NCBA Statement on Resignation of USTR Chief Agricultural Negotiator
US - “U.S. cattle producers want to applaud the tremendous achievements of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Chief Agricultural Negotiator Richard T. Crowder, during his tenure as the top negotiator directing U.S. agricultural trade negotiations across the world.
15 May 2007
2 minute read
“We commend Ambassador Crowder’s relentless commitment to breaking down trade barriers for U.S. cattle producers, and he will most certainly be missed.
“In particular, his efforts to expand access for U.S. beef in the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), and the developments he made for U.S. agriculture in negotiating Russia’s WTO Accession, will both go down in history as monumental milestones for our industry.
“We are pleased to hear the announcement that Dr. Joseph W. Glauber, a distinguished economist and expert in international agricultural trade, will step into Ambassador Crowder's role as lead agriculture negotiator for the World Trade Organization (WTO)'s Doha Development Round. Dr. Glauber will take the position of Special Doha Agricultural Envoy at the office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
“I have known Dr. Glauber for many years. He is an expert on U.S. farm programs and agricultural markets, and in particular, how they relate to the WTO. I cannot think of anyone better to take over the agricultural reigns at USTR at this critical juncture in these WTO negotiations.
“With the recent news in Congress announcing a bipartisan consensus on trade policy and pending free trade agreements, we urge bipartisan work on renewal of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) before its expiration. TPA is extremely important for U.S. cattlemen, assuring Congress cannot make last-minute, special-interest concessions or amendments after trade agreements are finalized.
“From NCBA’s perspective, however, the strongest selling point for an extension of TPA is the fact that Australia has recently entered into FTA negotiations with Japan. Without TPA, U.S. cattlemen will be left standing on the sidelines while other countries take over our top markets.
“Between 1994 and 2002, when the President did not have TPA, America’s foreign competitors took advantage of opportunities to expand their presence in the international marketplace. The rest of the world was moving forward, signing trade deals that excluded the United States. This authority is important for U.S. negotiators such as Dr. Glauber, and NCBA members will continue to urge for its renewal before the looming deadline of June 30.”
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