WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sander M. Levin (D-MI), and Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman John S. Tanner (D-TN) issued the following statements concerning the U.S. Trade Representative’s release of the annual National Trade Estimates (NTE) report and new annual reports on agricultural and other technical barriers to trade:
“President Obama and his administration have recognized the need to ensure that trade is a two-way street," said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sander M. Levin (D-MI). “This is the first time that USTR has issued special reports on technical barriers to trade, which increasingly shut U.S. exports out of foreign markets and too often have been ignored in the past. I have urged the development of reports like these for many years, and I very much welcome Ambassador Kirk’s new initiative."
“This is also the 25th anniversary of the important NTE report, which catalogues barriers to U.S. exports," continued Chairman Levin. “I look forward to working with Ambassador Kirk to ensure that the United States takes all necessary and appropriate steps to eliminate the barriers described in all of these reports - such as China’s striking new ‘indigenous innovation’ initiative."
“Enforcing our existing trade agreements will help expand U.S. exports, a critical ingredient to U.S. economic recovery and prosperity," said Trade Subcommittee Chairman John S. Tanner (D-TN). “I welcome the release of the NTE and technical barriers reports, and I look forward to working with Ambassador Kirk to address the barriers described in the reports.
