Trade Representative, Office of United States July 16, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) gives notice that the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) requests written submissions from the public concerning the negotiations for compensatory adjustments to U.S. Schedule of Services Commitments under WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) in response to notice of the United States of intent to modify its schedule under Article XXI of the GATS. On May 4, 2007, the United States filed with the WTO a notification to the Council for Trade in Services (CTS) pursuant to Article XXI:1(b) of the GATS stating the intention of the United States to modify its commitment for ``other recreational services'' to explicitly exclude gambling and betting services. In accordance with the procedural schedule set out in the WTO ``Procedures for the Implementation of Article XXI of the GATS: Modification of Schedules'' (WTO Document S/L/ 80) (``Article XXI Procedures''), on June 22 the United States received notice from eight WTO Members that they consider that their benefits under the GATS may be affected by the proposed modification. Consequently, consistent with Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS, the United States has entered into negotiations with these WTO Members with a view to reaching agreement on any necessary compensatory adjustment. The aim of such negotiations and agreement shall be to maintain a general level of mutually advantageous commitments not less favorable to trade than that provided for in the U.S. schedules of specific commitments prior to such negotiations.