Rep. Crane Cites India, S. America as Trade Priorities
The House of Representatives Trade Subcommittee Chairman Phil Crane (R-IL)
cited expanded trade with India and South America as priorities for next
year's legislative agenda. Often listed as a possible Ways and Means Chairman
during the next congressional session, Mr. Crane's priorities will most
likely dictate the legislative trade agenda.
The Republican also expressed an interest in extending to Colombia the
trade terms of the Caribbean Basin Initiative signed into law this year.
He added that the chances for moving ahead with the Free Trade Agreement
of the Americas (FTAA) would be helped by renewal of fast track negotiating
authority for the president. However, he reiterated his opposition to the
inclusion of labor and environmental provisions as part of that bill.
On a related note, the Congressman disagreed with USTR Barshefsky's
assertion that fast track may no longer be essential. She had stated that
winning congressional approval for fast track could tie the president's
hands in future trade talks. She cited the trade pacts with Jordan, China
and Vietnam as showing how trade could be expanded without fast track.
Mr. Crane argued that fast track "strengthens our hand at the negotiating
table and maximizes congressional input. Anything less puts American workers,
farmers and businesses at a considerable disadvantage in the international
marketplace." Fast track authority expired in 1994.
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