[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 147 (Tuesday, November 29, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: November 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 COMMON SENSE IN THE HEART OF OUR NATION

                                 ______


                           HON. DOUG BEREUTER

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 29, 1994

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, both proponents and opponents of the 
Uruguay Round Trade Agreement have made the claim that Americans do not 
fully understand the complexity of international trade. Yet, the 
Norfolk Daily News, in the heart of conservative America, has done a 
perfectly admirable job of understanding this complex issue and 
providing coherent and sensible coverage of this historic trade accord. 
The following article from Norfolk, NE, is a great example of why 
Nebraska's first district residents certainly understand trade.

              [From the Norfolk Daily News, Nov. 28, 1994]

                            Stakes Are High

       American agriculture has a special interest in the post-
     Thanksgiving special session of Congress. Whether or not 
     America will continue to lead the way toward freer trade 
     among nations is the issue. Removing trade barriers offers 
     America's food producers a chance to develop new markets.
       The stakes are high as a lame duck Congress, still 
     controlled by Democrats, convenes to vote on the General 
     Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. It is not a partisan issue, 
     however. Work on the agreement has spanned three 
     presidencies--those of Ronald Reagan, George Bush and Bill 
     Clinton.
       The principal argument being used against ratification is 
     that a single world trade body would find American laws 
     superseded; that Congress and American presidents would be 
     subservient in all trade matters to a super international 
     body not accountable either to the American electorate or 
     anyone else.
       It is a false argument. America's leaders will not 
     surrender their veto power over unfair trade tactics. Should 
     there be consistent violations of the spirit of the agreement 
     by other nations, Americans can readily withdraw. It is in 
     the best interests of any nation able to produce valuable 
     consumer goods efficiently and at fair prices to want to 
     compete on a global basis. That is what American enterprise 
     is capable of.
       It is estimated that lower tariffs on products imported 
     into America means the equivalent of a tax cut of $130 
     billion annually for American consumers. Further, an 
     additional $100 billion in American exports of goods and 
     services is anticipated, with the possible creation of a 
     half-million new jobs in this nation because products made 
     here are popular abroad.
       This is no time for America to withdraw from trade 
     competition and hunker down behind protectionist tariffs and 
     quotas. It is a time to stand up and compete, and set 
     examples in enterprise as this nation attempts to do in 
     democracy. Free trade, free enterprise and the free exchange 
     of ideas on an international basis are vital to world peace.
       Reducing worldwide tariffs by one-third, as the GATT 
     agreement does, should benefit all nations--but America most 
     of all.

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