U.S. Steps Up Enforcement Of Trade Agreements

The administration put America’s biggest trading partners on notice Friday it will beef up enforcement aimed at ensuring better compliance with the 183 trade agreements negotiated since President Clinton took office.

“As we have said time and again, the most important part of our job is what happens after we sign an agreement,” U.S. Trade Representative Mickey Kantor said in making the announcement. “We must ensure that the agreements are more than empty promises.”

Kantor said the administration will set up a new unit at USTR committed entirely to making sure that trade agreements reached by Clinton and previous presidents are being honored.

The new office will be staffed by six employees and will coordinate its work with the Commerce Department.

Kantor said the new enforcement unit would not cost taxpayers because it would be funded by shifting amounts already budgeted for his office.