US Congress questions Korean trade deal
Friday, 15 June 2007
WASHINGTON, June 14 (AFP): The United States and South Korea are about two weeks away from inking a mega free trade agreement but the US Congress, which needs to approve it, is becoming increasingly skeptical about the deal.
With protectionist sentiment rising in Washington ahead of critical 2008 elections, legislators from the Democratic-controlled Congress fear the deal will worsen the already troubling US trade deficit and does not go far enough in dismantling trade barriers, especially in the key auto sector.
Spearheading the opposition is Hillary Clinton, the top Democratic presidential contender, who chose to speak against the deal last weekend in Michigan, the birthplace of the US automobile industry.
"They are (for) the distinct purpose of keeping US automobiles out of Korea and they must go," he said, raising his voice in a Congressional debate on the free trade pact Wednesday.
But Karan Bhatia, the deputy US Trade Representative, said the free trade agreement would allow US automakers to compete in South Korea "on a level playing field."
With protectionist sentiment rising in Washington ahead of critical 2008 elections, legislators from the Democratic-controlled Congress fear the deal will worsen the already troubling US trade deficit and does not go far enough in dismantling trade barriers, especially in the key auto sector.
Spearheading the opposition is Hillary Clinton, the top Democratic presidential contender, who chose to speak against the deal last weekend in Michigan, the birthplace of the US automobile industry.
"They are (for) the distinct purpose of keeping US automobiles out of Korea and they must go," he said, raising his voice in a Congressional debate on the free trade pact Wednesday.
But Karan Bhatia, the deputy US Trade Representative, said the free trade agreement would allow US automakers to compete in South Korea "on a level playing field."