FAS Administrator talks trade
Farm and Ranch August 3, 2009 When he spoke last month at the U.S. Grains Council meeting in San Diego, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service administrator Michael Michener, said the Obama Administration is rethinking the way the U.S. approaches trade. One thing Michener emphasized was more transparency in trade efforts. Michener: “Communication and transparency in the policy making process will help us conclude trade deals that will not only win support when Congress votes, but as we implement trade commitments for years to come.” Michener said part of the administration’s trade strategy is to continue working to achieve further global trade liberalization under WTO’s Doha Round. Michener: “Our goal remains the same, to see the mission of the round fulfilled through the creation of new economic opportunities and a major contribution to global economic development and growth. For you that means new meaningful market access opportunities.” The FAS administrator said that in addition to the Doha Round the U.S. needs to achieve meaningful access through the negotiation of free trade agreements. Michener says the administration believes there is bipartisan congressional support for the pending Panama Free Trade Agreement. He said the President recently instructed the U.S. Trade Representative to conduct a review of the Columbia Free Trade Agreement to deal with some outstanding issues. And Michener said the dialogue continues on a U.S.-Korean Free Trade Agreement. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network. ? ?
