[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Pages 19961-19962]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   IN SUPPORT OF U.S.-CHILE AND U.S.-SINGAPORE FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS

  Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise today to support the U.S.-Chile and

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U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreements, which are now before the Senate. 
These agreements are the first to be considered under the expedited 
Trade Promotion Authority, TPA, procedure that Congress passed last 
year. Ratification of these agreements will provide significant 
benefits to agricultural producers and the U.S. economy. Strong 
bipartisan votes will send an important message that the U.S. Congress 
is strongly committed to growing the U.S. economy and helping American 
farmers and workers succeed in an ever-growing competitive global 
marketplace.
  Both the U.S.-Singapore and U.S.-Chile free trade agreements will 
level the playing field for U.S. products and farm goods. Specifically, 
both agreements will eliminate the use of subsidies on agricultural 
exports, a major step forward for U.S. agriculture in WTO negotiations. 
There is a clear link between a healthy agricultural sector and trade. 
More than 43,000 Nebraskans hold jobs related to agriculture exports. 
Nebraska ranks fourth nationally in exports of agricultural products--
an estimated $3.14 billion in 2002. In 2002, Nebraska farmers and 
ranchers saw increased international sales of corn, soybeans, and 
wheat, and depend on the ability to export their products to the rest 
of the world for continued growth.
  The U.S.-Singapore free trade agreement will strengthen an important 
relationship and serve as our first free trade agreement with an Asian 
nation. Singapore is a critical ally in Southeast Asia in the global 
war on terrorism. Singapore is also an important economic ally. It is 
our 12th largest trading partner. This free trade agreement will 
provide expanded opportunities for trade and investment and will 
increase job opportunities here at home. It will benefit American firms 
in many sectors, including those in the banking/financial industry and 
in professional services. Under the agreement, 100 percent of U.S. 
goods and 92 percent of Singaporean goods will have duty-free status 
immediately. The free trade agreement further ensures that Singapore 
cannot increase its duties on any U.S. product.
  The U.S.-Chile Free Trade agreement will be the first between the 
U.S. and a South American nation. Under this agreement, American 
farmers, workers, and businesses will benefit from improved and 
expanded access to the Chilean market. More than 75 percent of U.S. 
farm goods will enter Chile tariff-free within 4 years, with all 
tariffs being phased out within 12 years. This agreement will eliminate 
tariffs on corn and most distilled spirits in 2 years. It will 
immediately eliminate tariffs on pork and pork products, soybeans, and 
many other agricultural products. Access for beef on both sides will be 
completely liberalized over 4 years. Overall, this agreement will 
immediately remove tariffs on more than 85 percent of U.S. exports. The 
U.S.-Chile agreement will provide momentum to the ongoing negotiations 
in the Free Trade of the Americas and global trade talks. Bilateral 
agreements, such as this agreement with Chile, are essential because 
they provide benefits immediately and help the U.S. keep pace with the 
16 global competitors, including the EU and Canada, who already have 
preferential trade agreements with Chile.
  Free trade provides the basis for economic growth and democratic 
governance in developing countries. Free trade promotes American values 
around the world. It underpins a global economic order that is 
essential to our own economic security. Agreements like those before us 
today will help the U.S. to reap the benefits of free trade and gain 
access to emerging markets, creating new jobs and higher incomes for 
Americans. Ninety-six percents of the world's consumers are outside of 
U.S. borders. Foreign market access is essential for the continued 
growth and viability of the U.S. economy. International trade is an 
essential component of growth and opportunity in our global economy. 
The U.S. must be a leader, not a follower, in the global marketplace.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the Chile and Singapore Free 
Trade Agreements.

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