Kansas

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts recently called for Congress to ratify the Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) to broaden markets for U.S. goods and to increase the stability in the region to protect U.S. national security.

At a hearing to review CAFTA before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Roberts said, "Facing a diverse, global economy and a growing agriculture trade deficit, now, more than ever, it is imperative that we make sure the American farmer is able to compete for consumers both in the United States and abroad."

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Kansas exported $20.2 million worth of manufactured goods to the CAFTA region. As the nation's second largest beef exporter, Kansas stands to gain from phase out of duties on beef, a critical part of CAFTA, which are as high as 30 percent. Duties would also be immediately eliminated for wheat, a $1.3 billion dollar industry in Kansas.

Senator Roberts asked Secretary of Agriculture Johanns about the ramifications on World Trade Organization negotiations if the Congress fails to approve CAFTA. Roberts said, "What do you do when people say, stop the world and let me off? We cannot let the interests of a few jeopardize overall agriculture. Developing nations view CAFTA-DR as a measure of U.S. commitment to free trade."

"By furthering our international trading relationships through agreements like the CAFTA, we broaden markets for American agricultural goods, but we also ensure the national security of our country. As Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I am concerned that some have overlooked national security interests to focus on what amounts to just a spoon full of sugar. While we have seen stability in the CAFTA countries in recent times, we must not take that for granted."

"Without question, approval of CAFTA is a matter of both national security and expanding market access," Roberts said. "Neither of which can be negotiated based upon the special preferences or interests of a single industry."

Senator Roberts is a strong supporter of increasing export markets for agriculture. In April, he joined other Senators in sending a letter to the White House calling for CAFTA-DR to remain intact and comprehensive. He is a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Date: 6/23/05

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