Online Casinos Watch Obama USTR Pledge Trade Enforcement
Ron Kirk, President Obama's choice to be the United States Trade Representative, promises to be more about enforcement of trade agreements and less about creating new deals. Kirk's pledge cheers online casino operators in both Antigua and Europe, who feel the US has neglected obligations to foreign online gambling sites and ignored trade accords.
Appearing before the US Senate for confirmation proceedings, Kirk told the members of the Finance Committee that the Obama administration will focus on enforcing trade deals already inked, rather than worry about adding new compacts.
Susan Schwab, USTR under President Bush, was noted for her office's dismissal of a World Trade Organization penalty levied against the US for damages done Antigua in violation of trade in service agreements. Despite a WTO finding that the US owed Antigua $21 million annually, Schwab missed deadline after deadline to resolve the issue.
Further, the European Commission has completed an investigation into US protectionism regarding Internet gambling, and is prepared to bring a formal complaint before the WTO. When asked to respond before the inquiry was begun, Schwab's office told the EC it saw no reason to reply to baseless accusations.
Kirk clearly meant to emphasize a more orderly and detailed review of new proposed deals, but the Internet gaming community hopes he means holding both sides responsible for the commitments they have made.
