WASHINGTON — February 21, 2012 — United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced today that
the U.S.-Korea trade agreement will enter into force — that is, take effect — on March 15, 2012.
This announcement follows the completion over the President’s Day weekend of work by the United
States and Korea to review each other’s laws and regulations related to the implementation of the
agreement. The United States has exchanged diplomatic notes with Korea in which each side confirmed
that they had completed their applicable legal requirements and procedures for the agreement’s
entry into force. 

“In a few short weeks, the promise of the U.S.-Korea trade agreement — including tens of
thousands of export-supported jobs with better wages — will start to come home for American
businesses and working families,” said Ambassador Kirk. President Obama insisted that we get this
agreement right  by forging a better deal that led to strong bipartisan support in both houses
of Congress. Entry into force of this agreement will open up Korea’s $1 trillion economy for
America’s workers, businesses, farmers, and ranchers while also strengthening our economic
partnership with a key Asia-Pacific ally.” 

On March 15, almost 80 percent of U.S. exports of industrial products to Korea will become
duty-free, including aerospace equipment, agricultural equipment, auto parts, building products,
chemicals, consumer goods, electrical equipment, environmental goods, all footwear and travel
goods, paper products,  scientific equipment and shipping and transportation equipment. 

Also on March 15, almost two-thirds of U.S. exports of agricultural products to Korea will
become duty-free, including wheat, corn, soybeans for crushing, whey for feed use, hides and skins,
cotton, cherries, pistachios, almonds, orange juice, grape juice, and wine. The agreement also
includes a number of significant commitments related to non-tariff measures that will also come
into force on March 15, including obligations related to motor vehicle safety and environmental
standards, enhanced regulatory transparency, standard-setting, technology neutrality, and customs
administration. Strengthened protections for intellectual property rights benefiting American
creators and innovators will also come into force on that day. 

Finally, commitments opening up Korea’s $580 billion services market will also be in effect
beginning March 15. These commitments are backed by the agreement’s strong enforcement provisions,
which will enable the United States to hold Korea to its promises under the pact. 



BACKGROUND

The U.S. — Korea trade agreement is an integral part of the President’s efforts to increase
opportunities for U.S. businesses, farmers, ranchers, and workers through improved access for their
products and services in foreign markets, and supports the President’s National Export Initiative
goal of doubling of U.S. exports in 5 years. The agreement will promote the further integration of
the U.S. and Korean economies and enhance the competitiveness of U.S. businesses in the world’s
12th largest economy. 

In December 2010, President Obama announced the successful resolution of outstanding issues
with the U.S.-Korea trade agreement, setting the stage for the ratification of an agreement
estimated to support 70,000 American jobs from increased goods exports alone, with additional jobs
potential from the further opening of Korea’s large services market to American firms, and other
measures. 

The U.S.-Korea trade agreement’s implementing bill, approved by Congress in October 2011,
authorizes the President  to exchange notes with Korea providing for the entry into force at
such time as the President determines that Korea has taken measures necessary to comply with
provisions of the agreement that are to take effect on the date of the entry into force. 

Posted on February 21, 2012

Source: USTR

WASHINGTON — February 7, 2012 — Today, the United States and Japan held a senior-level bilateral
consultation on Japan’s interest in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. The meeting
was co-chaired by Wendy Cutler, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Japan, Korea and APEC
Affairs, and by Takeshi Yagi, Director General for Economic Affairs of Japan’s Foreign Ministry,
and included the participation of representatives of other U.S. and Japanese Government agencies.
Today’s meeting was the first official bilateral consultation with Japan following the November
2011 announcement by Prime Minister Noda expressing Japan’s intention to begin consultations with
TPP countries toward joining the TPP negotiations.

In the meeting, Japanese officials delivered a report on the status of its domestic
consultations on TPP as well as an update on Japan’s recent consultations with other TPP member
countries. U.S. officials provided an update on the status of the TPP negotiations. U.S. officials
also summarized and highlighted an array of general and specific issues raised by stakeholders in
response to a recent Federal Register request for comment, which is one element of the United
States’ ongoing domestic consultation process to assess Japan’s expression of interest in the TPP.
These stakeholder comments included a range of sector-specific issues in the insurance,
agriculture, and automotive sectors, among others, in addition to cross-sectoral issues. Japanese
officials underscored the Japanese Government’s readiness to engage with the United States on a
range of issues going forward.

As a next step, both Governments agreed to hold a follow-up meeting at the working level on
February 21-22 in Washington, D.C., as the consultative process continues.



Posted on February 17, 2012

Source: USTR