Chemical Industry Hones Policy For Upcoming Trade Negotiations

Abstract

It now appears certain that U.S. trade officials will be cramming for a new round of multilateral trade negotiations scheduled to be held next year under the General Agreement on Tariffs & Trade (C&EN, Oct. 7, page 12). It also appears certain that the close-knit cadre of trade experts that mold chemical industry trade policy will find their schedules busier than ever. In the major trade associations, such as the Chemical Manufacturers Association and the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association, members of the international trade committees are busy formulating a trade policy for their respective boards to approve. Approved trade policy statements probably won't be long in coming. The industry's trade experts haven't been sitting on their hands waiting for GATT delegates to make their move in Geneva. Out of their preparatory work, one thing comes through loud and clear. The focal point of an emerging chemical industry trade policy is—and has been—multilateral trade negotiations, ...