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Thompson Hine LLP, a full-service business law firm with approximately 400 lawyers in 11 offices, was ranked number 1 in the category “Most innovative North American law firms: New working models” by The Financial Times and was 1 of 7 firms shortlisted for The American Lawyer’s inaugural Legal Services Innovation Award. The firm has been recognized by the National Law Journal as a Legal Technology Trailblazer and featured by Bloomberg for its innovative service delivery models, which drive accuracy and predictability. The firm’s commitment to innovation is embodied in Thompson Hine SmartPaTHTM – a smarter way to work – predictable, efficient and aligned with client goals. For more information, please visit ThompsonHine.com and ThompsonHine.com/SmartPaTH.

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On October 16, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) notified Congress of the Trump administration&rsquo;s plans to enter into free trade agreement negotiations with the European Union (EU). (See <a href="https://www.trumpandtrade.com/2018/10/u-s-trade-representative-announces-intent-launch-trade-negotiations-japan-european-union-united-kingdom/">Trump and Trade Update dated October 17, 2018</a>.) The USTR is seeking to remove both tariff and non-tariff barriers and to achieve fairer, more balanced trade. To further develop its negotiating objectives, USTR has <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2018-11-15/pdf/2018-24979.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">requested public comment</a>s on such an agreement, including U.S. interests and priorities.
The USTR is specifically seeking comments on these issues:
<ul>
<li>General and product-specific negotiating objectives for the proposed agreement.</li>
<li>Relevant barriers to trade in goods and services between the United States and the EU that should be addressed in the negotiations.</li>
<li>The economic costs and benefits for U.S. producers and consumers of the removal or reduction of tariffs and removal or reduction of non-tariff barriers on articles traded with the EU.</li>
<li>Treatment of specific goods (described by U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule numbers) under the proposed agreement, including comments on: (i) product-specific import or export interests or barriers; (ii) experience with particular measures that should be addressed in the negotiations; and (iii) ways to address export priorities and import sensitivities in the context of the proposed agreement.</li>
<li>Customs and trade facilitation issues that should be addressed in the negotiations.</li>
<li>Sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers to trade that should be addressed in the negotiations.</li>
<li>Other measures or practices that undermine fair market opportunities for U.S. businesses, workers, farmers and ranchers that should be addressed in the negotiations.</li>
</ul>
Written comments addressing USTR&rsquo;s negotiating objectives must be submitted no later than December 10, 2018. USTR&rsquo;s Trade Policy Staff Committee will hold a public hearing on these negotiating objectives on December 14, 2018; any request to appear and testify must be submitted by November 26. Requests to testify and written comments must be filed through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.regulations.gov</a> on Docket No. USTR-2018-0035.

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SmarTrade

USTR Requests Comments on Objectives for a U.S.-EU Free Trade Agreement