U.S. Losing Political, PR Battle On International Trade

December 15, 1999

Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) says the United States is losing "both a political and public relations battle and the stakes are enormous" in the attempt to start a new round of international agricultural trade talks within the framework of the World Trade Organization.

In an address last week to the Farm Journal agriculture conference, Roberts laid part of the blame for the failure of the WTO to get an agenda finalized in Seattle at the feet of the Clinton Administration.

"When you invite, encourage and sympathize with protestors and the tag-along radical activists who have vowed to disrupt and shut down proceedings and deny the right of assembly and free speech, I believe you bear part of the responsibility for what happens," said Roberts. "Instead the President poured rhetorical gasoline on the protest fire..."

President Clinton said he believed the trade negotiating process should be opened up to the people who were demonstrating. "Why on earth, Mr. President, would you advocate opening up extremely difficult negotiations on world trade and your stated trade agenda to those who wish to stop them by any means possible, lawful or otherwise?" Roberts asked.

He said delegates went to Seattle "knowing the trade talks would be difficult, knowing the European Union would dig in regarding their positions (and opposition to ours), knowing that trade agreements are over-sold and over criticized, knowing there are legitimate concerns, knowing we must address those concerns but ready to assist in the hard work that all trade negotiations involve."

The 1,000 or more organizations opposed to trade reform won the first trade round in Seattle, Roberts added, "and will win the next if Washington and the business and agriculture community do not move decisively."

When Congress reconvenes in January, one priority will be normal trading status for China. "Given the performance by the Clinton-Gore Administration in Seattle and the protectionist and ideological opposition in the Congress, we must realize that agreement is in deep trouble."

The failure of the Seattle talks means "there will be greater urgency regarding legislative efforts in the Congress to address farm policy both short and long term." But the promised reforms to be passed to complement the Freedom to Farm law have not been approved, said Roberts. Those are crop insurance reform, sanctions reform, regulatory relief and tax policy changes.

Congress may write a new farm law "in the middle of an election year with a lot of political rhetoric absent any policy alternative consistent with our WTO position or any budget recommendation to pay for it," he said.

Click here for the full text of Roberts' remarks.