Page:Special 301 Report 2000.pdf/1



United States Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky today set forth the Clinton Administration's trade expansion priorities for the year 2000, announced seven enforcement actions to be taken at the World Trade Organization and reiterated the Administration's position on health-related Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in developing nations. This announcement was made in the context of today's release of three annual reports to Congress, known as Super 301, Special 301, and Title VII.

"We have negotiated nearly 300 trade agreements since 1993, and used our enforcement tools on more than 100 occasions. Enforcement of these agreements is critical to trade expansion," said Ambassador Barshefsky. "We have made enforcement a top priority, as reflected once again in this year's Super 301, Special 301 and Title VII announcements."

"In general, our trading partners have made good progress in the implementation of existing commitments," noted Ambassador Barshefsky. "However, we remain concerned about certain failures to comply fully with WTO agreements. Therefore, we are pursuing WTO dispute settlement action in seven cases covering customs valuations practices, investment measures, and intellectual property rights. These cases underscore our determination to take vigorous action against foreign government practices that conflict with international obligations."

The Special 301 report also pays special attention to the Administration's policy on health-related IPR matters, especially HIV/AIDS issues in developing countries. President Clinton announced last December that the United States is committed to helping developing countries gain access to essential medicines, and Ambassador Barshefsky reiterated that commitment today. "We have begun implementing a cooperative approach on health-related intellectual property matters to ensure that the application of U.S. trade law related to intellectual property remains sufficiently flexible to respond to public health crises. We are working closely with interested non-governmental organizations and industry to ensure that this policy is implemented