Roberts Calls U.S. WTO Stand `Disaster' Blueprint

November 30, 1999

Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) warns that controversy over labor and environmental issues at the World Trade Organization talks in Seattle this week can derail the negotiations unless President Clinton backs off that part of the administration's agenda. Using trade to force controversial standards on the rest of the world "is a blueprint for disaster," says Roberts.

"It is now clear that the administration will use the Seattle talks as a way of pushing their environmental and labor agenda," says Roberts. "They have signaled their intent to use trade as a lever to force controversial standards on the rest of the world."

Labor and environmental issues should be pursued separately, says Roberts. "To link them to trade will further cripple the WTO's ability to settle trade disputes, as evidenced by the controversy over genetically enhanced products. It will create chaos in world trade. Worse, it will severely damage America's ability to compete in vital world markets."

Roberts is in Seattle this week for the opening of negotiations and will be a member of a panel discussing domestic and export agricultural subsidies. He also will meet with business leaders and foreign trade ministers.

Also in Seattle are House Agriculture Committee Chairman Larry Combest (R-TX) and the committee's ranking Democrat, Rep. Charles Stenholm (TX). Combest has pledged close consultations with the committee delegation and the U.S. trade representative and USDA officials during the negotiations.