Senator Roberts Meets with South Korean Ambassador; Pushes for Further Access to Growing South Korean Market
Press Release
Senator Roberts Meets with South Korean Ambassador; Pushes for Further Access to Growing South Korean Market
U.S. Senator Pat Roberts late yesterday met with the South Korean Ambassador, Han Duk-soo, to discuss the currently stalled United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) and to express their mutual support for moving forward with the trade agreement.
"The Korean market is a great opportunity for expanding trade for our farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers" Roberts said. "I appreciated the chance to discuss the pending agreement with the Ambassador and look forward to working on a path forward that will work for both of our nations."
KORUS is the most economically significant trade agreement to be negotiated behind NAFTA. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. agricultural exports would become duty free on day one. Korea is a growing market for Kansas agriculture, machinery, transportation equipment and chemicals, and a key Asian country.
"Unfortunately, those skeptical of the benefits of trade liberalization are blocking progress on current pending trade agreements negotiated with Panama and Colombia, in addition to Korea," Roberts said. "It is my hope that folks will stop seeing trade as a problem rather than part of the solution to our current economic difficulties. With 95 percent of the world's consumers outside our borders, we cannot afford to remain on the sidelines while our trade partners negotiate agreements without us."
"Last year, Korea agreed to an import protocol consistent with international standards to resume beef trade with the United States. In accordance with the commercial agreement, Korea is now importing safe and delicious U.S. beef back into their markets," Roberts said. "Hopefully this show of good faith will not be ignored."
Senator Roberts is a member of the Senate Finance Committee and a senior member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. From his position on both Committees, Roberts offers unique leadership for Kansas. The Finance Committee has jurisdiction over all trade agreements.
Roberts continues to work towards full U.S. beef trade in international markets, especially in China, Taiwan and Japan.
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