U.S. economic growth and job creation by expanding trade with the world’s ninth-largest economy. The U.S cannot afford to miss out on this opportunity,” said NFTC Vice President Dan O’Flaherty.

“As we have expressed before, the NFTC continues to have reservations about legislation that could jeopardize the benefits of Russia’s WTO accession or unnecessarily complicate U.S.-Russia relations, namely the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act. However, the House version of the Act is preferable to the Senate version, as its scope is limited to Russia,” Reinsch concluded.
 

About the NFTC
Advancing Global Commerce for Nearly A Century- The National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org) is a leading business organization advocating an open, rules-based global trading system. Founded in 1914 by a broad-based group of American companies, the NFTC now serves hundreds of member companies through its offices in Washington and New York.
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