*EPF107 01/07/2002
Text: USTR on Senate Leader's Trade Negotiations Comment
(Zoellick pleased Daschle made TPA a priority) (430)

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick has said he looks forward to working with Senate Majority Leader Thomas Daschle on getting Senate approval of trade promotion authority (TPA) legislation early this year.

In a January 4 statement Zoellick said he was pleased Daschle has made TPA a high priority.

Under TPA, or fast track, Congress restricts itself to approve or reject a negotiated trade agreement, within strict time limits and without amendments. The previous grant expired early in 1994. Since then attempts to reauthorize TPA have failed over labor and environmental issues. The House of Representatives passed its version of TPA legislation in December 2001.

Zoellick also said the administration recognizes that effective trade adjustment assistance must be a key component of U.S. trade strategy.

Daschle said that, as part of a TPA deal, trade adjustment assistance should be expanded to help U.S. workers displaced by global production shifts.

Following is the text of Zoellick's statement:

(begin text)

Zoellick Statement Regarding Trade Promotion Authority
and Senate Majority Leader Daschle's Comments

WASHINGTON -- United States Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick issued the following statement today regarding Trade Promotion Authority and Senate Majority Leader Daschle's comments today.

"I'm pleased to see that Senate Majority Leader Daschle has established a high priority for prompt Senate approval of Trade Promotion Authority.

"From day one, the Bush Administration has made renewing TPA a major part of its economic strategy for American economic security, growth, prosperity, and global leadership. Though we've been able to build momentum behind trade in the past year with the help of Congress, TPA is key to America's ability to negotiate and deliver trade agreements and continue U.S. economic leadership. I urge the Senate to approve TPA when it returns from its recess. TPA has been approved by the House and enjoys broad bipartisan support in the Senate, as demonstrated by the 18-3 vote in the Finance Committee.

"Majority Leader Daschle has called for inclusion of measures such as Trade Adjustment Assistance. The Administration recognizes that effective adjustment assistance must be a key component of America's trade strategy.

"I look forward to working constructively with the Senate Leadership on Trade Promotion Authority to ensure a vote on the Senate floor early in the new session. Another priority we must address is the renewal of recently expired trade preference programs such as the Andean Trade Preference Act and the Generalized System of Preferences, which promote hope and opportunity in developing nations in Latin America, Africa, and around the world."

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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