Uncertainty Surrounds Pending Trade Deals
Coalition of agriculture groups pushing for action.
Compiled by staff
Published: Mar 2, 2010
The newly released Obama Administration 2010 trade agenda gives little indication that the White House will quickly advance long-stalled pacts with Panama, Colombia or South Korea. After a year-long review of Bush-era trade agreements, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk released the report that stresses a new export focus, and says the administration is engaged in unprecedented consultations with Congress over the shape of impending negotiations on a Trans-Pacific Partnership, an Asia-Pacific free trade group.
The Panama, Colombia and South Korea deals are being viewed with a wary eye. None has seen action in the Senate. Labor Unions and their congressional allies; and, in the case of the South Korea deal, the U.S. auto and beef industries, continue to voice strong objections to the agreements. Representative Kirk will discuss the report at a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Wednesday.
Despite the Administration's lack of interest in the Colombia, Panama and South Korea trade deals, an ad hoc coalition of food, feed and agricultural entities is urging Congress to promptly pass these deals. Under each pact, many U.S. food and agricultural products would become eligible for duty-free treatment once the agreement is implemented and nearly all would receive duty-free treatment over specified phase-in periods.
In a letter signed by 57 companies and organizations, the coalition, led by the National Pork Producers Council, has asked lawmakers to aggressively expand market access opportunities as competitors are doing. The coalition says that other countries are moving forward on a host of trade deals. As an example, South Korea is negotiating or is planning to enter talks on trade agreements with 11 countries, the European Union and blocs representing Southeast Asian and South American nations.
The coalition also points out that exports generate 8,000 U.S. jobs for every $1 billion worth of agricultural goods exported. In addition, they would add to the bottom line of producers. For example, U.S. pork producers would see hog prices rise by $11 a head under the South Korea agreement.
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