What We're Covering This Week

Here’s What We’re Covering This Week

The federal government may shut down beginning Tuesday, but a busy week is still on tap:

Monday – US Trade Representative Michael Froman is in Brussels to discuss the TransAtlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.  He delivers an address on TTIP to the German Marshall Fund there.

Here in Washington, the Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America holds its annual outlook forum at the US Chamber of Commerce.  House New Democrats Chair Gregory Meeks (D-NY) is among the speakers.

Tuesday – USTR Froman moves on to Geneva, where he will address the World Trade Organization’s public forum.  He also meets with WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo and other officials in hopes of making progress on a package of trade facilitation and development issues for the WTO’s December ministerial.

Meanwhile, in Bali, chief negotiators on the 12-country TransPacific Partnership begin a two-day meeting to try to wrap up more technical-level issues in advance on meetings of TPP trade ministers and then the leaders of the 12 countries.

Wednesday – The Cato Institute sponsors a program on the WTO and future of multilateralism with speakers including New Zealand Ambassador Mike Moore – a former WTO director general.

Thursday – The globe-trotting USTR Froman ends up in Bali, where he will participate in a TPP trade ministers meeting and meetings related to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meetings.

In Washington, the Washington International Trade Association sponsors a program on the African Growth and Opportunity Act and the future of US-Africa relations.

Friday – The US Trade Representative’s office holds a public hearing on China’s compliance with its World Trade Organization commitments – if the federal government is open.

In Bali, the TPP trade ministers are slated to meet.