Shifts in U.S. Merchandise Trade 2009

Investigation No. FTA-332-345
USITC Publication 4179

Summary

Looking for trade data and analysis to help understand changes with key U.S. trade partners and in crucial U.S. industries? Look no further. The USITC’s annual compendium Shifts in U.S. Merchandise Trade is now available.

Shifts in U.S. Merchandise Trade provides a comprehensive review of U.S. trade performance for the year, focusing on changes in U.S. exports, imports, and trade balances of key natural resources, agricultural, and manufacturing industries, as well as changes in U.S. trade with major partners and groups. Also included are trade data for 2005-2009 for over 250 industry/commodity groups and subgroups.

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ASEAN: Regional Trends in Economic Integration, Export Competitiveness, and Inbound Investment for Selected Industries

Investigation No. FTA-332-511
USITC Publication 4176

Summary

A wide range of factors has supported the growth of ASEAN's manufacturing exports in recent years, but challenges for ASEAN's export competitiveness remain, according to the U.S. International Trade Commission in its latest general factfinding publication.

Produced at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative, the USITC reports that low wages, high productivity growth, diverse production conditions, proximity to large Asian markets, and the region's trade policy environment, including free trade agreements (FTAs), benefit ASEAN’s manufacturing exports, according to the report. A shortage of skilled labor and professionals, the lack of an efficient system for setting product standards and conformity assessment procedures, and inadequate physical and institutional infrastructure are challenges ASEAN still faces.

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Certain Combed Cotton Yarns: Effect of Modification of U.S.-Bahrain FTA Rules of Origin

Investigation No. FTA-103-025
USITC Publication 4173

Summary

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has released a public version of its report concerning proposed modifications to U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (FTA) rules of origin.

Requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the USITC's confidential report was submitted to that office on July 12, 2010.

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Earned Import Allowance Program: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Program for Certain Apparel from the Dominican Republic

Investigation No. 332-503
USITC Publication 4175

Summary

The Earned Income Allowance Program (EIAP) had initial beneficial effects on U.S. and Dominican textile and apparel industries, according to a newly released report by the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC).

The EIAP program allows apparel manufacturers in the Dominican Republic who use U.S. fabric to produce certain apparel to earn a credit that can be used to ship eligible apparel made with non-U.S.-produced fabric into the United States duty free. The USITC is required to evaluate the effectiveness of the EIAP program and make recommendations for improvements annually under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, as amended.

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