From a USTR press release today:
The Obama Administration announced today that the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is taking action against the European Union’s (EU) unfair trade practices that discriminate against U.S. beef imports. Acting on the request of the U.S. beef industry, USTR has scheduled a public hearing and is seeking public comments in connection with the EU’s ban on most U.S. beef products. The EU’s ban on U.S. beef is not based on sound science and discriminates against American beef farmers, ranchers, and producers. If the trade action resumes, the United States would reinstate industry-supported tariffs on a list of EU products imported into the United States. USTR is particularly interested in comments addressed to the possible effects of reinstatement on U.S. consumers and small- or medium-sized businesses.
This dispute has been around for a long time now. Has the science evolved? Will the EU try to put together some new studies to support its position?
The announcement comes from the Obama administration, but the ultimate decision will be made by the Trump administration. Here is the schedule laid out in the Federal Register:
Monday, January 30, 2017 at 11:59 pm: Deadline for interested persons to submit written comments and requests to appear at the hearing, which must include a summary of testimony. Wednesday,
February 15, 2017: The Section 301 Committee will convene a public hearing in Rooms 1 and 2, 1724 F Street NW, Washington DC 20508, beginning at 9:30 am. If necessary, the hearing may continue on the next business day.
Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at 11:59 pm: Deadline for submission of post-hearing rebuttal comments.
There are still a lot of questions about exactly what the Trump administration will do on trade policy, but is there any doubt they will pursue this case?
Some additional background from the Federal Register notice:
In February 2016, Congress passed and the President signed the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015. Among other things, the Act amended relevant provisions of the 1974 Trade Act to confirm that the Trade Representative may reinstate a previously terminated Section 301 action in order to exercise a WTO authorization to suspend trade concessions. In particular, the new Section 306(c) of the 1974 Trade Act permits the Trade Representative to reinstate a Section 301 action following (1) a request from the petitioner or any representative of the domestic industry that would benefit from reinstatement of action, (2) consultations under Section 306(d) of the Trade Act, and (3) a review under section 307(c) of the Trade Act.
Section 306(d) of the 1974 Trade Act requires the Trade Representative to consult with the petitioner, if any, involved in the initial investigation and with representatives of the domestic industry concerned, and provide an opportunity for the presentation of views by interested parties. Section 307(c) requires the Trade Representative to conduct a review of the effectiveness of such an action, and of other actions that could be taken (including actions against other products), in achieving the objectives of Section 301 of this title (19 U.S.C. 2411); and the effects of such actions on the United States economy, including consumers.
On December 9, 2016, representatives of the U.S. beef industry invoked the new Section 306(c) of the 1974 Trade Act by filing a written request for reinstatement of action.
This was also interesting from the press release:
The European Commission had argued that this issue should be resolved through T-TIP. However, given that European officials decided after their trade minister's meeting in September not to complete T-TIP this year, now is the time to take action.
