ExecutiveOrdersEO
MemoMemorandumG.W. Bush · R

Presidential Memorandum

Determinations Under Section 1106(a) of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988Separate Customs

President Bush issued a determination required by the 1988 Omnibus Trade Act regarding Taiwan's WTO accession, finding that Taiwan's state trading enterprises do not significantly burden U.S. trade or the U.S. economy. The U.S. Trade Representative was directed to publish the memorandum in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 66 FR 57359

Impact dates

  1. USTR to publish memorandum in Federal Register

Key directives

  • Determine that Taiwan's state trading enterprises do not significantly burden U.S. trade
  • Direct USTR to publish memorandum in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Determination issued
  • USTR directed to publish in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

  • Federal Register publication

Long term

  • Taiwan WTO accession proceeds without U.S. objection on state trading enterprise grounds

Risks & tensions

  • Taiwan's unique WTO nomenclature ('Separate Customs Territory') reflects political sensitivities in cross-strait relations
  • Determination is pro forma negative finding; statutory requirement rather than discretionary policy shift
Presidential Memorandum: Determinations Under Section 1106(a) of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988Separate Customs · Executive Orders