WTO: United States Maintained Some Tariff "Peaks" 　　The United States is enjoying its second longest period of sustained economic expansion with real GDP growth averaging over 2.8 percent during the years 1992-96 and accelerating to 3.9 percent in 1997 and 1998 largely due to continued liberalization of trade and investment, said the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva on July 14. 　　However, the new WTO secretariat report on the United States' trade policies and practices between 1996 and 1998 pointed out that, in spite of low overall level tariff protection, the United States maintained some tariff "peaks" (three times the overall average) on certain agricultural and food products as well as textiles, clothing and footwear. About one in seven duties are specific (as opposed to ad valorem). 　　Published after a three-day trade review meeting, the WTO report said that the United States' economic growth was due in part to the impetus provided by trade and investment liberalization resulting from the Uruguay Round Agreements and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). 　　The report also said that imports have helped to satisfy domestic demand resulting in lower prices and wider consumer choice, noting that the openness of the economy has contributed to improving the competitiveness of U.S. producers, creating more and better paid jobs. 　　Although the current account deficit was at a record level of 233 billion U.S. dollars in 1998, the report said, the shortfall in national savings relative to domestic investment was made up by foreign investors. 　　According to the WTO report, the United States is extremely active in WTO activities: it participated in all post-Uruguay Round negotiations, including telecommunications and financial services and played a vital role; the United States is also the biggest user of the WTO Dispute Settlement system with 48 disputes filed in the period 1996-98. 　　In conclusion, the WTO report said that the U.S. case suggested that trade and investment liberalization support strong economic performance but warned that any major upsurge in protectionist measures could impair such performance of the world's biggest importer and exporter. (Xinhua) WorldNews 1999-07-16 Page7 Full Story in Chinese