In Today's FT (free access this week), Alan Beattie reports that 13 countries have asked the U.S. to liberalize in the area of maritime transport "auxiliary services," which includes port management. USTR Portman is reported to respond as follows:
“The United States is not offering any commitments in the WTO services negotiations involving maritime services that involve port activities,” said a spokeswoman for Rob Portman, US trade representative. “Nothing in the services negotiations will impact the US ability to protect our national security interests.”
While Article XIV bis might render this quote a non-sequitur, it is clear that Portman is steering clear of accusations of compromising U.S. security through the WTO (as opposed to through the Exon Florio process).