[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 48 (Thursday, April 25, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S3430]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION: LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

 Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, this year marks the 76th year of 
operations for the U.S. International Trade Commission, ITC. Throughout 
that time, the Commission has played an essential role in the 
administration of U.S. trade remedy laws.
  Today, I would like to emphasize two aspects of the ITC that I 
believe are critical to their ability to effectively administer U.S. 
trade remedy laws in the future.
  First, it is important to remember that the ITC is an independent, 
impartial arbiter in international trade disputes under U.S. trade law. 
This independent stature was established and is guaranteed by the 
Congress. Inevitably, by deciding the cases on the merits, the 
Commission has made decisions that may be unpopular with certain 
industry sectors or individual Senators and Representatives--including 
me--and will doubtless to so again. But, despite disagreements the 
Congress continues to defend the Commission's independence. The fact 
that the Commission and Commissioners can rule on the merits, without 
fear of political pressure or retribution, is crucial to America's 
economy at home and our trade negotiations abroad.
  As other nations begin to implement their own trade remedy laws, they 
often look to U.S. law and institutions for guidance. It is important 
the U.S. institutions serve as good models for other nations. One way 
to do that is for Congress to ensure that the independent nature of the 
ITC is preserved, regardless of the outcome of any particular case, 
just as we would any other quasi-judicial agency. It is our duty as 
elected representatives.
  There is one other issue related to the ITC I would like to 
highlight, and that is the importance of having ITC Commissioners with 
an agriculture background. As the number of agricultural cases before 
the ITC increases, the appointment of a Commissioner with a substantive 
agricultural background is crucial to American agriculture. There are 
currently a number of antidumping orders and pending investigations 
affecting agricultural products. The ITC's commissioners must determine 
whether U.S. producers have suffered injury from unfairly traded 
products. A background in agriculture would assist the Commission in 
deciding these cases on the merits. I hope that the Administration will 
consider nominees with a background in agriculture, as current 
Commissioners' terms expire.

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