[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 21 (Thursday, March 5, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H882-H883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ASIAN TRADE REFORM IMPLEMENTATION BILL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Berry) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues' support 
for legislation I introduced to increase fairness in international 
trade.
  As my record shows, I am a strong advocate of fair trade and 
expanding markets for American products. Our sound economy is due 
largely to our commitment to open trade. This open trade has led to 
global competition,

[[Page H883]]

which, in turn, has improved our productivity and our efficiency.
  We are all painfully aware of the economic crisis in Asia. We will 
likely have a spirited debate on what the United States should do to 
help out our troubled allies and trading partners in that region. 
Regardless of whether we vote to use more American money to replenish 
IMF accounts, we are already the largest contributor to the fund. As 
such, it is our obligation to speak up for what is right.
  My bill does not focus on what role the United States should have in 
the Asian recovery. My bill is focused on what the Asians should do to 
help themselves by upholding their trade reform commitments and 
ensuring fair trade. Many of the so-called Asian tigers have enjoyed 
dramatic growth by focusing on exports.
  They have insulated their markets from foreign competition and often 
subsidized their exports to undercut the world price. This lack of real 
competition has weakened their domestic economies to the breaking 
point.
  As the world struggles to deal with the Asian crisis, we ought to 
take responsibility as the world leader in trade and democracy. The 
bill I have introduced would use our voice and vote as the IMF, the 
World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank to insist that promised 
marketing-opening reforms are carried out in Asia.
  For too long we have been shut out of these growing markets. For too 
long we have faced Asian goods unfairly dumped into our markets, 
hurting our factories and our workers.
  Now is the time to make the changes that will help. We can help our 
workers and businesses by requiring that the Asians allow fair trade, 
and fair markets, for U.S. goods.
  I urge my colleagues to support the Asian Trade Reform Implementation 
Act. It will send a strong and firm message to Asia: Open up your doors 
to U.S. products.

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