WA Jobs, Economy Depend on Fair Trade Deals Weekly Column by Congressman Doc Hastings

Press Release

WA Jobs, Economy Depend on Fair Trade Deals Weekly Column by Congressman Doc Hastings

May 9, 2008

Opportunities for Washington state farmers and businesses are being lost as those who control Congress continue to block action on the U.S-Colombia trade agreement. Congressional leaders have rewritten the rules to indefinitely block an up-or-down vote on the vital trade deal - and the ramifications of their actions have far-reaching consequences for our state.

Inaction by Congress on the Colombia agreement is slowing down trade progress and putting other fair trade deals - like the U.S.-Korea Trade Agreement - in jeopardy. South Korea is our state's fourth largest trading partner. Our state's economy and the jobs of hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians are dependent on trade, and agreements with Colombia and Korea are vital to our future.

Since 1991, many products from Colombia have enjoyed open and duty-free access into American markets. However, U.S. exports to Colombia face steep tariffs. In fact, many farm exports to Colombia face an average 30 percent tariff. Colombia is the second largest market for U.S. farm products in Latin America and the current one-way trade policy is unacceptable.

With 1 in 3 Washington jobs tied to international trade, our state's economy depends on fixing these types of unfair trade practices and providing American businesses and farmers with equal access to foreign markets.

Immediately upon enactment of the Colombia agreement, tariffs will disappear on many Washington state products including apples, cherries, pears, beef, potato, raspberries, wheat and dairy. This is real trade fairness for Washington businesses, workers and farmers.

In addition, the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement will allow a majority of our agricultural products to enter Korea duty free. This is great news for Washington wheat, potatoes, and cherry growers as well as beef producers. The agreement with Korea has the strong support of many Washington businesses, including the Washington State Farm Bureau, the Washington State Council on International Trade, and the Association of Washington Business.

Implementing these agreements with Colombia and Korea that eliminate unfair barriers to home state products is one of the best ways to keep jobs and businesses in our local communities.

As representatives of the most trade dependent state in the nation it's up to leaders from across Washington to stand up for the citizens, farmers and businesses that depend on trade to make a living, endorse these trade agreements and help support and pass them into law.

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