 | |
| |
TechnologyDaily Mobile
Toward A New U.S.-EU Trade Paradigm
by William New
Rep. Calvin Dooley senses too much trade-related tension between the United States and Europe, and given the opportunity during a visit to Europe last week that included several members of Congress, the California Democrat appealed for a new paradigm between the two sides.
In a discussion about U.S. failure to comply with certain adverse rulings at the World Trade Organization, Dooley said in a Tuesday interview that he told European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy of his concern about relations between the two sides.
Dooley told Lamy that disputes taken to the WTO "often result in settlements that don't open trade" but instead further restrict it. He proposed that the two sides explore other avenues to resolve their differences. Lamy said the threat of a WTO action motivates parties to change their policies, but Dooley countered that it would be better to find ways to work together on solutions than to "rush to enforce compliance."
Dooley also told Lamy of some concern in Congress that the European Union's decision to take its objection to a U.S. tax break for "foreign sales corporations" to the WTO broke a longstanding transatlantic agreement on taxes. The WTO ruling forces the United States to change tax law, an effort that has been stalled in Congress for months.
Europe may have brought the challenge in retaliation for WTO cases the United States won over banana trade and European rules on hormone-treated beef, Dooley said. He also said Europe gets an international advantage with its value-added tax, a consumption tax that is levied at each stage of production.
He reiterated the U.S. commitment to reform the tax law but would not predict when it might happen. Dooley also said he would be involved in the 108th Congress' effort to reform the U.S. system for controlling exports of commercial products that have potential military uses.
Dooley predicted that a U.S.-Singapore free-trade agreement will be contentious but ultimately ratified. "I think trade votes are going to continue to be rather partisan, [but] I'm confident we will pass the Singapore and [the not-yet-completed] Chile agreements with relatively comfortable margins." He attributed the support in part to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick's "innovative, constructive approach" to labor and environmental issues.
The focus of the trip was largely the round of WTO negotiations begun at the ministerial in Doha, Qatar, and agriculture was a key issue of debate, Dooley said. Many other trade areas depend on the United States and Europe reaching an agreement on agriculture, historically a sticky subject. U.S. and EU officials also discussed pharmaceutical patents, Iraq and other subjects.
Reps. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., James Moran, D-Va., Ron Kind, D-Wis., and Michael Capuano, D-Mass., were among the other lawmakers on the trip. In Berlin, they met with officials from the German Bundestag and the European Parliament.
In Strasbourg, France, they met with Lamy, European Parliament President Pat Cox and member James Ellis of the United Kingdom, EU Competition Commissioner Mario Monti, and Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler. Finally, in Paris, they met officials such as the new French ambassador to the United States and trade and economic minister Francois Mers.
Siebel Issues E-Government Blueprint In Europe
Siebel Systems earlier this month issued a blueprint for implementing e-government in Europe that identified five basic principles. Siebel, a leading provider of e-government software, urged that solutions be designed around the needs of constituents.
The company also suggested that citizens be given access to government across all communication channels, and that the technology create a "one-stop access point" for citizens and a "unified repository" of constituent information. Siebel also encouraged the use of "best practice" networks to coordinate the rising number of government agencies and external suppliers involved in delivering public service. And it proposed that change be managed by establishing a "broad but clearly defined e-government vision" implemented in phases.
The paper was developed after interviews with more than 150 leaders on the issue from across Europe, including local, regional and national government officials, as well as representatives with the various bodies of the European Union. The report also includes several case studies.
The white paper identified several benefits of e-government, such as greater participation in the "information society," better public service and greater government efficiency, increased business productivity, and improved national security and public safety.
In the United States, meanwhile, the Center for Democracy and Technology and infoDev announced the publication of a comprehensive resource on e-government for developing countries. The handbook includes key resources on e-government plus case studies and models. It highlights three phases of e-government: publishing government information, increasing public participation online and allowing citizens to obtain government services or transact business with the government online.
Privacy Vs. Security In Canada
A new Web site launched in Canada last week brings together Canadian government information on privacy. The independent site, privacyinfo.ca, will be maintained by University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist and includes summaries of all decisions under the nation's privacy law, with the added ability to conduct searches on different criteria. The site also links to Canadian privacy legislation, news on privacy law and other resources.
Canada's approach to privacy has attracted some criticism from citizens and officials alike. For instance, an opinion piece by Jim Travers in the Toronto Star last week called it a "nasty piece of deception." The author claims that Canada has accepted the illusory view from the United States that it is possible to guarantee national security but not personal privacy. He praised Canadian Privacy Commissioner George Radwanski for his efforts to argue against that view.
In a Friday letter to key Canadian officials, Radwanski commented on government proposals to subject Canadians' use of the Internet and electronic communications to "unprecedented scrutiny." He called for new measures to be evaluated "calmly, carefully and on a case-by-case basis." Radwanski also proposed that any new measure meet a four-part test to ensure that it is necessary.
Meanwhile, international business groups have renewed their concern that security measures might interfere with trade. The International Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday issued a statement on behalf of transport companies worldwide, urging governments "not to let tightened security measures slow down the flow of world trade."
Australia Seeks Comments On U.S. Trade Deal
The Australian government has issued a call for public comments on its proposed free-trade agreement with the United States announced earlier this month.
The deadline for comments is Jan. 15, and the government will give "high priority" to the views and expertise of different groups on issues to be covered in the negotiation, the Nov. 21 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade release said.
The department's negotiations office will consult with businesses, interested organizations and the general public as it develops Australia's negotiating position, the release said.
NEW FEATURE
-Advertisement-
-Advertisement-
-Advertisement-
