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Vilsack on signs of FTA consideration next month

Senate Republicans and some others in Congress have indicated they may be able to move forward on Trade Adjustment Authority provisions of the pending Free Trade Agreements with the United States and Congress could begin consideration of the FTAs in September.

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke with reporters about that this week.

“That is certainly the hope. We are obviously interested and excited about having these free trade agreements approved as quickly as possible. And, I think it’s important for folks to work in a bipartisan way to make sure that what we do is holistic and comprehensive.”

Vilsack says it’s important that the opportunities that will open up with the FTAs won’t cause disadvantages for others. He says the FTA with Korea will create more than $2 Billion in sales for the U.S. and several hundred million with Colombia and Panama.

“You know, the more market opportunities there are, the stronger the prices will be and the easier it is for folks to get through these tough and difficult times,” says Vilsack.

Meanwhile, the Canadian free trade agreement with Colombia goes into effect next Monday, August 15th.