[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 3, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H4529-H4530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         FAIR TRADE WITH JAPAN

  (Mr. McINTOSH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. McINTOSH. Mr. Speaker, today, officials from the U.S. Trade 
Representative's Office are meeting with Japanese officials to address 
the current trade imbalance in auto parts between our two countries. I 
hope their efforts are successful.
  Now, I am an advocate for free trade. For countries to prosper in 
today's global market place, they must export and import freely. The 
deal is simple. It's a two-way street.
  Unfortunately, when it comes to Japan, our open market-policies have 
not been reciprocated. Hard-working American autoworkers and 
manufacturers of automotive parts in Indiana and throughout America 
have faced unfair barriers to their products. Last 
[[Page H4530]] year, Japan imported 1 U.S. car for every 25 it 
exported; 60 percent of our $66 billion deficit with Japan results from 
imbalances in cars and autoparts.
  American autoparts manufacturers are not asking for special 
privileges, just a fair opportunity to compete in Japan. We have waited 
too long. The Japanese must honor the practices of free trade and agree 
to fairly import U.S. auto parts.
  When I meet with automakers and autoworkers in the Second 
Congressional District of Indiana they tell me, ``We make the best auto 
products in the world, just give us a fair chance to compete.'' An 
agreement that allows real access to the Japanese market for autos and 
auto parts is a matter of fairness for U.S. automotive firms and 
workers.


                          ____________________