Kirk says free trade agreements could be passed by August
May 12, 2011 | 06:10 PM | Filed in: Trade US Trade Representative
In a wide-ranging discussion of trade policy before the House Agriculture Committee today, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said that:
“If we act quickly and bring these agreements to a vote before July 1, we can ensure that U.S. producers don’t lose out on any competitive advantages,” Lucas said in his opening statement.
Although the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing on pending trade issues, the committee does not have jurisdiction over trade policy.
Lucas added some thoughts on the free trade agreements in a statement released after the hearing:
"Right now America's farmers and ranchers are competing in the global market in the face of stiff protectionism while their foreign competitors are gaining preferential treatment and access at their expense. We must act quickly and bring these agreements to a vote before July 1. These FTAs will expand U.S. exports, create jobs, and bring much-needed income to communities across rural America. It is time for action."
Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., suggested trade agreements that would benefit farmers were being held up because the administration wants labor unions to approve them. “If farmers are being held hostage by the unions, that’s unacceptable,” he said.
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., told Kirk that the agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama should be voted on by July 1.
“If we act quickly and bring these agreements to a vote before July 1, we can ensure that U.S. producers don’t lose out on any competitive advantages,” Lucas said in his opening statement.
Although the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing on pending trade issues, the committee does not have jurisdiction over trade policy.
Lucas added some thoughts on the free trade agreements in a statement released after the hearing:
"Right now America's farmers and ranchers are competing in the global market in the face of stiff protectionism while their foreign competitors are gaining preferential treatment and access at their expense. We must act quickly and bring these agreements to a vote before July 1. These FTAs will expand U.S. exports, create jobs, and bring much-needed income to communities across rural America. It is time for action."
Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., suggested trade agreements that would benefit farmers were being held up because the administration wants labor unions to approve them. “If farmers are being held hostage by the unions, that’s unacceptable,” he said.
- The pending trade agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama could be passed by August “if not sooner” if Congress agrees also to reauthorize trade adjustment assistance for workers whose jobs have been displaced by free trade.
- Russia’s entry into the World Trade Organization could help force Russia to comply with trade rules.
- Prospects for the Doha round of negotiations do not look good.
“If we act quickly and bring these agreements to a vote before July 1, we can ensure that U.S. producers don’t lose out on any competitive advantages,” Lucas said in his opening statement.
Although the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing on pending trade issues, the committee does not have jurisdiction over trade policy.
Lucas added some thoughts on the free trade agreements in a statement released after the hearing:
"Right now America's farmers and ranchers are competing in the global market in the face of stiff protectionism while their foreign competitors are gaining preferential treatment and access at their expense. We must act quickly and bring these agreements to a vote before July 1. These FTAs will expand U.S. exports, create jobs, and bring much-needed income to communities across rural America. It is time for action."
Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., suggested trade agreements that would benefit farmers were being held up because the administration wants labor unions to approve them. “If farmers are being held hostage by the unions, that’s unacceptable,” he said.
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., told Kirk that the agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama should be voted on by July 1.
“If we act quickly and bring these agreements to a vote before July 1, we can ensure that U.S. producers don’t lose out on any competitive advantages,” Lucas said in his opening statement.
Although the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing on pending trade issues, the committee does not have jurisdiction over trade policy.
Lucas added some thoughts on the free trade agreements in a statement released after the hearing:
"Right now America's farmers and ranchers are competing in the global market in the face of stiff protectionism while their foreign competitors are gaining preferential treatment and access at their expense. We must act quickly and bring these agreements to a vote before July 1. These FTAs will expand U.S. exports, create jobs, and bring much-needed income to communities across rural America. It is time for action."
Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., suggested trade agreements that would benefit farmers were being held up because the administration wants labor unions to approve them. “If farmers are being held hostage by the unions, that’s unacceptable,” he said.
