2004 trade policy review - The United States

Many of the findings of the seventh Trade Policy Review of the United States are similar to those reached in earlier reviews: The US is unanimously acknowledged as having an open and transparent system; the US economy has remained amongst the world's most competitive, and has continued to support global growth by keeping its import market largely open. This review finds, however, that the US has developed a disturbing pattern of non-compliance with WTO rules. During the period of review the United States enacted policies, most notably the infamous Byrd Amendment and the 2001-02 steel safeguard action, that were found to be clear violations of its WTO obligations. Despite these and other such findings, the United States has obstinately refused to bring its domestic statutes in line with WTO rules. In addition, in recent years the United States' aggressive pursuit of regional and bilateral initiatives has led many Members to question whether the United States is committed to the multilateral approach espoused by the WTO. Overall, despite the US's many virtues, Member countries expressed concern that the US's stated leadership of and commitment to the WTO is not matched by its actions. © Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2005.