[lbo-talk] incoming FTAs

Tom Roche Tom_Roche at pobox.com
Mon Jul 14 08:55:07 PDT 2003


We tend to focus on the enormities fostered by big multilateral free trade agreements. But it's important not to ignore smaller, bilateral FTAs, such as those with Chile and Singapore

http://www.ustr.gov/new/fta/chile.htm http://www.ustr.gov/new/fta/singapore.htm

since they are just as susceptible to abuse by Bush et al. E.g. regarding intracompany transfers (i.e. the L-1 visa):

http://www.ustr.gov/new/fta/Singapore/final/text%20final.PDF

> SECTION III : INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFEREES

> 1. Each Party shall grant temporary entry and provide confirming

> documentation to a business person employed by an enterprise who

> seeks to render services to that enterprise or a subsidiary or

> affiliate thereof, in a capacity that is managerial, executive, or

> involves specialized knowledge, provided that the business person

> otherwise complies with existing immigration measures applicable to

> temporary entry. A Party may require the business person to have

> been employed continuously by the enterprise for one year within the

> three-year period immediately preceding the date of the application

> for admission. The Parties understand that, as used in this

> paragraph, "a business person employed by an enterprise who seeks to

> render services to that enterprise or a subsidiary or affiliate

> thereof, in a capacity that is managerial, executive or involves

> special knowledge" has the same meaning as "managers, executives and

> specialists" as defined in relation to intra-corporate transferees

> in a Party's Schedule of Specific Commitments to the GATS.

> 2. A Party shall not:

> (a) as a condition for temporary entry under paragraph 1, require

> labor certification tests or other procedures of similar effect; or

> (b) impose or maintain any numerical restriction relating to

> temporary entry under paragraph 1.

2b spikes L-1 limitation efforts; 2a would arguably spike, e.g., prevailing-wage requirements.

Note that

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/itlmi/message/75

> the White House is working to secure swift approval by Congress of

> the US-Chile and US-Singapore free trade agreements before the

> summer congressional recess, i.e. in the next 2-3 weeks.



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