For more information on how these developments may affect your business, please contact Nicole Bivens Collinson at (202) 730-4956 or via email.
Mexico
Following the mid-year review of the U.S.-Mexico High-Level Economic Dialogue, held virtually April 19, the State Department issued a fact sheet reviewing HLED accomplishments over the past six months, including the following.
- continued efforts to promote the development of semiconductor supply chains in North America
- modernized the Otay Mesa port of entry, moved forward with plans to start work this summer on a new commercial crossing at the Douglas Agua Prieta port of entry, and advanced work on additional border infrastructure improvement projects
- advanced a partnership to facilitate trade in medical equipment
Latin America
During an April 19 meeting with finance ministers from countries participating in the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said those countries will need “modern infrastructure, good regulatory practices, a welcoming investment climate, and sound policies” to attract investment in the semiconductor, critical minerals, and medical supplies supply chains and to increase economic growth in the region more generally. “Americas Partnership countries need to move quickly to seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity as businesses increasingly prioritize diversity and resilience in their supply chains,” she said.
Critical Minerals
U.S. and Norwegian officials met April 17 to discuss a bilateral memorandum of understanding on cooperation on critical minerals trade. The State Department said key focus areas under this MOU will include advancing high-standard labor and environmental conditions in global critical minerals supply chains and examining and identifying appropriate responses to non-market policies and practices in third countries.
Advancing critical minerals partnerships was also among the goals outlined in an April 22 meeting between U.S. and Kyrgyzstan officials, during which the two sides also underscored a commitment to improve regional connectivity and trade, grow and diversify the Kyrgyz economy, increase U.S. private-sector investment, and expand agricultural cooperation.
Textiles and Apparel
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced April 22 that Katherine White will serve as USTR’s chief textiles and apparel negotiator. In that position she will be responsible for international trade negotiations affecting textile and apparel products at the multilateral, regional, and bilateral levels, with a particular emphasis on opening foreign markets to U.S. domestic producers.
White most recently served as international trade policy advisor on the House Ways and Means Committee. She has also worked on international economic and foreign policy issues at the International Trade Administration, the National Economic Council at the White House, and Washington, D.C., think tanks.
Oman
At the second U.S.-Oman Strategic Dialogue held in Washington, D.C., April 24, officials marked the 15th anniversary of the signing of a bilateral free trade agreement and discussed opportunities for U.S. companies in the Omani market, highlighting information and communication technology services, semiconductors, and clean energy as particular areas of opportunity.
Copyright © 2024 Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.; WorldTrade Interactive, Inc. All rights reserved.