[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1624]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




UNITED STATES-CHILE FREE TRADE AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT, H.R. 2738 
 AND UNITED STATES-SINGAPORE FREE TRADE AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT, 
                               H.R. 2739

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                               speech of

                           HON. EARL POMEROY

                            of north dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 2003

  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to 
vote for these two trade agreements, H.R. 2738 and 2739. I firmly 
believe that these trade agreements will provide exciting opportunities 
for the United States, including U.S. agricultural producers. For 
example, under the Chile agreement, more than three-quarters of U.S. 
farm goods will enter Chile duty-free within four years, and all 
tariffs will be phased out within 12 years. Many North Dakota 
agricultural products, such as soybeans, durum wheat, feed grains, 
corn, and potatoes will have greatly improved market access.
  I am not, however, without concern regarding these, or future trade 
agreements. Chile and Singapore are examples of countries with laws 
that reflect core international labor principles. As such, the 
``enforce your own'' laws provision that is included in these 
agreements is tolerable, although it would be preferable to have 
additional and independent enforcement mechanisms. Unfortunately, the 
same cannot be said of many of the countries and regions with which the 
United States is in the process of negotiating trade agreements.
  For this reason, I will not support future agreements that do not 
open markets for United States agricultural products; that do not 
require adoption and enforcement of the basic prohibitions on 
exploitive child labor, forced labor, discrimination, and guarantee the 
right to associate and bargain collectively; or that provide greater 
rights for foreign investors than Americans in the United States. I 
look forward to working with my colleagues and the United States Trade 
Representative in ensuring that these important ideals are honored.

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