Friday, March 15, 2002
CONTACT: Barry E. Piatt
or Brenden Timpe
PHONE: 202-224-2551
DORGAN LEADS COLLEAGUES IN CALL ON U.S. TRADE AMBASSADOR TO STAND UP FOR U.S. WHEAT PRODUCERS, JUST AS HE DID FOR AMERICAN STEEL MANUFACTURERS
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) --- Four U.S. Senators from wheat states, led by North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) are challenging U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert B. Zoellick to stand up for U.S. wheat producers, just as he did for American steel producers, to stop unfair trade.
Signing the letter in addition to Dorgan were Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND), Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Ben Nelson (D-NE).
In a letter to Ambassador Zoellick, the Senators questioned how USTR could judge Canada guilty of ongoing unfair trade but fail to impose tariff rate quotas on Canadian wheat immediately. "If your office has concluded that the Canadian Wheat Board is currently engaged in unfair trade practices, why not use the tools at its disposal to provide immediate relief to U.S. wheat growers?"
They noted that Ambassador Zoellick had promised to file a case against Canada at the World Trade Organization (WTO), but that this could take years. "The U.S. steel industry has obtained immediate relief, while U.S. wheat growers have been asked to wait for years for relief that may or may not come."
The Senators dismissed concerns that U.S. tariff rate quotas on Canadian wheat would be challenged by Canada at the WTO. "Foreign steel producers warned of a WTO challenge if tariffs were imposed on steel imports, yet that did not deter you from standing up for U.S. steel."
"Our nation's ability to produce wheat is every bit as important as our ability to produce steel . . . We urge you to impose tariff rate quotas on Canadian wheat now."
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