USTR Asks for Comments on Russian WTO Compliance in Lead-up to Hearing

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is asking for stakeholder comments to help prepare its annual report to Congress on Russian implementation of its World Trade Organization obligations. Comments are due by Sept. 26, and the interagency Trade Policy Staff Committee will hold an Oct. 10 hearing on the matter. Those obligations include compliance with the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. USTR also asked for comments on Russian progress in acceding to the Information Technology Agreement and the Government Procurement Agreement, both of which are plurilateral agreements under the WTO. USTR is required to include in the report plans to “encourage” Russia to improve these efforts, if the report findings suggest the country is insufficiently meeting its obligations. USTR said stakeholders should submit comments and notifications of intent to testify at the Oct. 10 hearing via www.regulations.gov, USTR-2014-0016.