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Nelson backs away from South Korean sanctions threat

HAY MAKER

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Nelson backs away from South Korean sanctions threat
Wednesday, January 17, 2007, 2:57 PM

by Peter Shinn

Audio related to this story

AUDIO: Senator Nelson on U.S.-South Korean beef trade issue (4 min MP3)

Earlier this month, Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson (D) promised to introduce a wide-ranging sanctions bill against South Korea if that country didn’t end its de facto ban on U.S. beef. But on Wednesday, Nelson backed away from that position a bit, instead vowing to introduce a "Sense of the Senate" resolution urging, but not requiring, that the Bush administration stop trade in all ag products between the U.S. and South Korea.

As a non-binding recommendation, Nelson said the resolution, even if it passed, wouldn't actually disrupt trade in any products between the U.S. and South Korea. "No, no, no," Nelson told Brownfield. "It's not an embargo, but we're recommending that we not import other commodities from them until they act fairly with respect to the beef industry."

And Nelson insisted a symbolic gesture against South Korea could have the same positive effect a similar approach had with Japan. "It would be non-binding, but it sends a message, and I think as in the case of Japan, that sent the message," said Nelson. "It was embarrassing to their country, and it should be embarrassing, quite honestly."

Nelson said he had also spoken again this week with South Korea's ambassador to the U.S. and urged him to resolve the beef trade issue. According to Nelson, he also again assured U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab this week that a pending U.S.–South Korean free trade deal stands no chance in Congress until the beef issue is resolved.
 
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