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US warns WTO partners on anti-dumping rules talks

US trade officials on Thursday put other members of the World Trade Organization on notice that Washington would not agree to negotiations aimed primarily at the United States on anti-dumping rules and other protections against unfairly traded imports.

The issue is one of several unresolved items that threatens to block the launch of a new round of world trade talks when trade ministers from the 142 member countries of the WTO meet in Doha, Qatar from November 9 to 13.

The Bush administration faces tremendous pressure from Congress not to agree to any negotiations that could weaken the United States' ability to impose anti-dumping duties on imports priced below the cost of production or countervailing duties on imports subsidised by foreign governments.

The United States, which has one of the most open markets in the world, must be able to protect its domestic producers against unfair imports, lawmakers say.

A Bush administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told reporters a draft declaration for trade ministers at the Doha meeting calls for negotiations on anti-dumping rules and other import protections. The official said the declaration was unacceptable because it was aimed primarily at the United States.

"What's really objectionable about it is the notion that you're going to drag the US system into the dock and then say you can't talk about the counterpart in any other country," the official said.

If other countries want negotiations to clarify and improve disciplines on import safeguard rules, the United States must be able to pursue its own 'affirmative agenda' aimed at making sure foreign anti-dumping and countervailing duties procedures are as fairly and openly administered as in the United States, the aide said.

The negotiations also must address the underlying unfair trade practices that prompt the United States to impose anti-dumping or countervailing duties, the official said.

Senate Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus, a Montana Democrat, on Thursday made clear how little flexibility US negotiators have on the issue. His committee plays a key role in the approval of trade pacts.

"I was quite surprised to read that the draft declaration indicated a willingness to renegotiate these rules. Why would we agree to this? What do we gain?" Baucus said in a speech on the Senate floor. "Our trade laws are part of the political bargain on trade. Without assurances of fair trade, future trade agreements will be a very tough sell."

Members of the US House of Representatives also have been upset by the draft text.

On Wednesday, Rep Phil English, a Pennsylvania Republican, introduced a resolution to put the House firmly on record against any negotiations that could weaken US anti-dumping and other trade remedy laws.

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