WASHINGTON, D.C. - Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sander M. Levin (D-MI) issued the following statement in response to the Obama Administration's announcement today on the U.S. - South Korea Free Trade Agreement:
"The long standing problem with the U.S.-South Korea FTA as negotiated by the Bush Administration is that it does not effectively address the regulatory and tax barriers that have led to one way trade and hurt our industrial sector as well as kept out our beef. Until recently, South Korea was unwilling to discuss changes to address these vital issues in the industrial sector so they may be incorporated in the FTA along with the existing provisions for U.S. trade in agriculture and services.
"Congress expects to be consulted actively in these negotiations, and the date targeted by the President can be met only if the outstanding issues are fully addressed with enforceable commitments."
