China issues delay US-Russia WTO talks: Portman

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. frustration with high rates of
piracy and counterfeiting in China is one reason Russia’s bid
to join the World Trade Organization has taken so long, U.S.
Trade Representative Rob Portman said on Thursday.

“One reason we have not been able to close with Russia …
is because we are insistent on certain improvements in IPR
(intellectual property rights). Not just in laws and
regulations, but in enforcement,” Portman said.

The need to make sure Russia has a strong anti-piracy
regime in place before the United States signs off on the deal
“is a major lesson learned” from negotiations that led to
China’s entry into the WTO in 2001, Portman told reporters
after a meeting with Democratic lawmakers.

Washington has been pressing Beijing to take stronger
action to stamp out piracy and counterfeiting and is
considering bringing a WTO case against China if that country
does not act soon to enforce rules agreed to when it joined the
world trade body.

The International Intellectual Property Alliance, which
represents U.S. film, music and other copyright groups, has
urged Portman’s office to suspend current trade benefits for
Russia because of widespread piracy estimated to cost American
companies about $1.76 billion in lost sales in 2005.

That compares with estimated losses of about $2.4 billion
in China, four years after it joined the WTO.

The U.S. industries also want Portman to designate Russia a
“priority foreign country,” a label reserved for countries with
the worst record on fighting piracy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin complained on Wednesday
the United States was blocking Russia’s 13-year-bid to join the
WTO by throwing up new demands in talks — a charge Portman
denied in a prepared statement.

Portman also said on Wednesday he hoped Russia and the
United States could finish negotiations soon.