Portman outlines trade priorities

In a September 8 interview, US Trade Representative, Rob Portman, laid out the Bush Administration’s trade priorities for this autumn, now that the bruising battle over the DR-CAFTA is over. A key area of emphasis will be resuming negotiations on various bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs). Portman said he wants to conclude FTA talks this year with Panama and Oman and in early 2006 with Thailand, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the five-member Southern African Customs Union (SACU), and the Andean countries of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The next round of talks with each of these partners is expected within the next month or so.