WASHINGTON, May 18 (Reuters) - The United States has been working "very hard" with Panama's government to resolve outstanding issues so that a bilateral trade deal can be sent to Congress for a vote, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said on Monday.
"We have had very productive discussions on both labor and international tax issues and our efforts are continuing," Kirk said in prepared remarks to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He also said the Obama administration was committed to completing the Doha round of global trade talks launched in 2001.
"President Obama and I are committed to a successful conclusion of the Doha round, to revive confidence in global trade and lay the groundwork for the robust trading system of tomorrow," Kirk said. But, he added, success at Doha "means a balanced and ambitious agreement with meaningful market access gains for all involved."