The California Council for International Trade (CCIT) 8th Annual Trade Policy Forum

The theme of this year's Forum is “U.S. Trade Policy: Regaining Momentum in 2006.” This truly will be a momentous year in U.S. trade policy. Significant progress must be made – and fast – if the WTO's Doha Round of negotiations is to successfully close prior to the expiration of U.S. Trade Promotion Authority in June 2007. Notwithstanding the status of WTO negotiations, globalization continues to accelerate. Within this context those involved in the formulation of U.S. trade policy must continue to question whether, or to what extent, bilateral and/or regional free trade agreements should be actively pursued. Our resolve to keep the homeland secure is creating tensions that threatens trade expansion. In 2006, U.S. trade policy-makers will be compelled to make crucial decisions on fundamental issues that impact the global economy, all at a time when the general public is less supportive of trade expansion than in the past. The Trade Policy Forum will carefully analyze the enormous challenges these pressures create, inviting input from all perspectives. The Forum will be of particular interest to our special guests, the California Congressional delegation.

Crowell & Moring's Brian Peck and C&M International's Doral Cooper will be participating in this day-long event. Brian will be a part of a panel discussion entitled, <i>Hot Topics: Labor Standards and Intellectual Property Rights. Doral will be participating in the panel, Bilateral and Regional Free Trade Agreements: The New Wave or Dead in the Water</i>?