OldDog/NewTricks
Well-known member
Beef deal won't affect Korea FTA talks
by Pete Hisey on 9/12/2006 for Meatingplace.com
Talks aimed at reaching a free-trade agreement with South Korea did not progress much last week in Seattle, and a government official in Seoul denied in a radio interview that the agreement finalized last week to resume import of U.S. beef was related to the ongoing and contentious talks.
Both sides are trying to reach an agreement by year-end, hoping to get it ratified early next year before President Bush's fast-track authority expires in July. Thereafter, Congress would have the authority to amend or change any negotiated agreement, making final ratification far more difficult.
Wendy Cutler, the chief U.S. negotiator, reported after the sessions in Seattle that little progress had been made, even though the United States made several concessions on textiles and industrial goods. South Korea did not return the gesture, and Cutler singled out South Korea's stance on agricultural products as the main stumbling block. "Korea's agriculture offer in our view is disappointing," Cutler said.
South Korea wants to remove about 200 agricultural products, including rice, from any trade agreement; the United States is adamant that they must be included.
by Pete Hisey on 9/12/2006 for Meatingplace.com
Talks aimed at reaching a free-trade agreement with South Korea did not progress much last week in Seattle, and a government official in Seoul denied in a radio interview that the agreement finalized last week to resume import of U.S. beef was related to the ongoing and contentious talks.
Both sides are trying to reach an agreement by year-end, hoping to get it ratified early next year before President Bush's fast-track authority expires in July. Thereafter, Congress would have the authority to amend or change any negotiated agreement, making final ratification far more difficult.
Wendy Cutler, the chief U.S. negotiator, reported after the sessions in Seattle that little progress had been made, even though the United States made several concessions on textiles and industrial goods. South Korea did not return the gesture, and Cutler singled out South Korea's stance on agricultural products as the main stumbling block. "Korea's agriculture offer in our view is disappointing," Cutler said.
South Korea wants to remove about 200 agricultural products, including rice, from any trade agreement; the United States is adamant that they must be included.
