US CONGRESS PASSES FAST TRACK BILL. By a margin of just one vote, US Congress on 6 December passed the trade promotion authority (TPA) bill — formerly known as ‘fast-track’ — which would allow the US President to negotiate trade agreements that Congress can only accept or reject, but not amend. "I commend the House of Representatives for passing legislation that will restore our nation’s authority to negotiate trade agreements," said US President George W. Bush. Supporters of the bill argue that TPA is crucial for US participation in multilateral trade negotiations, which will open foreign markets to US exporters. Most Democrats, in contrast, opposed the bill on the grounds that the language on labour and environment was not strong enough. The bill was also strongly criticised by conservation groups who are concerned that TPA could undermine efforts to include environmental, health and labour provisions in future trade agreements. "We shouldn’t rush through important trade deals without making sure that all Americans’ needs are addressed - including protections for the environment and workers. But that’s by definition what ‘fast-track’ does," said Carl Pope of the Sierra Club. His sentiments were echoed by Marty Hayden of Earthjustice, who described TPA as "a real threat to American democratic and environmental values." The bill, which would grant TPA until 2005, now has to be passed by the US Senate and signed by President Bush before it can enter into force.
"U.S. House passes fast track authority," ENS, 7 December 2001; "Trade bill passes House in victory for Bush," REUTERS, 7 December 2001; "House passes trade negotiation authority bill 215-214," WASHINGTON FILE, 6 December 2001.
SUBSTANTIVE DISCUSSIONS IN TRIPS COUNCIL POSTPONED. In its first meeting after the Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference in Doha, the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) focused only on the review of national implementing legislation. According to one trade source, Members had decided to not hold discussions on the remaining items — including geographical indications, reviews under Articles 27.3(b) (patentability of life forms) and 71.1, and the issue of intellectual property rights and public health — at this stage in order to give countries time to consider the outcomes of the Ministerial Conference and develop their positions. The next meeting of the TRIPs Council has been tentatively scheduled for 5-7 March 2002, with informal consultations to be held early next year on how the Council should organise its work in the light of the Doha Declaration.
ICTSD Internal Files.