USTR Says Trading Partners Must Play by Rules Too
Kirk addresses USMEF conference.
Compiled by staff
Published: May 26, 2009
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk told members of the U.S. Meat Export Federation on Friday that he is committed to making U.S. exports a cornerstone of the nation's economic recovery. However trading partners must honor their commitments and grant fair and consistent market access to U.S. products if that is going to work.
"Our goal at USTR is pretty simple, and that's to continue to give you greater access to more international markets for America's high-quality beef and pork," Kirk said. "We believe that one of the best ways that we can do that is by stronger enforcement of existing rules."
Suspensions recently imposed on U.S. pork and, in some cases beef, due to H1N1 drew sharp criticism from the Kirk.
"More than a dozen countries imposed trade restrictions on U.S. agricultural products without scientific justification as a result of that outbreak," Kirk said. "For us, this is a big deal. As much as $900 million in annual U.S. exports could potentially be in jeopardy."
Russia and China are the most significant markets limiting U.S. pork imports and Kirk says USTR will continue to pressure then to resolve these issues, saying it's not safe to assume these trade problems will only be temporary.
"When the BSE scare hit us in 2003, everybody said, 'Oh, don't worry. In six months it will all be over and we'll be back to normal.'," Kirk said. "Well as you all know, six years later here we still are with a lot of our beef frozen out of important markets."
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