Johanns Expresses Support for U.S.-Korea Trade Deal
USDA Secretary touts the benefits of the free trade agreement for agriculture, but makes no mention of rice.
Compiled by staff
Published: Apr 6, 2007
In a statement issued Thursday, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns details the benefits of the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement for agriculture, saying that almost $2 billion worth of U.S. agricultural exports to Korea will immediately become duty-free if the agreement is ratified.
That remains a big 'if' unless Seoul sets new safety guidelines that allow shipments of U.S. beef. "While the agreement includes many beneficial provisions for U.S. agricultural products, I am confident in saying that it will not be ratified unless Korea opens its market to U.S. beef in accordance with science-based international guidelines," Johanns says.
Although Johanns did not mention the exclusion of rice from the deal, he spoke on behalf of the agreement's overall benefit to U.S. agriculture. Even with Seoul's rejection of U.S. beef imports and despite an average agricultural tariff rate of 52%, Korea remains the sixth largest export market for U.S. agriculture at $3.2 billion. Almost two-thirds of those exports will become duty-free immediately if the agreement is signed, including wheat, corn, soybeans for crushing, as well as hides and skins, cotton, wine, cherries, pistachios, and almonds, Johanns says.
More details from the statement:
Five-year tariff phase-outs provide more access for grapefruit, a broad range of processed food products, chocolate and chocolate confectionary, sweet corn, sauces and preparations, alfalfa, breads and pastry, orange juice, and dried mushrooms.
Immediate duty-free access within tariff-rate quotas is provided for skim and whole milk powder, whey for food use, cheese, dextrins and modified starches, barley, popcorn, and soybeans for food use.
Market access for beef and pork will be improved through duty phase-outs, which will ultimately lead to unlimited duty-free access by 2014 for most significant pork products and in 15 years for beef.
Market access was also expanded for apples, pears, grapes and oranges.
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Tagged: soybeans, wheat, cotton, free trade agreement, barley
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