U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., and U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky, discuss trade policy during a break of the President's Export Counsel (PEC) meeting. The meeting was held on Capitol Hill, and brought together representatives from the private sector, labor, Congress and the president's cabinet to discuss recommendations to be given to the president relating to upcoming World Trade Organization rounds. The PEC promotes export expansion and provides a forum for discussing trade.
Washington- Agriculture, specifically biotechnology and market access for soda ash, are key elements of upcoming World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., told fellow members of the President's Export Council (PEC) today.
"Without fully addressing the acceptance and safety of genetically modified agricultural products, the progress made in the last 20 years toward producing sustainable crops will be eliminated," he said.
Enzi's comments were made at a meeting of the council, called to discuss goals for world trade negotiations taking place November in Seattle, Wash. He also called for U.S. trade representatives to negotiate an end to the European Union's ban on U.S. beef.
"Being from a Western beef state I can assure you that it is paramount that this and other biotechnology issues be fully addressed. The hormone disagreement we are experiencing with the European Union must be resolved to open those markets," he said.
Enzi, who chairs the Senate Subcommittee on International Trade and Finance, said he looks forward to attending the negotiations and personally asked U.S. Trade Representative
"The WTO negotiations are an opportunity for us to promote the export of soda ash. It's a critical issue for Wyoming and our nation. We're the largest natural producer in the world, but some countries tax our exports up to 80 percent," said Enzi. "I want to thank Trade Representative Barshefsky for the efforts she's made to highlight that fact and hopefully this issue will be on the agenda for the WTO meetings." Enzi also mentioned the need to ensure negotiations guard against actions that could impede the development of e-commerce. He said success requires skillful negotiators with an understanding of the vast benefits of the Internet and a wise and comprehensive trade policy. International tax policy was another topic addressed by Enzi at today's PEC meeting. Enzi emphasized the need for: "Our international tax policy is currently a patchwork of too many different principles and provisions," said Enzi. "Congress must attempt to clarify and streamline our international tax policies while strengthening the position of U.S. based corporations in both foreign and domestic markets." Enzi said one way to help U.S. businesses is to permanently extend the research and experimentation tax credit and work to reverse the WTO's prohibition of the use of foreign sales corporations as tax "equalizers." The WTO's decision will adversely effect about 6,000 U.S.-based exporters. The PEC is the premier national advisory committee for the president on international trade policy matters and is comprised of representatives from government and the private sector. In addition to five senators and five congressmen, the PEC ranks include Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman, Labor Secretary Alexis Herman, Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, The Secretary of Commerce William Daley, U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky and other executive officials. Barshefsky, Glickman and Daley were all in attendance at today's meeting. Twenty-eight private sector members are also part of the board. Some notables are C. Michael Armstrong, CEO of AT&T, United Parcel Service CEO James Kelly and the CEO of Delta Airlines Leo Mullin.
