USTR seeks Americas Partnership Comments

The US Trade Representative’s Office is seeking public comments on the trade track of the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity.

Comments will be due by July 20.

The APEP is a US-led initiative that will include Barbados, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Uruguay.

Negotiations have not yet formally begun. In the meantime, USTR is looking to hear from the public on US interests and priorities, in order to develop trade-related lines of effort in the trade track of the Partnership.

APEP trade ministers plan to meet in person in Ecuador in August to review progress and discuss priorities for next year.

USTR is seeking comments on the following:

• Customs and trade facilitation;

•  Value and supply chain resilience and sustainability, with particular focus on clean energy, medical supplies and semiconductors;

• Inclusive Trade, including for women, Indigenous Peoples and other underrepresented groups;

• Issues of particular relevance to small and medium-sized enterprises;

• Labor standards and worker rights;

• Environment, climate and conservation;

• Transparency and good regulatory practices;

• Anti-corruption;

• Trade capacity building needs and priorities and

• Other matters related to trade and investment in the Americas that are consistent with the mission and scope of the Partnership.

Trade Ministers plan to meet in person in Ecuador in August 2024 to review progress by the CTC and discuss priorities for next year. Ministers also will discuss preparation for the Leaders' Summit in Costa Rica in 2025.

 [89 FR 51935]