Moran to U.S. Trade Representative: No Further Compromise on WTO Negotiations

Generous Offer Already on Table, Congressional Approval will be Difficult

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Jerry Moran yesterday sent a letter to United States Trade Representative (USTR) Susan Schwab in response to reports that USTR may make further concessions on its current World Trade Organization (WTO) offer to reduce U.S. agriculture support. In the letter, Moran emphasized the importance that USTR not compromise any further on the United States' generous offer already placed on the table merely to reach an agreement with member nations.

"The U.S. cannot unilaterally disarm," Moran wrote in the letter. "The United States' aspiration to reform global markets is a noble one, but it cannot be advanced at the expense of the American farmer. The current U.S. offer is a significant change in domestic farm policy and will be difficult for Congress to approve even if substantial market access can be obtained from our trading partners."

Moran traveled to Geneva in April to meet with top U.S. and WTO officials involved in the negotiations, as well as representatives from six continents to discuss general progress on opening markets for U.S. producers and reducing trade barriers.

Moran is a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee.  

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