The Hankyoreh, Seoul
Washington not trying to re-negotiate U.S.- S. Korea FTA: Cutler
1 June 2007
Yonhap News, Washington -- A senior U.S. trade official said Friday that putting Washington's new trade policies into a tentatively-reached free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea does not constitute "re-negotiations."
South Korea and the United States concluded FTA negotiations on April 1 and are now doing what is called a "legal scrub" of the draft text. The two countries' presidents would have to sign the final text and send it to their legislatures for approval.
Controversy has erupted after the U.S. is moving to "renegotiate" some parts of the tentative agreement to reflect its new labor and environmental policies. South Korean officials have voiced opposition to the U.S. moves.
"What we are looking to do is to clarify and add" the provisions agreed between the U.S. administration and the Congress," said Wendy Cutler, assistant U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) who headed her country's delegation in FTA talks with South Korea.
"We are not seeking a re-negotiation. We are not seeking in any way to alter the balance of the agreement."
Cutler reaffirmed that under U.S. law, the signing of the agreement will have to take place by June 30. The date, however, mounts pressure on South Korea, with Washington not yet formally clarifying what kind of changes it wants.
U.S. Democrats took control of the Congress in November's election and are seeking policy changes that include strengthened labor and environmental standards.
The FTA draft text was made public last week, inviting reactions mixed with criticism and support.
There is a temptation to single out a provision and criticize, Cutler said, "We urge people not to do this."
The proposed agreement should be judged in its entirety, and how well it meets the wanted objectives, she said.
The U.S., for instance, wanted increased market access, economic engagement in Asia and strengthened alliance with South Korea, while the Seoul side wanted to attract more foreign investment and become an economic hub for the Asian region, Cutler said.
"It's too early to say that all of these objectives have been met, but it's clear that the FTA puts both countries on a solid path to achieving these objectives," she said.
