asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce his reaction to the passage of the United States Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act, 1988; and the implications for Ireland both direct and indirect of this legislation.
Written Answers. - U.S. Trade Act Implications.
151.
The Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act was signed by the President of the United States of America on 23 August 1988. Due to printing difficulties in the US, copies of the signed text were not immediately available but I expect to receive one very shortly.
Until the complete text of the Act is available it would not be realistic to attempt an analysis of its implications for Ireland other than to say that protectionist activity by the USA is against the spirit of free multilateral trade on which we are critically dependent.
Ireland has joined with other EC member states in reacting on the basis of earlier drafts of the legislation, as a consequence of which the Council of Ministers has warned the US of the dangers for EC-USA trade exchanges of utilising its protectionist potential.