U.S. Trade Representative Delivers Annual Agenda

U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman has delivered his fiscal year 2006 trade report and future agenda to Congress. The annual report details the benefits of world trade for U.S. businesses, farmers and ranchers, service providers and consumers, reviews the Bush Administration’s accomplishments in promoting U.S. trade in 2005 and lays out its agenda for 2006.

In the report, Portman wrote, “In 2006, the Administration is committed to creating new momentum for a bipartisan consensus to open markets and knock down barriers to trade around the world. Working in partnership with Congress, we will be promoting an aggressive and proactive agenda.”

Listed in the report as a top priority for the Bush Administration in 2006 is the conclusion of the Doha Development Round.

“The potential benefits from the successful Doha Round for the United States and its trading partners, especially in the developing nations, are enormous, and we will continue to do all we can to achieve a successful result,” wrote Portman in a press release.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries.

Also See: U.S. and the World Trade Organization