ID :
56527
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 07:53
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/56527
The shortlink copeid
Senior senators urge Obama to expedite work on Korea FTA ratification
WASHINGTON, April 20 (Yonhap) -- Two senior U.S. senators Monday urged the Barack Obama administration to begin work without delay on ratification of a free trade deal with South Korea to consolidate the alliance amid North Korea's nuclear and long-range missile threats.
"The issues are complex, and they may not be easy to resolve," said Senators Max
Baucus (D-Montana) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) in a joint letter to Obama. "Yet
their very complexity, as well as their potential rewards, demands we begin our
work without delay and persist as long as necessary."
Recalling the North's recent rocket launch and threat to nullify the six-party
nuclear talks, the senators emphasized the need for the U.S. to "maintain and
expand its strong and proven partnership with the Republic of Korea," which they
called "a critical partner of the United States throughout decades of evolving
political and economic circumstances."
The letter coincides with reports that South Korean and U.S. officials will meet
here next month to discuss the congressional approval of the Korea FTA ahead of
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's U.S. visit in June.
In their first summit in London early this month on the margins of the G20
economic summit, Lee and Obama "agreed that the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement
could bring benefits to both countries and committed to working together to chart
a way forward."
Seoul and Washington signed the trade deal in June 2007, but it has yet to be
ratified by the legislature of either nation.
Obama has taken issue with what he has called lopsided auto trade, although South
Korea disputes U.S. figures, which include hundreds of thousands of autos
produced by Hyundai Motor's plant in Alabama.
The senators singled out auto trade and South Korea's ban on shipments of beef
from older cattle.
"Clearly, there is further work to be done if Congress is to support the
agreement," they said. "In particular, Korea has yet to ensure U.S. beef
exporters full access to its market in accordance with international standards.
Korea's long history of non-tariff barriers to its autos sector also raises
serious concerns with some regarding the agreement."
Baucus and Grassley, however, warned against any delay.
"Postponing addressing such issues will not make them easier to resolve," they
said in the letter.
The senators called for the Obama administration to bring forward the pending
FTAs with Colombia and Panama for deliberations "in the coming months," and
added, "At the same time, we also urge you to begin the hard work of winning
broad approval of the U.S.-Korea FTA without delay."
"We offer you our full support in these efforts, and we look forward to
considering and approving an agreement that strengthens our important alliance,
helps our economies grow stronger, and leaves our workers, farmers more
prosperous," they said.
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk recently said that he "will promptly, but
effectively, address the issues surrounding the KORUS FTA, including concerns
that have been expressed regarding automotive trade." He said he will give
priority to beef before moving to the auto issue.
Obama has ordered the automaker GM to come forward with a new restructuring plan
by June 1 and told Chrysler to merge with Fiat by May 1 if it wants to get
additional government funds.
Some experts say that the restructuring of the U.S. auto industry will eventually
help promote congressional approval of the trade deal.
South Korea's National Assembly has been holding off on deliberating the FTA,
citing growing protectionism in the Democrat-controlled Congress, which fears the
deal would undermine support from local trade unions, a key political base, due
to possible job cuts during the worst recession in decades.
South Korean officials have said they will not renegotiate the FTA, while some
experts have suggested addressing shortfalls by way of side agreements or other
methods without revising the agreement itself.
hdh@yna.co.kr
(END)
"The issues are complex, and they may not be easy to resolve," said Senators Max
Baucus (D-Montana) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) in a joint letter to Obama. "Yet
their very complexity, as well as their potential rewards, demands we begin our
work without delay and persist as long as necessary."
Recalling the North's recent rocket launch and threat to nullify the six-party
nuclear talks, the senators emphasized the need for the U.S. to "maintain and
expand its strong and proven partnership with the Republic of Korea," which they
called "a critical partner of the United States throughout decades of evolving
political and economic circumstances."
The letter coincides with reports that South Korean and U.S. officials will meet
here next month to discuss the congressional approval of the Korea FTA ahead of
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's U.S. visit in June.
In their first summit in London early this month on the margins of the G20
economic summit, Lee and Obama "agreed that the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement
could bring benefits to both countries and committed to working together to chart
a way forward."
Seoul and Washington signed the trade deal in June 2007, but it has yet to be
ratified by the legislature of either nation.
Obama has taken issue with what he has called lopsided auto trade, although South
Korea disputes U.S. figures, which include hundreds of thousands of autos
produced by Hyundai Motor's plant in Alabama.
The senators singled out auto trade and South Korea's ban on shipments of beef
from older cattle.
"Clearly, there is further work to be done if Congress is to support the
agreement," they said. "In particular, Korea has yet to ensure U.S. beef
exporters full access to its market in accordance with international standards.
Korea's long history of non-tariff barriers to its autos sector also raises
serious concerns with some regarding the agreement."
Baucus and Grassley, however, warned against any delay.
"Postponing addressing such issues will not make them easier to resolve," they
said in the letter.
The senators called for the Obama administration to bring forward the pending
FTAs with Colombia and Panama for deliberations "in the coming months," and
added, "At the same time, we also urge you to begin the hard work of winning
broad approval of the U.S.-Korea FTA without delay."
"We offer you our full support in these efforts, and we look forward to
considering and approving an agreement that strengthens our important alliance,
helps our economies grow stronger, and leaves our workers, farmers more
prosperous," they said.
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk recently said that he "will promptly, but
effectively, address the issues surrounding the KORUS FTA, including concerns
that have been expressed regarding automotive trade." He said he will give
priority to beef before moving to the auto issue.
Obama has ordered the automaker GM to come forward with a new restructuring plan
by June 1 and told Chrysler to merge with Fiat by May 1 if it wants to get
additional government funds.
Some experts say that the restructuring of the U.S. auto industry will eventually
help promote congressional approval of the trade deal.
South Korea's National Assembly has been holding off on deliberating the FTA,
citing growing protectionism in the Democrat-controlled Congress, which fears the
deal would undermine support from local trade unions, a key political base, due
to possible job cuts during the worst recession in decades.
South Korean officials have said they will not renegotiate the FTA, while some
experts have suggested addressing shortfalls by way of side agreements or other
methods without revising the agreement itself.
hdh@yna.co.kr
(END)
