In This Issue:

- 01 China To Cut Production Of Rare Earth Minerals By 20 Percent, Threatens U.S. Manufacturing

- 02 China Increases Efforts On Optimizing Geographic Distribution Of Industries

- 02 Senator Schumer Raises Trade Concerns Over Chinese Bid For Canadian Oil Producer

- 03 WTO Panel Issues Report On China Electronic Payment Services

- 04 News Of Note

- 06 Contacts

- Excerpt from News of Note:

USTR Requests Public Comments Regarding Canada And Mexico’s Participation In Trans-Pacific Partnership Negotiations Shannon Doyle -

On July 23, 2012, USTR published two notices in the Federal Register regarding Canada and Mexico’s inclusion on the list of Trans-Pacific Partnership member countries. USTR announced that it is seeking public comments on all elements related to Canada and Mexico’s participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations “in order to develop U.S. negotiating positions.” USTR is particularly interested in comments regarding “the reduction or elimination of tariffs or non-tariff barriers in any articles provided for in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States,” as well as “any concessions that should be sought by the United States” or “any new and emerging issues.” USTR plans to review the impact of the TPP agreement on U.S. employment and labor markets at a later date, taking into account the inclusion of Mexico and Canada.