Wiley Rein Partner Timothy Brightbill Interviewed on Trans-Pacific Partnership Talks

September 13, 2011

Timothy Brightbill, a partner in Wiley Rein's International Trade Practice, did a video interview with MetalMiner during trade talks between countries in the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Comprised of the United States and eight other countries in Asia and South America, the TPP is holding its eighth round of free trade agreement negotiations. The Obama Administration hopes to conclude TPP negotiations as soon as the end of 2011.

Mr. Brightbill, who attended the conference and made a presentation to negotiators as a representative of Nucor Corporation, told MetalMiner that domestic manufacturers are urging the U.S. government to put "laws and mechanisms in place" to deal with the behavior of foreign state-owned enterprises. Mr. Brightbill added that the TPP is a chance to establish benchmarks for future U.S. trade agreements and that "there will be a disciplining effect on China." The United States is also urging all TPP countries to eliminate export taxes, which act as barriers to global trade in key raw materials.

In a second article in MetalMiner, Mr. Brightbill told the publication that China is using state-owned enterprises to name "national champions" and "seize control" of foreign industries. "The concern we have is: what happens what state-owned enterprises come abroad, to the US?" said Mr. Brightbill. "The US is very concerned that there are no laws or mechanisms in place" to assure that state-owned enterprises, whether operating at home or abroad, act only on a commercial basis in their investments and their operations.

The second interview can be read here.