U.S. Needs to Enhancing Safety Its Beef First
Two chief trade negotiators from South Korea and the United States attended different events held in Seoul, Wednesday. But their motives seemed to be the same _ ratification of the bilateral free trade agreement. Assistant U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Wendy Cutler visited the Chrysler outlet in Yongsan along with U.S. Ambassador to Korea Alexander Vershbow in an apparent bid to express U.S. hopes to see brisker sales of its cars on the Korean market.
Cutler also showed up at a luncheon meeting organized by the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in Korea, Tuesday. Australian beefsteak was served there. Cutler said she would like to eat U.S. beef next time. It was a sort of protest over the alleged lack of efforts to open the market for U.S. beef in Korea. She renewed U.S. calls for full-fledged liberalization of U.S. beef imports in order to nudge the U.S. Congress to ratify the KORUS FTA. She hoped the two nations will be able to confirm the free trade accord if they join forces despite possible difficulties ahead.
On the other side of the scene, Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon delivered a key note speech and engaged in a question and answer session on the FTA with a group of senior journalists at the Press Center. He stressed the need for the National Assembly to pass the KORUS FTA bill _ now pending at a related committee _ as soon as possible. ``It is nonsense to expect to benefit by postponing the ratification,'' he said. He noted there would be many adverse impacts if ratification was delayed due to growing expectations for further compensation among anti-FTA forces.
Given these and other facts, both the Korean and U.S. governments appear willing to wrap up the FTA issue at the earliest date possible. But the beef issue has been a major barrier in the way. Negotiators have failed to make progress in their Oct. 11-12 meetings in Seoul over the matter. They engaged in a war of nerves. The Korean side insisted on excluding specified risk materials (SRMs), which could transmit mad cow disease, from the imports though it will allow the import of other beef.
The U.S. side has renewed its call for full resumption of the imports, citing the fact that the U.S. has been given ``controlled risk'' status regarding the disease from the World Organization for Animal Health. The negotiations took place following U.S. shipments of problematic beef produce. Despite repeated disclosure of such improper trading, the U.S. has failed to show signs of improving its inspections. As we have pointed out, the U.S. needs to understand the unique Korean culture in terms of consuming various beef cuts.
The Korean government has been somewhat secretive in partially resuming imports despite growing concerns over safety. Ordinary Korean citizens seem to welcome the imports of U.S. beef as they can have easier access to quality meat at reasonable prices. But what matters is safety. The U.S. should take measures to strengthen quarantine and sanitary checks on its exports to alleviate the Korean people's anxiety. Pressing the government to open the market without efforts to enhance safety will only exacerbate anti-American sentiment, which will deal a critical blow to U.S. beef exporters.