Bridging Cultures: Antique Indian Doors with Mediterranean Arches
Amcham Korea March Ppp
1. The US-Korea Free Trade Agreement How to Promote Your Interests Amy Jackson C&M International [email_address] T: (202) 624-2501 F: (202) 628-5116 March 2006
2. Agenda Overview of the US Government’s FTA Policy: Things to Watch What is needed for Success of the US-Korea FTA? What You Can Do The U.S.-Korea FTA: How to Promote Your Interests
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5. US Free Trade Agreements: 11 Proposed Things to Watch: FTAs are here to stay Middle East Egypt Kuwait Saudi Arabia Qatar Latin America Bolivia Mercosur Europe Switzerland Asia-Pacific ASEAN Japan Taiwan Philippines Indonesia New Zealand
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7. The Role of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) Things to Watch: Short time to negotiate a complicated deal TPA grants the President the authority to negotiate international trade agreements that cannot be revised by Congress, but can only be approved on an up-down vote. This was previously known as “ fast-track” authority The President’s TPA lapsed in 1994 but was renewed in 2002. Since then, the US has passed 6 FTAs under TPA rules. After being extended in 2005, TPA is set to expire on July 1, 2007 . The Administration’s goals is to conclude all FTAs currently under negotiation by March 31, 2007 : Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, UAE, Ecuador, SACU, FTAA. COMPREHENSIVE TPA requires specific consultations with Congress on agriculture, fish and shellfish, textiles, trade remedies, etc. EXTENSIVE CONGRESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT The Executive Branch maintains extensive dialogue with Congress throughout the process
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15. Macro-level Factors What is needed for success of the US-Korea FTA? Wild Card: No Foreign Policy Blow-Ups Six Party Talks US military “incidents” Other
16. Wild Card: No FTA Issues Become “Too Hot to Handle” Korean Side Macro-level Factors What is needed for success of the US-Korea FTA? Reactive based on events in Korea Private sector views on outcome of negotiations US “must haves”/ “must not haves” Sugar in CAFTA What (if anything) will “IT” be in US-Korea FTA? Korean “must haves”/ “must not haves” Protestors? How many / How vocal / How extreme Rogue ministries Refusal to negotiate? Inflammatory Press Pre-presidential election politics Korean Side Throughout the Process US Side Primarily at the end of the Process
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20. What You Can Do: Role of individual companies The U.S.-Korea FTA: How to Promote Your Interests Develop a Comprehensive Outreach Strategy NOW 1 Don’t underestimate your ability to influence 2 Watch developments carefully 3 Take advantage of opportunities—Think Strategically 4 Be Vocal—Make your needs known throughout the process 5 Be good sales people
21. Don’t Underestimate Your Ability to Influence What You Can Do Executive Branch (President & Agencies ) Congress Private Sector Korean Government
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23. Take advantage of opportunities What You Can Do This will be more comprehensive than past US FTAs Possible areas for expanded commitment include: USKFTA will also set a higher bar for future US FTAs Think strategically and realistically AUTOS PHARMA GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY POSTAL INSURANCE OTHERS?
24. Be vocal—Develop and frame requests carefully What You Can Do Things to consider: YES NO Is there such a thing as “over ambitious”? NOTE: In FTAs, USG must consider “defensive” concerns Can issues be resolved in context of FTA negotiations but Outside of actual FTA text? What kind of phase-in can I accept? What “evidence” can I put forward to support my opinion? Is there any link to Roh policies or plans? Can I enlist any domestic support?
25. Make sure both the US and Korean governments understand YOUR needs and priorities Be vocal What You Can Do Submit Written Comments Utilize the Media Meet with Government Representatives Reduce costs and operational risks Protect and grow Your market share Increase your bottom line
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27. Be vocal—Meet with government representatives and others What You Can Do Leverage all available resources throughout the process Work both sides—frequently Cast a wide net Congress (National Assembly) will be key but also go beyond the “usual suspects” Package your requests carefully Be as specific as possible
28. February 2, 2006 Official launch of KUFTA negotiations February 9, 2006 USG FR notice out requesting public comments March 14, 2006 Public Hearing on KUFTA March 24, 2006 Public comments on KUFTA due to USTR April 17, 2006 Public comments on labor rights due to Dept of Labor April 20, 2006 ITC hearing on probable economic effects of FTA April 27, 2006 Public comments on economic effects of FTA due to ITC June 5-8, 2006 First round of negotiations in Washington July 10-14, 2006 Second round of negotiations in Seoul, with subsequent meetings every 6-8 weeks December 31, 2006 Target date for concluding KUFTA negotiations March 31, 2007 Real “drop-dead” date for concluding KUFTA negotiations July 1, 2007 Trade Promotion Authority Expires Be vocal What You Can Do
29. “ We fully support this Administration’s decision to launch FTA talks with Korea. Korea is the United States’ seventh-largest trading partner in terms of two-way trade and fifth-largest market for U.S. agricultural goods…Moreover, as the bilateral economic relationship is strengthened through an FTA, this will also strengthen the critical political relationship between our two countries.” - US–Korea FTA business coalition , a coalition of over 75 companies and associations representing industry, agriculture, and services sectors “ The [National Association of Manufacturers] NAM has been the leading advocate for a free trade agreement with Korea, and we are enormously pleased by today’s announcement…An FTA with Korea would be a big deal for U.S. manufacturers…The United States exported $24 billion of manufactured goods to Korea last year alone. That number would grow substantially with an FTA and both the American and Korean economies would benefit considerably.” - John Engler, President, National Association of Manufacturers “ The Food Products Association strongly supports the free international trade in food and agricultural products… South Korea is our sixth largest trade partner in terms of agriculture, representing a $2.5. billion export market for U.S. agricultural products…For the United States, An FTA would provide U.S. food companies with increased access to the South Korean market, as well as new opportunities for processed foods and beverages. We commend U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman for his efforts to promote free trade, and we applaud his work to reach an agreement with South Korea to facilitate the growth in trade between our two nations.” - Cal Dooley, President and CEO, Food Products Association "The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) commends the Bush Administration and Ambassador Portman for beginning the process necessary to create a new trade agreement in the Far East -- the U.S.-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Launching these talks with an economic partner and ally such as South Korea can help the U.S. high-tech industry and other businesses expand the $73 billion trading market there.” - Dave McCurdy, President and CEO, Electronic Industries Alliance Be vocal—Utilize the media What You Can Do
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31. Federal Register Notice on KUFTA http://frwebgate/access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/multidb.cgi USTR http://www.ustr.gov US-Korea FTA Business Coalition http://www.uskoreafta.org Other Resources What You Can Do Congress—Find your Representative http://www.house.gov/htbin/wrep_findrep Korean Economic Institute (KEI) FTA Resource Center http://keia.org/4-1-fta.html US Department of Commerce http://www.doc.gov http://www.export.govta