U.S. Trade Negotiator Links Beef To FTA

SOUTH KOREA - Though U.S. asserts open market and trade pact go hand in hand, S. Korea insists on keeping things separate

17 October 2007

1 minute read

Asia

U.S. Trade Negotiator Links Beef To FTA US - Though U.S. asserts open market and trade pact go hand in hand, S. Korea insists on keeping things separate

Wendy Cutler, lead trade negotiator for the United States, has called on South Korea to open its beef market, effectively linking the controversial beef issue with the ratification of a free trade deal reached between Seoul and Washington at the end of June. The Korean government, however, has continued to insist that the beef issue is one that is separate, and should not be included in FTA talks.

On October 14, Cutler made a unexpected visit to Seoul, where she attended a meeting arranged by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea.

During the meeting, she emphasized the need for opening the market to U.S. beef “if the trade deal with South Korea is to be considered,” hinting that ratification of the Seoul-Washington pact and the beef issue are not separate issues, as Soul insists.

Cutler said that key congressmen in Washington are proclaiming that they will not sign the Seoul-Washington FTA unless the beef problem is resolved. She added that it would be easier to put the FTA deal through Congress if the disputes were settled.

Source: TheHankYoreh