Bush Pushes for Trade Deals
President George W. Bush called Monday for the successful conclusion of world trade talks this year and pressed the U.S. Congress to approve free trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. "Today, our economic growth increasingly depends on our ability to sell American goods, crops and services all over the world," Bush said in his final State of the Union address to Congress. International Herald Tribune, January 29, 2008
Peru, Canada sign free trade agreement
Peru has signed a free trade agreement with Canada, President Alan Garcia announced on Saturday. The two nations' foreign ministers struck the deal at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Garcia told Radioprogramas radio. CNBC, January 27, 2008
EU says Russia could join WTO this year
'There are substantive issues yet to be resolved,' Peter Mandelson, the EU trade commissioner, said. 'But they can and should be, and I hope now for an accelerated and intensified process to get Russia into the WTO this year. International Herald Tribune, January 25, 2008
The Ambassador of the European Union, the Honorable John Bruton, will be in Sacramento on Wednesday, February 13, to make a presentation before an informational hearing of the California Legislature’s Senate Select Committee on California-European Trade. Click here for more information.
Trade Policy
Calchamber’s Intellectual Property Rights Working Group. CalChamber is putting together an Intellectual Property Rights Working Group (IPR Working Group) made up of CalChamber members who are interested in being involved with CalChamber policy development and advocacy efforts in the area of IPR or who simply want to receive information and updates on pending state legislation or policy issues impacting IPR. Please email Kyla Christoffersen if you would like to join the IPR Working Group. CalChamber Sponsored IPR Legislation AB 1394 (Krekorian)
UPDATE!! AB 1394 was passed by the Assembly Appropriations Committee last Thursday ( January 24, 2008) 16-0, and Monday (January 28, 2008) , the full Assembly 76-0
Secretary Rice: Travel to Colombia, January 24-25, 2008 Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice led a congressional delegation to Medellin, Colombia January 24 to 25 to discuss bilateral trade, including the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, and security issues.
Los Angeles Economy & Jobs Committee Building a World Class City for the 21st Century -Recommendations for Job Growth and a Stronger Economy in Los Angeles,
January 2008
USA*Engage has released a new website - www.usaengage.org
USA*Engage is a coalition of businesses, agriculture groups and trade associations working to promote the benefits of U.S. engagement abroad and educate the public on the harmful effects of unilateral U.S. sanctions. USA*Engage promotes responsible policies that advance American values and foreign policy goals, such as U.S. diplomacy, humanitarian exchanges, and multilateral cooperation.
U.S.-Colombian Trade Promotion Agreement
A bilateral TPA that will lower tariffs and foster increased trade between both countries. This agreement is a critical element of a possible U.S.-Andean Free Trade Agreement and of the U.S. strategy to liberalize trade through bilateral, regional and multilateral initiatives.
CalChamber position: Support
Status: Pending Congressional Action
Act now! Click here to send a letter to your representative
U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement
A bilateral FTA that will lower tariffs and foster increased trade between both countries. A U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement is a critical element of the U.S. strategy to liberalize trade through multilateral, regional and bilateral initiatives. The agreement will also increase momentum toward lowering trade barriers and set a positive example for other small economies in the Western Hemisphere.
CalChamber position: Support
Status: Pending Congressional Action
Act now! Click here to send a letter to your representative
U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement
A bilateral FTA which will lower tariffs and foster increased trade between both countries and is a critical element of the U.S. strategy to liberalize trade through multilateral, regional and bilateral initiatives.
CalChamber position: Support
Status: Pending Congressional Action
Act now! Click here to send a letter to your representative
CalBizCentral CalBizCentral from CalChamber is your one-stop shop for products that answer California and federal labor law and HR questions, alleviate confusion, save you time and money, so you can get back to business. Click on the graphic to view our catalog.
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