ID :
31700
Sat, 11/22/2008 - 22:25
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/31700
The shortlink copeid
(EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on Nov. 22) - FTA flexibility
U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's team seems to be displaying growing signs that the new administration may take a more flexible stance on the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement.
The Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank run by a top Obama
transition adviser and former Clinton White House aides, recently said in its
policy proposal that the new administration should wrap up the free trade
agreements the Bush administration has signed, including those with Korea and
Colombia.
The 657-page???Progressive Blueprint for the 44th President," said the countries
in question have enormous expectations for the trade pacts, and a delay in
ratifying the deals will send a serious blow to America's credibility and
reliability in Asia and Latin America.
It means even the U.S. Democrats, generally better known for their protectionist
sentiment than Republicans, are now stepping up efforts to address the importance
of the Korus FTA.
This also indicates Obama's current negative views on Korus FTA, expressed in his
remarks on the campaign trail, still have room for change.
Indeed, Obama's camp said the president-elect is not rejecting the entire Korus
FTA pact and intends to ratify the deal, but only after revising some disputed
clauses on the auto sector, leaving more wiggle room for future change. Obama may
have made negative remarks on the Korus FTA to woo one of his major backers - the
auto labor unions - but he may take a more flexible stance once he takes office.
Then it is certainly unwise for us to delay the National Assembly???s
ratification on the deal, assuming the U.S. Congress under the Obama
administration will oppose the Korus FTA no matter what.
Rather, it would be wise for us to lead the efforts to win the Korus FTA by
ratifying the pact here first. For the disputed clauses of the pact on the auto
sector, there is no need to assume that the U.S. will soon demand a
renegotiation.
Korea's chief negotiator for the free trade agreement, Lee Hye-min, said it won't
be that easy for Washington to ask Korea to reopen the deal, since doing so will
seriously tarnish the country's international credibility and violate the
international protocols.
All in all, the National Assembly should now make more effort to pass the Korus
FTA by the end of this year, which will inevitably cement Seoul's leverage with
the U.S.
(END)
The Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank run by a top Obama
transition adviser and former Clinton White House aides, recently said in its
policy proposal that the new administration should wrap up the free trade
agreements the Bush administration has signed, including those with Korea and
Colombia.
The 657-page???Progressive Blueprint for the 44th President," said the countries
in question have enormous expectations for the trade pacts, and a delay in
ratifying the deals will send a serious blow to America's credibility and
reliability in Asia and Latin America.
It means even the U.S. Democrats, generally better known for their protectionist
sentiment than Republicans, are now stepping up efforts to address the importance
of the Korus FTA.
This also indicates Obama's current negative views on Korus FTA, expressed in his
remarks on the campaign trail, still have room for change.
Indeed, Obama's camp said the president-elect is not rejecting the entire Korus
FTA pact and intends to ratify the deal, but only after revising some disputed
clauses on the auto sector, leaving more wiggle room for future change. Obama may
have made negative remarks on the Korus FTA to woo one of his major backers - the
auto labor unions - but he may take a more flexible stance once he takes office.
Then it is certainly unwise for us to delay the National Assembly???s
ratification on the deal, assuming the U.S. Congress under the Obama
administration will oppose the Korus FTA no matter what.
Rather, it would be wise for us to lead the efforts to win the Korus FTA by
ratifying the pact here first. For the disputed clauses of the pact on the auto
sector, there is no need to assume that the U.S. will soon demand a
renegotiation.
Korea's chief negotiator for the free trade agreement, Lee Hye-min, said it won't
be that easy for Washington to ask Korea to reopen the deal, since doing so will
seriously tarnish the country's international credibility and violate the
international protocols.
All in all, the National Assembly should now make more effort to pass the Korus
FTA by the end of this year, which will inevitably cement Seoul's leverage with
the U.S.
(END)
