05/17/06 Trade Rep. Nomination

The Senate Finance Committee yesterday morning met to discuss the nomination of current Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab to replace Rob Portman as U.S. Trade Representative. Just last month - President Bush tapped Portman as his next budget director and picked Schwab as Portman`s replacement. At that time - Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa said he was pleased with the President`s decision to elevate Schwab to the U.S. Trade Representative post. And on Tuesday - ahead of the Committee hearing - Grassley again expressed his support of her nomination Grassley: She's been involved in negotiations over some time, over numerous issues including trade agreements with Peru and Columbia. The Doha Round negotiations of the World Trade Organization are very important and quite frankly at a very tenuous stage it's time we get something done and I'm sure that Ambassador Schwab understands the immediacy of that. Plus - as a former staff member on Capitol Hill - Grassley says Schwab understands the perspective of lawmakers on trade issues. And because of her knowledge and experience - Grassley says he has great faith in her abilities to lead... Grassley: I am confident that Ambassador Schwab will effectively meet each of the many challenges she'll face as our next trade representative. I look forward to working with her to advance the President's trade agenda. I hope to see Ambassador Schwab confirmed for her new position as quickly as possible. Finance Committee members were also scheduled to take a look at the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement Tuesday. According to Grassley - the deal is a very strong agreement and covers all agricultural products...tape Grassley: Oman will provide immediate duty free access for current U.S. agricultural exports and 87% of the agricultural &.remaining agricultural products will be phased out over 10 years. In addition Oman will provide substantial market access across its entire service regime. I realize that Oman is a very small nation, not a large market, but this agreement gives our exporters, investors and service providers real benefits. Beyond that - according to Grassley - the U.S.-Oman FTA serves as a solid model for future trade agreements the U.S. may negotiate in the Middle East and other Arab nations. That's today's Line On Agriculture. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.