Grassley Notes International Trade Tied to Jobs and Economy
Iowa Senator says it is time to move on FTAs.
Compiled by staff
Published: Mar 16, 2011
The economy and jobs are two issues that are on the minds of many Americans. Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, says Congress has the opportunity to address both issues.
Grassley notes that international trade creates job opportunities and is important to U.S. agriculture. He says Congress needs to approve the outstanding free trade agreements with Colombia, Korea and Panama.
"Just in agriculture the Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement when it gets fully implemented would provide $910 million gain for U.S. agricultural exports and the potential for Korea is even greater for agriculture at $1.6 billion," Grassley said. "These agreements are going to help create jobs, good paying jobs that pay 15% above the national average. It's going to have a general boost to the entire country and I want to help push the Administration forward on these agreements."
Grassley says the outlook looks pretty good for passage, at least in the Senate, for the deal with Korea. He says he doesn't know about the House of Representatives and he thinks it was more amenable in the last Congress.
"I think it is still questionable about Colombia and Panama," Grassley said. "Unless Republican leadership in the House of Representatives is able to convince the President to put all three agreements in one message to the House and have us take all three up at the same time. Then I think we can get Panama and Colombia."
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