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U.S. Trade Deficit and the Impact of Rising Oil Prices [Updated September 12, 2008]
"Petroleum prices have continued to rise sharply in 2008, at one time reaching more than $140 per barrel of crude oil. At the same time the average monthly volume of imports of energy-related petroleum products has fallen slightly. The combination of sharply rising prices and a slightly lower level of imports of energy-related petroleum products translates into an escalating cost for those imports. This rising cost added an estimated $50 billion to the nation's trade deficit in 2006 and another $28 billion in 2007. The prices of energy imports have been on a steady rise since summer of 2007, defying the pattern of declining energy import prices in the fall. This report provides an estimate of the initial impact of the rising oil prices on the nation's merchandise trade deficit. This report will be updated as warranted by events."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jackson, James K., 1949-
2008-09-12
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U.S.-China Military Contacts: Issues for Congress [April 17, 2013]
"This CRS [Congressional Research Service] report, updated as warranted, discusses policy issues regarding military-to-military (mil-to-mil) contacts with the People's Republic of China (PRC) and provides a record of major contacts and crises since 1993. The United States suspended military contacts with China and imposed sanctions on arms sales in response to the Tiananmen Crackdown in 1989. In 1993, the Clinton Administration re-engaged with the top PRC leadership, including China's military, the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Renewed military exchanges with the PLA have not regained the closeness reached in the 1980s, when U.S.-PRC strategic cooperation against the Soviet Union included U.S. arms sales to China. Improvements and deteriorations in overall bilateral relations have affected military contacts, which were close in 1997-1998 and 2000, but marred by the 1995-1996 Taiwan Strait crisis, mistaken NATO bombing of a PRC embassy in 1999, the EP- 3 aircraft collision crisis in 2001, and aggressive maritime confrontations (including in 2009). Issues for Congress include whether the Obama Administration has complied with legislation overseeing dealings with the PLA and pursued contacts with the PLA that advance a prioritized set of U.S. security interests, especially the operational safety of U.S. military personnel."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kan, Shirley
2013-04-17
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U.S. Nuclear Cooperation with India: Issues for Congress [April 8, 2010]
"India, which has not signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) and does not have International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards on all nuclear material in peaceful nuclear activities, exploded a 'peaceful' nuclear device in 1974, convincing the world of the need for greater restrictions on nuclear trade. The United States created the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) as a direct response to India's test, halted nuclear exports to India a few years later, and worked to convince other states to do the same. India tested nuclear weapons again in 1998. However, President Bush announced July 18, 2005, he would 'work to achieve full civil nuclear energy cooperation with India' and would 'also seek agreement from Congress to adjust U.S. laws and policies,' in the context of a broader partnership with India. [...] U.S. companies have not yet started nuclear trade with India. New Delhi had reportedly insisted that India and the United States conclude an agreement on a reprocessing facility in India before New Delhi would sign contracts with U.S. nuclear firms. However, the countries announced March 29 that they had concluded the agreement. The Administration must submit the subsequent arrangement to Congress, but has not yet done so. The proposed arrangement shall not take effect if Congress adopts a joint resolution of disapproval. It is worth noting that U.S. firms will likely be very reluctant to engage in nuclear trade with India if the government does not become party to the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage, which has not yet entered into force."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kerr, Paul K.
2010-04-08
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U.S.-Mexican Security Cooperation: The Merida Initiative and Beyond [January 26, 2011]
"This report provides a framework for examining the current status and future prospects for U.S.- Mexican security cooperation. It begins with a brief discussion of the scope of the threat that drug trafficking and related crime and violence now pose to Mexico and the United States, followed by an analysis of the development and implementation of the Mérida Initiative. It then analyzes key aspects of the new U.S.-Mexican security strategy. The report concludes by raising some policy issues that may affect U.S.-Mexican security cooperation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando; Finklea, Kristin M.
2011-01-26
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U.S.-Vietnam Economic and Trade Relations: Issues for the 112th Congress [December 27, 2010]
"Since the resumption of trade relations in the 1990s, Vietnam has rapidly risen to become a significant trading partner for the United States. Along with the growth of bilateral trade, a number of issues of common concerns, and sometimes disagreement, have emerged between the two nations. Congress may play a direct role in the U.S. policy on some of these issues. [...] The growth in bilateral trade has not been without its accompanying issues and problems. Vietnam has applied for acceptance into the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program and is participating in negotiations of a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with the United States. Vietnam also would like to have the United States officially recognize it as a market economy. [...] An examination of recent trends in bilateral trade reveals that other product categories--such as footwear, furniture, and electrical machinery--could generate future tension between the United States and Vietnam. Observers of Vietnam's economic development have also been critical of Vietnam's protection of workers' rights, its enforcement of intellectual property rights laws and regulations, and the country's exchange rate policies. The 112th Congress may play an important role in one or more of these issues, as have past Congresses. The 112th Congress would have to consider implementing legislation if a TPP [Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement] agreement is concluded. If the 112th Congress should take up GSP renewal, it may also consider Vietnam's pending application. The 112th Congress may also weigh in on its designation as a market or non-market economy. Finally, if current growth trends continue, Congress may be asked to act on the rising amount of footwear, furniture, and/or electrical machinery being imported from Vietnam. This report will be updated as circumstances require."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Martin, Michael F.
2010-12-27
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U.S. Trade Policy and the Caribbean: From Trade Preferences to Free Trade Agreements [January 6, 2011]
"This report reviews unilateral preference programs for the Caribbean, discusses how they have been affected by FTAs [Free Trade Agreements] in the region, and considers trade policy options for dealing with countries still relying on trade preferences and that may be considering whether to negotiate an FTA with the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hornbeck, J. F. (John F.); Ewing, Walter A.
2011-01-06
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U.S. Trade Policy and the Caribbean: From Trade Preferences to Free Trade Agreements [June 22, 2010]
"This report reviews unilateral preference programs for the Caribbean, discusses how they have been affected by FTAs [Free Trade Agreements] in the region, and considers trade policy options for dealing with countries still relying on trade preferences and that may be considering whether to negotiate an FTA with the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hornbeck, J. F. (John F.); Ewing, Walter A.
2010-06-22
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U.S. Global Climate Change Policy: Evolving Views on Cost, Competitiveness, and Comprehensiveness [June 25, 2010]
"The nature of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions) makes their control difficult to integrate with the U.S economy and traditional U.S. energy policy. Despite the obvious interrelationship between energy policy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the United States has struggled to integrate the two. For a country that has traditionally used its relatively cheap supply of energy to substitute for more expensive labor and capital costs to compete internationally, this linkage is particularly strong, as witnessed by the nation's high GHG emissions per capita. In the face of this economic reality, along with continuing scientific uncertainty, debate over a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction program can be categorized by three inter-related Cs: Cost, Competitiveness, and Comprehensiveness. [...] Fundamental policy assumptions regarding each of the three Cs have changed between the U.S. ratification of the 1992 UNFCCC [United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change] and key events of the first decade of the 21st century--the George W. Bush Administration's 2001 decision to abandon the Kyoto Protocol process and the 2009 negotiations at Copenhagen. [...] The Copenhagen Agreement tried to preserve the twin goals of economic development and emissions reductions by allowing each nation to determine the costs it would accept; and also by establishing a mechanism by which the developed nations would provide funds for greenhouse gas reduction actions by developing nations. What remains to be seen is whether any voluntary program can successfully reduce emissions sufficiently to meet the UNFCCC goal of holding the increase in global temperatures to 2 degrees C."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Parker, Larry, 1954-; Blodgett, John E.; Yacobucci, Brent D.
2010-06-28
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U.S.-Latin America Trade: Recent Trends and Policy Issues [February 8, 2011]
"Trade is one of the more enduring issues in contemporary U.S.-Latin America relations. Latin America is far from the largest U.S. regional trade partner, but historically is the fastest growing one. Between 1998 and 2009, total U.S. merchandise trade (exports plus imports) with Latin America grew by 82% compared to 72% for Asia (driven largely by China), 51% for the European Union, 221% for Africa, and 64% for the world. [...] Latin American countries have made noted progress in trade liberalization, reducing tariffs significantly and entering into their own regional agreements. This development presented an opportunity for the United States, which has supported deeper regional integration because it has been widely viewed as beneficial for both economic and foreign policy reasons. The United States has implemented comprehensive bilateral or plurilateral reciprocal trade agreements with most of its important trade partners in Latin America. [...] With respect to FTA [Free Trade Agreement] implementation, another critical issue is the provision of trade capacity building and other technical assistance to address supply-side constraints in areas such as port and customs operations modernization, infrastructure investment, technology enhancement, and development of common standards in general. These are often major constraints to the more fluid movement of goods in Latin American countries. It is uncertain what the next step in Western Hemisphere economic integration may be, and these alternatives may be difficult to implement and monitor. But at the margin, they could provide benefits in light of the apparent hiatus in moving ahead with either a multilateral or hemispheric trade accord."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hornbeck, J. F. (John F.)
2011-02-08
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U.S. Direct Investment Abroad: Trends and Current Issues [February 1, 2011]
"The United States is the largest investor abroad and the largest recipient of direct investment in the world. For some Americans, the national gains attributed to investing overseas are offset by such perceived losses as displaced U.S. workers and lower wages. Some observers believe U.S. firms invest abroad to avoid U.S. labor unions or high U.S. wages, however, 70% of U.S. foreign direct investment is concentrated in high income developed countries. Even more striking is the fact that the share of investment going to developing countries has fallen in recent years. Most economists conclude that direct investment abroad does not lead to fewer jobs or lower incomes overall for Americans and that the majority of jobs lost among U.S. manufacturing firms over the past decade reflect a broad restructuring of U.S. manufacturing industries."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jackson, James K., 1949-
2011-02-01
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U.S. Military Casualty Statistics: Operation New Dawn, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom [September 28, 2010]
"This report presents difficult-to-find statistics regarding U.S. military casualties in Operation New Dawn (OND), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF, Afghanistan), including those concerning post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), amputations, evacuations, and the demographics of casualties. Some of these statistics are publicly available at the Department of Defense's (DOD's) website, while others have been obtained through contact with experts at DOD. Daily updates of total U.S. military casualties in OND, OIF, and OEF can be found at the DOD's website, at http://www.defenselink.mil/news/casualty.pdf. In addition, CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report R40824, 'Iraq Casualties: U.S. Military Forces and Iraqi Civilians, Police, and Security Forces', contains statistics on U.S. military and Iraqi civilian casualties, while CRS Report R41084, 'Afghanistan Casualties: Military Forces and Civilians', contains statistics on U.S. military and Afghan civilian casualties."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Labonte, Marc
2010-09-28
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U.S.-South Korea Relations [April 26, 2013]
"South Korea is one of the United States' most important strategic and economic partners in Asia. Members of Congress tend to be interested South Korea-related issues for a number of reasons. First, the United States and South Korea have been allies since the early 1950s. Under their military alliance, the United States is committed to helping South Korea defend itself, particularly against any aggression from North Korea. The United States maintains about 28,500 troops in the ROK and South Korea is included under the U.S. 'nuclear umbrella.' Second, Washington and Seoul cooperate over how to deal with the challenges posed by North Korea. Third, South Korea's emergence as a global player on a number of issues has provided greater opportunities for the two countries' governments, businesses, and private organizations to interact and cooperate with one another. Fourth, the two countries' economies are closely entwined and are joined by the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), the United States' second-largest FTA. South Korea is the United States' seventh-largest trading partner. The United States is South Korea's third-largest trading partner. Since late 2008, relations between the United States and South Korea (known officially as the Republic of Korea, or ROK) have been arguably at their best state in decades. Much of the current closeness between Seoul and Washington is due to the convergence of interests between the Obama Administration and the government of former President Lee Myung-bak, who left office at the end of February 2013. The overall U.S.-South Korean relationship is expected to remain healthy under new President Park Geun-hye, although she has hinted at policy moves that could cause intense bilateral discussions, particularly over North Korea policy and the renewal of a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Manyin, Mark E.; Nikitin, Mary Beth Dunham; Chanlett-Avery, Emma . . .
2013-04-26
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U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement: Background and Issues [May 1, 2008]
"The proposed U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) is a bilateral free trade agreement between the United States and Colombia which, if ratified, would eliminate tariffs and other barriers in goods and services between the two countries. The CFTA negotiations grew out of a regional effort to produce a U.S.-Andean free trade agreement among the United States, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador in May 2004. After negotiators failed to reach an agreement for an Andean FTA [Free Trade Agreement], Colombia continued negotiations with the United States for a bilateral trade agreement. On February 27, 2006, the United States and Colombia concluded the U.S.-Colombia FTA, and finalized the text of the agreement on July 8, 2006. On August 24, 2006, President Bush notified the Congress of his intention to sign the U.S.-Colombia FTA. The two countries signed the agreement on November 22, 2006. The United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act (H.R. 5724/S. 2830) was introduced in the 110th Congress on April 8, 2008. The bills were introduced under Title XXI (Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2002) of the Trade Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-210). Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) requires an expedited process, with limited debate, and a mandatory vote without amendment. Under TPA, the Congress has 90 days of session to consider an agreement. The House leadership considered that the President had submitted the implementing legislation without sufficient coordination with the Congress, and on April 10 the House voted 224-195 to make certain provisions in § 151 of the Trade Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-618) inapplicable to the CFTA [Columbia Free Trade Agreement] implementing legislation (H.Res. 1092). These provisions set up expedited legislative procedures applicable to implementing legislation for FTAs negotiated under authorities of the Trade Act of 2002. The Senate cannot act on the bill until it passes the House, which must act first because the bill would affect revenue. The U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement is highly controversial and it is currently unclear whether or how Congress will consider implementing legislation in the future."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Villarreal, M. Angeles
2008-05-01
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U.S. Textile Manufacturing and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Negotiations [October 5, 2012]
"The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) is a proposed regional free trade agreement (FTA) currently under negotiation among 11 Pacific Rim countries. Initiated under President George W. Bush, the TPP concept has wide bipartisan support. As the negotiations progress, provisions concerning textile trade have become a major point of contention, attracting considerable congressional attention and debate. This report examines the potential implications of a prospective TPP agreement on the U.S. textile manufacturing industry. In 2011, the United States exported nearly $14 billion in yarns and fabrics worldwide. Almost two-thirds of this output was sold to Western Hemisphere nations that are members of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or the Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). Both FTAs provide that certain exports from member countries may enter the U.S. market duty-free only if they are made from textiles produced in the region. This has encouraged manufacturers in Mexico and Central America to use U.S.-made yarns and fabrics in apparel, home furnishings, and other products. Exports to the NAFTA and CAFTA-DR countries contributed to a U.S. trade surplus of $2.5 billion in yarns and fabrics in 2011. The TPP marks the first FTA negotiation for the United States after the complete end of quotas on textile and apparel trade. Duty-free access to the U.S. market under TPP could be of considerable benefit to Asian manufacturers, which now face U.S. import duties on textiles and apparel of up to 32%. Textile industry trade groups have warned that, if approved, the TPP could lead to domestic job loss if it results in apparel producers in the Western Hemisphere, which often use U.S.-made textiles, losing U.S. market share to producers in Vietnam and other TPP countries. Aligned against them are retailers and apparel companies that want to be able to import apparel from the lowest-cost producer, regardless of whether U.S. textiles are used; they urge full inclusion of textiles and apparel in any TPP agreement and favor preferential access for apparel cut and sewn from fabric made in countries not included in the TPP, such as China."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Platzer, Michaela D.
2012-10-05
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U.S. Trade Deficit and the Impact of Changing Oil Prices [April 16, 2013]
"Petroleum prices rose sharply between January 2012 and April 2012, at times reaching more than $109 per barrel of crude oil. Although this is still below the $140 per barrel price reached in 2008, the rising cost of energy was one factor that helped to dampen the rate of growth in the economy during the second half of 2011 and the first half of 2012. Since June 2012, oil prices have hovered around $95 per barrel. As the price of oil rose, the volume of oil imports, or the amount of oil imported, decreased slightly from the comparable period in 2011. In general, market demand for oil remains highly resistant to changes in oil prices and reflects the unique nature of the demand for energy-related imports. In addition, sustained demand for crude oil in the face of higher prices reflected an increase in economic activity that occurred following the worst part of the economic recession in 2009. Turmoil in the Middle East was an important factor that caused petroleum prices to rise sharply in early 2011 and in 2012. Although prices for imported crude oil fluctuated somewhat throughout 2011, they averaged 30% higher than in 2010 and added about $100 billion to the total U.S. trade deficit in 2011. Oil futures markets in April 2013 indicated that oil traders expected prices to trend downward from the average per barrel price of $95 recorded in December 2012 to around $90 per barrel by the fall of 2013. On average, energy import prices in 2012 were slightly higher than they were in 2011, pushing up the price of energy to consumers. At times, some elements of the public pressured Congress to provide relief to households that are struggling to meet their current expenses. This report provides an estimate of the initial impact of the changing oil prices on the nation's merchandise trade balance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jackson, James K., 1949-
2013-04-16
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Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act: Background and Issues [Updated September 19, 2008]
"Members of the military and U.S. citizens who live abroad are eligible to register and vote absentee in federal elections under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) of 1986. The law was enacted to improve absentee registration and voting for this group of voters and to consolidate existing laws. Since 1942, a number of federal laws have been enacted to assist these voters: the Soldier Voting Act of 1942 (amended in 1944), the Federal Voting Assistance Act of 1955, the Overseas Citizens Voting Rights Act of 1975 (both the 1955 and 1975 laws were amended in 1978 to improve procedures), and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986. The law is administered by the Secretary of Defense, who delegates that responsibility to the Director of the Federal Voting Assistance Program at the Department of Defense (DOD). Improvements to UOCAVA were necessary as the result of controversy surrounding ballots received in Florida from military and overseas voters in the 2000 presidential election. Both the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2002 (P.L. 107-107; S. 1438) and the Help America Vote Act (P.L. 107-252; H.R.3295) included provisions concerning military and overseas voting. The President signed P.L. 107-107 on December 28, 2001, and P.L. 107-252 on October 29, 2002. The Defense Authorization Act for FY2005 amended UOCAVA as well, to ease the rules for use of the federal write-in ballot in place of state absentee ballots. The act was signed by the President on October 28, 2004. This report will be updated periodically to reflect new developments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Coleman, Kevin J.
2008-09-19
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United Nations System Funding: Congressional Issues [September 17, 2007]
"The congressional debate over United Nations funding focuses on several questions, including (1) What is the appropriate level of U.S. funding for U.N. system operations and programs? (2) What U.S. funding actions are most likely to produce a positive continuation of U.N. system reform efforts? The U.N. system includes the United Nations, a number of specialized or affiliated agencies, voluntary and special funds and programs, and U.N. peacekeeping operations. Participating states finance the system with assessed contributions to the budgets of the United Nations and its specialized agencies. In addition, voluntary contributions are made both to those agencies and to the special programs and funds they set up and manage. For more than 60 years, the United States has been the single largest financial contributor to the U.N. system, supplying in recent years 22% of most U.N. agency budgets. (See Appendix B for an organizational chart that illustrates the components of the U.N. system.) Both Congress and the executive branch have sought to promote their policy goals and reform of the United Nations and its system of organizations and programs, especially to improve management and budgeting practices. In the 1990s, Congress linked payment of U.S. financial contributions and its arrears to reform. This report, which will be updated, tracks the process by which Congress provides the funding for U.S. assessed contributions to the regular budgets of the United Nations, its agencies, and U.N. peacekeeping operation accounts, as well for U.S. voluntary contributions to U.N. system programs and funds. It includes information on the President's request and the congressional response, as well as congressional initiatives during this legislative process. Basic information is provided to help the reader understand this process."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Browne, Marjorie Ann; Nakamura, Kennon H.
2007-09-17
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United States-Canada Trade and Economic Relationship: Prospects and Challenges [March 29, 2006]
"The United States and Canada conduct the world's largest bilateral trade relationship, with total merchandise trade (exports and imports) exceeding $499.3 billion in 2005. The U.S.-Canadian relationship revolves around the themes of integration and asymmetry: integration from successive trade liberalization from the U.S.- Canada Auto Pact of 1965 leading to North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and asymmetry resulting from Canadian dependence on the U.S. market and from the disparate size of the two economies. The economies of the United States and Canada are highly integrated, a process that has been accelerated by the bilateral U.S.-Canada free trade agreement (FTA) of 1988 and the NAFTA of 1994. Both are affluent industrialized economies, with similar standards of living and industrial structure. However, the two economies diverge in size, per capita income, productivity and net savings."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Fergusson, Ian F.
2006-03-29
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United States and Europe: Current Issues [March 16, 2009]
"Many observers stress that in terms of security and prosperity the United States and Europe have grown increasingly interdependent. Both sides of the Atlantic face a common set of challenges, including terrorism and transnational crime, weapons proliferation, energy security, climate change and environmental degradation, the destabilizing effects of failing and rogue states, and instability in global financial markets. Both sides are proponents of democracy, open societies, human rights, and free markets. Supporters of close U.S.-European cooperation argue that neither the United States nor Europe can adequately address such an agenda alone, and that the track record shows that the two sides can accomplish much more when they work together. […] This report discusses nine broad topics selected as key issues in U.S.-European interests and relations. It does not represent a full survey of what would be a very long list of global issues that relate to important U.S. and European interests. For example, the United States and Europe share concerns about democratization in countries like Belarus and others around the world. Both sides share concerns about stability in the Balkans, Ukraine, Georgia, the Caucasus region and central Asia. Relations with countries such as China, India, and Turkey, as well as the countries of Africa, are of great importance to both. While not every such important topic is covered in this report, the nine issues that are presented are intended to capture a broad overview of some of the highest priority items on the transatlantic agenda."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mix, Derek E.
2009-03-16
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United States and Europe: Current Issues [June 20, 2011]
"Due to extensive cooperation on a wide range of issues, the relationship between the United States and Europe is often called the transatlantic partnership. In many areas, the two sides share common values and overlapping interests, and have grown increasingly interdependent in terms of security and prosperity. The majority of Europeans warmly welcomed President Barack Obama to office, and his popularity suggested opportunities for the United States and Europe to address the common set of global challenges they face. In dealing with this difficult agenda, however, observers note that the constructive tone of the relationship does not necessarily translate into tangible foreign policy results. Overall, transatlantic cooperation is strong on many key issues, but some concerns and points of tension also persist. As the United States and Europe deal with changing geopolitical realities, some new anxieties are surfacing about the future of the transatlantic partnership."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mix, Derek E.
2011-06-20
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United States and Europe: Current Issues [December 8, 2010]
"Due to extensive cooperation on a wide range of issues, the relationship between the United States and Europe is often called the transatlantic partnership. In many areas, the two sides share common values and overlapping interests, and have grown increasingly interdependent in terms of security and prosperity. The majority of Europeans warmly welcomed President Barack Obama to office, and his popularity suggested opportunities for the United States and Europe to address the common set of global challenges they face. In dealing with this difficult agenda, however, observers note that the constructive tone of the relationship does not necessarily translate into tangible foreign policy results. Overall, transatlantic cooperation is strong on many key issues, but some concerns and points of tension also persist. As the United States and Europe deal with changing geopolitical realities, some new anxieties are surfacing about the future of the transatlantic partnership."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mix, Derek E.
2010-12-08
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U.S. International Trade: Trends and Forecasts [Updated September 5, 2008]
"This report provides an overview of the current status, trends, and forecasts for U.S. international trade. The purpose of this report is to provide current data and brief explanations for the various types of trade flows, particularly U.S. exports, along with a short discussion of particular trends and points of contention related to trade policy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nanto, Dick Kazuyuki; Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias; Donnelly, J. Michael
2008-09-05
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U.S. International Trade: Trends and Forecasts [Updated May 30, 2008]
"This report provides an overview of the current status, trends, and forecasts for U.S. international trade. The purpose of this report is to provide current data and brief explanations for the various types of trade flows, particularly U.S. exports, along with a short discussion of particular trends and points of contention related to trade policy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nanto, Dick Kazuyuki; Akhtar, Shayerah Ilias; Donnelly, J. Michael
2008-05-30
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U.S.-Russian Civilian Nuclear Cooperation Agreement: Issues for Congress [Updated June 9, 2008]
"The United States and Russia signed a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement on May 6, 2008. President Bush submitted the agreement to Congress on May 13. This report discusses key policy issues related to that agreement, including future nuclear energy cooperation with Russia, U.S.-Russian bilateral relations, nonproliferation cooperation and Russia's policies toward Iran. This report will be updated."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service; Tearfund
Nikitin, Mary Beth Dunham
2008-06-09
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U.S. Direct Investment Abroad: Trends and Current Issues [Updated August 15, 2008]
"The United States is the largest investor abroad and the largest recipient of direct investment in the world. For some Americans, the national gains attributed to investing overseas are offset by such perceived losses as displaced U.S. workers and lower wages. Some observers believe U.S. firms invest abroad to avoid U.S. labor unions or high U.S. wages, however, 70% of U.S. foreign direct investment is concentrated in high income developed countries. Even more striking is the fact that the share of investment going to developing countries has fallen in recent years. Most economists conclude that direct investment abroad does not lead to fewer jobs or lower incomes overall for Americans and that the majority of jobs lost among U.S. manufacturing firms over the past decade reflect a broad restructuring of U.S. manufacturing industries. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jackson, James K., 1949-
2008-08-15
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U.S. Farm Economy [Updated April 17, 2008]
"According to USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS), national net farm income -- a key indicator of U.S. farm well-being -- is expected to rise to a record $92.3 billion in 2008, over 4% above the previous year's record ($88.7 billion) on the strength of higher commodity prices, which are being driven by the outlook for continued strong domestic and international demand and sharply lower stocks for major grains and oilseeds.1 Consequently, the outlook for the U.S. farm economy as a whole is for another year of record profitability as projected record agricultural cash receipts of $313.2 billion (up $28 billion or 10%) more than offset record high production expenses of $279.2 billion. Government payments are projected up over 11% in 2008 at $13.7 billion. An increase in ad hoc and emergency program payments are expected to more than offset sharp declines in commodity program payments due to the projected rise in crop prices which, in turn, are expected to reduce price-triggered marketing loan benefits and counter-cyclical payments. Total farm asset value of $2,514 billion and total farm debt of $228 billion are both projected at record levels in 2007. However, the debt-to-asset ratio of 9.1% is down sharply from last year's value of 9.9% and represents the lowest level since 1960, suggesting a strong financial position for the agricultural sector as a whole. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Schnepf, Randall Dean, 1954-
2008-04-17
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U.S. Periods of War [Updated August 19, 2008]
"Many wars or conflicts in U.S. history have federally designated 'periods of war,' dates marking their beginning and ending. These dates are important for qualification for certain veterans' pension or disability benefits. Confusion can occur because beginning and ending dates for 'periods of war' in many nonofficial sources are often different from those given in treaties and other official sources of information, and armistice dates can be confused with termination dates. This report lists the beginning and ending dates for 'periods of war' found in Title 38 of the 'Code of Federal Regulations', dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It also lists and differentiates other beginning dates given in declarations of war, as well as termination of hostilities' dates and armistice and ending dates given in proclamations, laws, or treaties. This report will be updated when events warrant. For additional information, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL31133, 'Declarations of War and Authorizations for the Use of Military Force: Historical Background and Legal Implications.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Torreon, Barbara Salazar
2008-08-19
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U.S. Embassy in Iraq [Updated August 8, 2008]
"Construction of the New Embassy Compound (NEC) in Baghdad is completed and, as of early August 2008, about 50% of post staff have moved in. Construction problems and additional requirements, including adding space at the embassy compound for General Patraeus and his staff, as requested in a mid-2007 report by State's then- Director of Management and Planning, delayed the opening by a year and raised the cost from the original $592 million estimate to about $736 million. The Department of State has a goal of having all U.S. government personnel moved in by the end of 2008. This report will be not be updated."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Epstein, Susan B.
2008-08-08
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U.S. Trade Deficit and the Impact of Rising Oil Prices [Updated August 12, 2008]
"Petroleum prices have continued to rise sharply in 2008, at one time reaching more than $140 per barrel of crude oil. At the same time the average monthly volume of imports of energy-related petroleum products has fallen slightly. The combination of sharply rising prices and a slightly lower level of imports of energy-related petroleum products translates into an escalating cost for those imports. This rising cost added an estimated $50 billion to the nation's trade deficit in 2006 and another $28 billion in 2007. The prices of energy imports have been on a steady rise since summer of 2007, defying the pattern of declining energy import prices in the fall. This report provides an estimate of the initial impact of the rising oil prices on the nation's merchandise trade deficit. This report will be updated as warranted by events."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Jackson, James K., 1949-
2008-08-12
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U.S.-Taiwan Relationship: Overview of Policy Issues [May 8, 2013]
"The purpose and scope of this CRS [Congressional Research Service] report is to provide a succinct overview with analysis of the issues in the U.S.-Taiwan relationship. This report will be updated as warranted. Taiwan formally calls itself the sovereign Republic of China (ROC), tracing its political lineage to the ROC set up after the revolution in 1911 in China. The ROC government retreated to Taipei in 1949. The United States recognized the ROC until the end of 1978 and has maintained a non-diplomatic relationship with Taiwan after recognition of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in Beijing in 1979. The State Department claims an 'unofficial' U.S. relationship with Taiwan, despite official contacts that include arms sales. The Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) of 1979, P.L. [Public Law] 96-8, has governed policy in the absence of a diplomatic relationship or a defense treaty. Other key statements that guide policy are the three U.S.-PRC Joint Communiqués of 1972, 1979, and 1982; as well as the 'Six Assurances' of 1982."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kan, Shirley; Morrison, Wayne M.
2013-05-08
