Australia Enter This Win
USIS Washington File: TEXT: RUBIN TESTIMONY ON U.S. TRADE DEFICIT
That takes us to the industrialized nations, most of whose economies have also been relatively weak compared to ours. Most troubling, the Japanese economy still fails to show signs of recovery, and Japan's economic difficulties and weak currency are having substantial adverse impact on the East Asian countries. Obviously, the worse these conditions in Japan, the greater that adverse impact on the region. We, the IMF, the OECD, and the G-7 -- in our case for well over a year -- have strongly urged the Japanese government to undertake the necessary steps to stimulate domestic demand-led growth, including fiscal stimulus, an effective program to address the problems of the banking sector, and deregulation and market opening. In this regard, we have in the past several months said on many occasions that we share the Japanese government's growing concern about the weakness of the yen, because of its implications for economic recovery in Asia and Japan's growing external surplus. In turn, ... [Read More]
Department of State Washington File: Fact Sheet: White House Agenda on WTO Ministerial
Ensuring That Developing Countries Fully Benefit From The Open Trading System: The United States is committed to ensuring that the Seattle Round lifts living standards and promotes opportunity in the developing world, in particular the least developed nations. Countries that have opened their economies to the world have created opportunity, growth and hope for their people. The US will work to give the least developed countries greater access to global markets. The President has called on the US Congress to act this year by passing the African Opportunity and Growth Act; expanding the Caribbean Basin Initiative; and renewing our duty-free GSP program. And the US commits to work with other nations to offer technical assistance to help nations implement trade reforms -- and develop the Internet and telecommunications capacity to enter the 21st century economy. As a result, citizens of those nations will benefit more fully from the world economy, there will be more markets for Americ ... [Read More]
Department of State Washington File: Text: Commerce Secretary Daley Remarks on China Trade Status Vote
We'll watch Japan and Europe take advantage of the economic opportunities of opening a market of more than a billion consumers. This is a market that next year will be the second largest in the world for personal computers. This is a market that adds the equivalent of a new Baby Bell every year. Right now, every man, woman, and child in China eats just a dollar's worth of American farm products -- a year. The cantaloupe at breakfast is more than the average Chinese eats a year from the world's greatest farmers. And if Congress votes this down, it will be the European and Asian farmers, who benefit when the market opens -- not our farmers. ... [Read More]
Department of State Washington File: Text: Commerce Secretary Daley Remarks on China Trade Status
To be honest, in my 3 years as secretary, I have not seen the intensity by industry for trade that we will need to win this fight in Congress. The opposition is very well organized, and is pumped after Seattle. ... It's absolutely critical that we move quickly on this legislation. To be frank, it gets tougher with each passing day, as we get closer to the November elections and the campaign heats up. We are fortunate because the major candidates -- Vice President Gore and Governor Bush -- both strongly support us. The likely third candidate who will probably run on the reform party ticket, isn't for it. But 2 out of 3 isn't bad! ... [Read More]
USIS Washington File: TEXT: DALEY REMARKS ON TRADE WITH EUROPEAN UNION
First, more than anything we need universal public support for open trade. Nothing could be more important. And we need this in America and in Europe. ... Imports of hot-rolled steel from Japan are surging -- up over 500 percent so far this year. We import 10 times more steel from Japan than the European Union -- 10 times. ... Let me end on this. ... [Read More]
Department of State Washington File: Transcript: Ridge Outlines Steps Taken to Shield U.S. From Terrorist Attacks
And since we know that al-Qaeda is interested in entering our ports illegally, this officer -- now trained in all three areas of inspection and armed with the best intelligence we have -- improves our ability to spot and stop terrorists quickly and keep them out. We have already recruited our first group of CBP officers, who will be trained throughout this fall. For DHS, this is another significant step toward our efforts to retool where it makes sense and create efficiencies and unity around a single mission. ... [Read More]
Department of State Washington File: Text: USTR Zoellick Welcomes U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement
Added Zoellick, "This agreement demonstrates our strong support for Jordan's program of economic reform. Economic growth is generated by lowering barriers to trade and by integrating into the world economy. This is a win-win agreement for the consumers, farmers, businesses and investors in both our countries." ... "I am extremely pleased that we will see the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement enter into force this year," said U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick. "This agreement furthers the Bush Administration's agenda of trade liberalization and open markets for American products." ... [Read More]
Department of State Washington File: Despite Violence, Iraq Is Making Steady Progress, Rumsfeld Says
Abizaid said of the foreign terrorists entering Iraq: "These people will come at us and try to attack us any way they possibly can. And we've got to stay in the middle of the fight, in the middle of the Middle East to give the broad majority of the people who are moderates a chance to win. We're trying to shape the equation for people in the region to win this fight, the good people of the region." ... Cheney said that since that time Iraq and the coalition have had considerable success in transferring sovereign authority, holding free elections and instituting a process to draft a new constitution, following by a referendum and national elections. ... [Read More]
U.S. Department of State - Washington Hyper File
317 Text: Treaty on Sharing Plant Genetic Resources Enters Into Force ... 312 Text: Key U.S. Interest Rates Raised as Economy Keeps Growing ... Return to the main pageSorry, you need a JavaScript capable browser to get the best from this page ... [Read More]
Department of State Washington File: Text: Diversity Immigrant Visa Program for 2004
The decision to hire an attorney or consultant is entirely up to the applicant. Procedures for entering the Diversity Lottery can be completed without assistance following simple instructions. No fee is charged to enter the DV-2004 program. The selection of winners is made at random and no outside service can improve an applicant's chances of being chosen or guarantee an entry will win. Any service that claims it can improve an applicant's odds would be promising something it cannot deliver. Nevertheless, applicants may use outside assistance, if that is their choice. There are many legitimate attorneys and immigration consultants assisting applicants for reasonable fees, or in some cases for free. Unfortunately, there are other persons who are charging exorbitant rates and making unrealistic claims. The U.S. Government employs no outside consultants or private mail services to operate the DV program. Any intermediaries or others who offer assistance to prepare DV applicants do so with ... [Read More]
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