The USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, recently concluded the investigation for the U.S. Trade Representative. The report examines GATS commitments scheduled by Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Turkey. Highlights of the report follow.

• In 1996, cross-border service exports by U.S. firms measured $221 billion and cross-border service imports measured $143 billion. Services trade with the trading partners of Eastern Europe, the European Free Trade Area, and Turkey accounted for 5 percent of total U.S. services trade.

• The schedules of commitments submitted by the selected trading partners vary significantly from one partner to another. Countries such as Norway and Switzerland made binding commitments to accord market access and national treatment across a wide range of service industries, while other trading partners scheduled commitments covering fewer industries.

• Treatment of industries also varied considerably across trading partners. Enhanced telecommunication, legal, architectural and engineering services, and travel and tourism services received broad coverage, indicating that trade in these industries is not heavily restricted. However, the trading partners of Eastern Europe, the European Free Trade Area and Turkey appear more reticent to commit to open markets for audiovisual and land transportation services as well as social services such as health care.

• The report examines the following industries: distribution services, defined as wholesaling, retailing, and franchising services; education services; communication services, defined as enhanced telecommunication services, courier services, and audiovisual services; health care services; professional services, defined as accounting, advertising, and legal services; architectural, engineering, and construction services; land-based transportation services, defined as rail and trucking services; and travel and tourism services.

The foregoing information is from the USITC report General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS): Examination of the Schedules of Commitments Submitted by Trading Partners of Eastern Europe, the European Free Trade Area, and Turkey (Investigation No. 332-385, USITC Publication 3127, September 1998). The report will be available on the ITC's Internet site at www.usitc.gov. A printed copy of the report may be requested by calling 202-205-1809 or by writing the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW, Washington, DC. Requests may also be made by fax to 202-205-2104.