[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 152 (Wednesday, October 12, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H6784]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 H.R. 3080, UNITED STATES-KOREA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Alabama (Mrs. Roby) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. ROBY. I come to the floor today to talk about the need to pass 
the three free trade agreements that we will be voting on today. These 
agreements will mean more export opportunities, access to raw materials 
at a lower cost for American manufacturing, and make American companies 
and farmers more competitive in additional markets where they currently 
face high tariffs. Free trade agreements result in jobs and profits for 
American businesses.
  In 2010, the Second District of Alabama saw 4,927 jobs directly 
supported by exports. Of the $2 billion in total merchandise exports, 
$769.4 million was to free trade agreement partners. The Korea, 
Colombia, and Panama free trade agreements will open up opportunities 
for businesses all over the Nation, including those in my home State of 
Alabama.
  In regards to the Korea free trade and what it means to Alabama, in 
2009 Alabama did $300 million in exports to Korea, making Korea the 
11th largest export market for Alabama. According to the Business 
Roundtable, the agreement that we will be voting on today will make 
more than half of Alabama merchandise exports to Korea be duty free. 
The immediate tariff eliminations in this bill gives Alabama exports a 
$3.1 million cost advantage over similar products exported by 
competitors who do not have free trade agreements with Korea.
  Additionally, agriculture in Alabama will benefit from the Korea free 
trade agreement. Currently, U.S. agricultural products face tariffs up 
to 500 percent in South Korea. By eliminating these tariffs, 
agriculture will see over $20.3 million in additional gains in sales to 
South Korea. In particular, it is estimated that Alabama's export of 
poultry will rise to $4.4 million per year, and cattle and beef to $3.7 
million per year.
  In regards to the Colombia free trade agreement, in 2010, Colombia 
was Alabama's 21st largest export market, with $154 million in exports. 
The agreement we will be voting on today will mean an estimated 72.3 
percent increase in exports for Alabama to Colombia and 56.4 percent in 
fabricated metal products.
  And finally, Panama is one of the fastest expanding economies in 
Latin American. In 2010, the United States saw a 7.5 percent growth in 
exports to Panama. In regards to agriculture, the United States 
exported more than $450 million to Panama in 2010.
  The free trade agreements that we are voting on today are in total 
expected to increase direct agricultural exports from Alabama by $22.8 
million per year, and the increased marketing opportunities will add 
more than 200 jobs to the Alabama economy. It is unfortunate that these 
agreements have taken so long to be considered by Congress. They will 
have a significant impact on our economy. This delay has already put 
American businesses at a disadvantage with the South Korea-European 
Union free trade agreement going into effect in July of this year.
  American businesses do not need a stimulus or stimulus programs that 
do not work. I have come to the floor several times to talk about how 
American businesses are being stifled by overreaching and burdensome 
regulations. American businesses have also been stifled by the slow-
moving administration and ensuring that our businesses have the same 
advantages as those in other countries. These agreements remove the 
high tariffs that have been in place in important and expanding 
markets.
  I will continue to work to protect and promote jobs here in the 
United States and in my home State of Alabama and will be voting 
``yes'' on all three trade agreements. I ask my colleagues to do so as 
well.

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