In connection with the article below (Falling trade), see the comments (click here for full copy) of USTR Ron Kirk:
"The economic crisis gives us a unique opportunity to rethink trade. x x x It’s time to show those businesses, and our workers, that the President and the United States Trade Representative have their backs - at the negotiating table, in the enforcement process, and in those instances when competition forces a worker to transition from one job to another. x x x We identified barriers to U.S. market access in the National Trade Estimate report on March 31. We are following up to determine which ones are costing America the most jobs and opportunities. And we will use all the tools in USTR’s toolbox to go after those trade barriers. There will often be expedient and productive ways to work things out, through direct dialogue or formal consultations in the WTO. When it becomes necessary, we can employ litigation in the WTO as well."
