Smith Participates in Hearing to Urge Pending Trade Agreements

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today participated in the final hearing of a three-part series hosted by the Subcommittee on Trade of the Ways and Means Committee about pending agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. Today’s hearing focused on the agreement with South Korea.

"Each day we delay enacting these pending agreements Nebraska's farmers and ranchers lose opportunity," Smith said. "The quality jobs and expanded exports created by these agreements would boost economic growth. All three pending trade agreements – Colombia, Panama, and South Korea – enjoy broad bipartisan support in the House and Senate, so we must continue working to hasten the consideration of all three by July 1."

The American Farm Bureau Federation estimates U.S. farm exports to South Korea could increase by more than $1.8 billion annually under the agreement.

Yesterday, Smith reacted to the White House announcement the Administration and Colombia reached an agreement on an action plan to resolve outstanding Colombian labor issues. A video Smith’s reaction may be watched here.

Smith serves on the Committee on Ways and Means, which has jurisdiction over trade agreements. The Committee on Ways and Means continues to press for the pending agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea to be considered by July 1, 2011.