US: REVIEW ONLY WHEN TRADE REP IS NAMED

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- The United States will wait until
President Barrack Obama has appointed a trade representative before reviewing
its global trade policies concerning bilateral trade agreements.

US Ambassador to Asean, Scot Marciel, said although Obama has made it his
priority to resolve the global economic crisis, the specifics of his strategy
would have to wait until he has appointed key personnel.

"I've talked quite a bit about the global and regional economic situation
with foreign ministers throughout the region and in Malaysia and also about
trade and where we are on the foreign trade agreements," he told a media
briefing here Monday.

He said the US was interested in doing an overall review of its trade policy
globally but not until a trade representative was appointed first.

"So it's going to take us a little more time to come forward with concrete
proposals on the way ahead," he said.
-- BERNAMA