The trade subcommittee is part of the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, where Grassley is the third most senior member. Only five senators are appointed to serve as Congressional Trade Advisors. The role enables Grassley to advise the administration and U.S. trade delegations on a broad range of trade problems and initiatives. The U.S. Trade Representative is required by law to keep each congressional advisor informed about U.S. trade objectives, the status of negotiations and of any changes which the administration may recommend in U.S. trade law.
In addition, Grassley will continue to serve as a member of the Joint Committee on Taxation. This panel is charged with overseeing the federal tax system, along with examining ways to simplify the income tax code. The joint committee is comprised of ten senior members of the Finance and Ways and Means committees.
In his official role as a congressional advisor on trade policy, Grassley said he will continue to press the People's Republic of China about its virtual exclusion of U.S. pork from the Chinese market. Although China agreed to a one-year trial program to import U.S. pork for the Chinese retail market, only token amounts of U.S. pork have reached Chinese consumers under this trial project. China restricts pork imports by imposing restrictive sanitary standards that have been rejected by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and by requiring U.S. producers to get hard-to-obtain licenses that are only available through one office in Beijing.
Earlier this month, Grassley wrote a letter to the Chinese ambassador to the United States, urging China to allow purchases of U.S. pork. "China represents the biggest market in the world. Real progress must be made by China on removing discriminatory licensing practices and restrictive sanitary regulations aimed at U.S. ag products before the U.S. can give serious consideration to China's bid to join the WTO," Grassley said.
Grassley also said today that the European Union (EU), with its new political consolidation and the introduction of the Euro will remain a central focus of his efforts as a congressional trade advisor. "I want to continue to help Iowa business navigate the complex EU laws governing the sale of machinery and electrical components to the EU and press the EU to follow through on its commitments to eliminate non-tariff trade barriers on agricultural products such as pork," Grassley said.
During the last several years, Grassley has been a leader on Capitol Hill working to break down non-tariff trade barriers and reduce export subsidies in other countries. He has exercised aggressive oversight of administration efforts to break down EU resistance to Bt corn and meat exported from the United States, for example, and he introduced bi-partisan legislation to require the U.S. government to retaliate against trading partners when they do not live up to agreements.
Grassley has been an outspoken advocate for fast-track trade negotiating authority for the president. Last year, Grassley organized a bi-partisan effort with Sen. Bob Kerrey of Nebraska to revitalize interest in trade issues in Congress. From Capitol Hill, Grassley has pro-actively monitored the progress of the U.S. Trade Representative in preparing for the 1999 agricultural talks.
Trade ministers from the 133 countries in the WTO are scheduled to meet in the U.S. in November to set the mandate, structure and deadlines for the next round of negotiations aimed at cutting subsidies paid to farmers and reforming international trade rules. Negotiations are expected to begin in early 2000 and end three years later.
"I look forward to continuing my work as chairman of the International Trade Subcommittee. Efforts by Congress and the administration to break down trade barriers and open new markets are critical to the future of the family farm in Iowa and the key to success with our efforts to market value-added products. I will continue using my position to push for a sustained and aggressive commitment on the part of U.S. negotiators to American agriculture and to achieve the necessary support in Congress for free and fair trade that benefits our consumers, workers and businesses," Grassley said.
Grassley also said today that he intends to look at U.S. export control laws that govern the sale abroad of sensitive, high technology products that might assist potential adversaries. "It is vital to strike a proper balance between trade and national security," he said.