Second under this bill, the U.S. Trade Representative would have to notify interested groups about the foreign country's progress 90 days before the compliance deadline. The Trade Representative would also have to let people know what steps recommended by the WTO are being ignored. The groups would be given a month to comment on the foreign government's progress. Third, the bill would give agricultural groups the opportunity to comment 60 days after the foreign country's time to comply runs out. After the comment period has expired and agricultural groups have commented, the U.S. Trade Representative would have to submit a report to Congress concerning the country's compliance with WTO requirements.
Trade is no help to our economy unless it's fair trade.
Each country involved in trade seeks to maximize its export quantities and prices while importing less and buying at lower prices. But in the latest EU case, the WTO's attempt to balance the scales is being ignored. I think giving the groups most affected, namely the agricultural industry, more access to the process would serve to apply public pressure to the points that are most likely to cause countries bucking the system to yield. The new legislation cosponsored by Enzi has the support of many agricultural organizations including the National Farmers Union, the American Farm Bureau and the National Cattlemen's Association.