The United States is again calling for adjustments to the free trade agreement it signed with Korea in 2007.
In the latest development Deputy US Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis said progress on automobiles and beef is required for implementation of the agreement.
In his keynote address at Georgetown University on Thursday Ambassador Marantis spoke about America's trade policy stressing that Korea is a market where cars feature prominently but that the Asian country's application of non-tariff barriers to American automakers should be addressed before moving the deal forward for ratification.
He also said the Obama Administration is working to make sure the US auto industry gets a "fair shake" in Korea adding that once the Korea-US FTA takes effect it will be the "most economically significant in over a decade."
Regarding beef Marantis pointed out that key Asian markets including Korea, Taiwan, China and Japan have banned or limited American beef imports since 2001.
He went on to say that while Korea agreed to a beef import protocol in line with scientific and international standards in 2008 other Asian countries have yet to do so and that global agriculture trade should be guided by science.
Meanwhile US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also stressed on the same day that the United States is committed to its FTAs with Korea, Panama and Colombia and that she expects Congress to reach a consensus soon.
Jang Sou-ie, Arirang News.
FEB 26, 2010
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Friday, SEP 03, 2010, (KST) 
