January 18, 2007 Volume 7 Number 1
The 110th Congress:
Protectionist Interests May Slow Gains for Consumers
The recent midterm elections
resulted in defeat for many representatives in the House and Senate who led
the push for freer trade. For consumers this election could mean fewer cuts
in border taxes through trade agreements, and more barriers on imported goods,
especially from China. Click here to read more about the climate change in
Congress. Click here to read more. .
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Lame Duck Congress
Extends Trade With Developing Countries
Late in the night on December 8, 2006, in a lame-duck session, the 109th Congress
renewed a series of trade programs designed to promote trade with the poorest
countries while also giving American families access to a wide range of products
at competitive prices. The outlook for renewing these programs earlier this
year was not so rosy. Thankfully, the departing Congress, in its last hours,
got our message. Click
here to get the details. . .
The
Doha Round: Will it Be Revived or Continue to Languish
In July, Pascal Lamy, the
Director General of the World Trade Organization formally suspended the Doha
Round of multi-lateral negotiations, an ominous sign that the best hope for
opening global trade may be hopelessly mired. Indeed, the inability of the
world's trading nations to conclude a new round of multi-lateral talks suggests
that the multi-lateral trading system may be seriously in jeopardy. Find
out the details and how much consumers may gain from the completion of the
"Doha Round". . .
CWT in the News
- On September 26th, CWT sent a "Blast Fax" to all U.S. Senators urging them to vote against S.295, a bill that would have imposed a 27.5% border tax on all goods from China unless it changed its currency policy. Click here to read the fax.
- On September 29th, CWT hosted a breakfast event on the US-Korea free trade talks. Click here to view the event announcement.
- On November 2nd, CWT hosted a breakfast event on International Manufacturers, Productivity and Trade Policy. Click here to view the event announcement.
- On December 8th, CWT sent a "Blast Fax" to all members of Congress urging support HR.6406, legislation that will benefit Consumers by permanently normalizing trade with Vietnam and renewing GSP. Click here to read the fax.
- On February 5th, CWT submitted a letter to Charlie Rangel, Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee, supporting recent moves by the Department of Commerce to scale back the practice of "Zeroing." Click here to read the letter.