First Americas Partnership Trade Meet

Senior trade officials have wrapped up the first meeting of the Council on Trade and Competitiveness under the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity.

Trade officials, who met in Santo Domingo, established committees on Trade Rules and Transparency, Trade and Sustainable Value and Supply Chains and Inclusive Trade and Small and Medium Enterprises.

The Council also considered proposals for a workplan focused on activities to implement and build upon the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement, as well as activities focused specifically on the digitalization of import documents, according to a readout from the US Trade Representative’s Office.

Senior officials also began sharing views on how to optimize inclusive outreach in the region.

The Council intends to meet regularly – including in person at least twice a year – and will continue developing projects to realize the Americas Partnership’s goals of deeper economic integration and sustainable and inclusive trade and investment, according to the readout.

“In that regard, the United States underscored the importance of looking ahead to future work to implement the values expressed in the East Room Declaration, including with respect to promoting labor rights and protecting the environment,” it said.