WASHINGTON, D.C. ~ U.S. agricultural exports reach ed $6O billion in 1996 up SO percent since 1990. This in crease was made possible by aggressive expansion efforts in overseas markets “But we cannot stand still,” said Alex Jackson, USFGC director of trade relations. “While other countries are ne gotiating new trade agreements to reduce tariffs, abolish sub sidies and offer trade benefits into the next millennium, the United States is lagging be hind. That is where fast track comes in.” Agriculture still suffers from the highest level of trade dis tortions in the world economy. If the United States doesn’t continue to participate in form ing new trade pacts and writing future trade rules, then produc ers, processors and exporters are going to be at a competitive disadvantage in the upcoming millennium. Fast track is needed so the United States can address high tariffs, unfair trade practices and subsidies, and pursue opportunities for market-opening trade agree- r Farmer Boy Ag Systems 1 lnc. Hog and Poultry Contracts Available Contact Us Today! Full Line of Parts In Stock For Your Hours: Mon. thru Fri. 7-5 A Farmer Boy Ag Systems Inc. 24 Hour 410 East Lincoln Avenue, Myerstown, PA 17067 warehouse Prices Service 717-866-7565 • 1-800-845-3374 jflifr TST [ jjfl 3/7/98 cr Swine & Poultry Systems Specialists we ship ups V Why Fast Track? merits in Latin America, Asia and elsewhere. If fast track authority was approved, it would give the United States the credibility it needs to negotiate tough trade deals. “Our partners would then know that any agreement made wouldn’t be altered by Congress after the fact,” said Jackson. “Congress would vote on the final agreement, but not be able to modify it, and that is the key.” Most countries will not ne gotiate with the United States unless the President has fast track authority. Every Presi dent since Nixon has had fast track authority, but since it ex pired three years ago, the United States has missed out on more than 20 separate nego tiated trade agreements, deny ing important economic oppor tunities to businesses and workers alike. “What we have to remember here is the key issue is trade and we are playing catch-up to agreements we didn’t write,” said Bill Archer, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means. Countries all over the wbrld are negotiating agreements to create regional trading blocs that will grant preferential trading rights to that Woe’s members. The Andean Community countries (formerly the Andean Pact) are negotiating with MERCOSUR to create a com mercial integration agreement with zero tariffs on some prod ucts and reduced tariffs on others. “ They are calling this agree ment the South American Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA),” said Jackson. “To gain access to these countries, the United States must enter into negotia tions with these trading blocs, but we will be left short with out the power of fast track.” In April 1998, negotiations for the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) will begin at the second Summit of the Americas in Santiago, Chile. Meanwhile, WTO members agreed to begin negotiations on the next phase of agricultural trade liberalization at the end of 1999. These negotiations are the best chance U.S. agricul ture has to reduce tariffs, open G Corn Talk, Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 7, 1998—Page 23 f MM. new markets and delete unfair practices. “This is the time to act,” Jackson said, “Support begins at the grass-roots level. We arc asking people to let their Bulk Feed Bins with Flex-Flo™ Feed Systems A-P's bulk feed tanks and Flex-Flo'“ Systems perfectly illustrate attention to detail that quality demands and provides the Dairy, Hog Poultry farmers with the finest storage and feeding equipment available, We Assemble, Deliver and Set-up bins on your farm. PENNSYLVANIA MASTER CORN GROWERS ASSOC., INC. A Division of (jisj) elected officials know about the importance of fast track and why it needs to be approved now. Without it, U.S. agricul ture will be at a serious disad vantage.” the and
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