[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 72 (Wednesday, June 5, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S5033]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TUNA PROVISION IN THE ANDEAN TRADE PREFERENCES ACT

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today to express my deep concern 
with the tuna provision in the Andean Trade Preferences Expansion Act 
(ATPEA) portion of the Trade Act of 2002. The purpose of ATPEA is to 
encourage economic opportunities other than drug production and trade 
in Andean nations. Previously, canned tuna has not been included in the 
list of items given preferential tariff treatment. The provision 
included in the Trade Act would authorize the President to extend duty-
free treatment to a specified level of imports of canned tuna from 
Andean nations.
  The Philippines, an important ally in the war on terrorism, is likely 
to be harmed economically by the unintended consequences of this 
action. The canneries and most of the tuna fishing fleet of the 
Philippines are based on the island of Mindanao. The tuna industry 
directly accounts for 45,000 jobs on Mindanao and approximately 105,000 
people are employed in supporting industries. These jobs are being 
risked by the Andean Trade Preferences Act.
  It is also important to note that the Abu Sayyaf, which is believed 
to be linked to the al-Qaida terrorist network, operates in the 
Mindanao region. The Abu Sayyaf organization has been responsible for 
kidnappings, executions, and bombings. U.S. Armed Forces are assisting 
the Philippines in combating the terrorist group. Providing 
preferential tariff treatment to tuna from Andean nations has the 
possibility of destabilizing a region in which we have U.S. troops 
involved in anti-terrorism operations.
  It is my hope that the conferees can effectively address this 
important national security issue and prevent economic disruption in a 
region where a war on terrorism is being fought.
  The tuna tariffs reveal a need for enhanced coordination of trade 
preferences. A thoughtful strategy of balancing trade preferences must 
be developed to prevent future policy inconsistencies in the future.

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