USTR Says Korea Must Open Rice Market
A U.S. trade official said there can be no exceptions in the upcoming Free Trade Agreement negotiations with Korea. Richard Crowder, the agricultural chief at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said America’s FTAs are meant to be comprehensive and reaffirmed that the FTA with Korea means opening up its rice market. Crowder was speaking at a policy conference of Informa Economics, a business consulting group.
Korean farmers vociferously oppose the opening of the rice market, which accounts for nearly 70 percent of the country’s agricultural industry. The Korean government plans to seek exceptions for rice and other sensitive items. Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong has characterized the rice issue as “food security” that affects the “psyche” of a nation whose staple is rice.
Meanwhile, Crowder also hinted the U.S. will ask Korea to lift strict quarantine guidelines for American beef. Korea suspended U.S. beef imports in December 2003 when the U.S. reported an outbreak of mad cow disease. In January this year, Korea allowed limited import of beef from cows under 30 months old.
Arirang News