June 16,2003

Grassley Praises Decision on U.S. Beef Imports to Mexico

M E M O R A N D U M

To: Reporters and Editors
Re: Decision on Mexican trade
Da: Monday, June 16, 2003

Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, made the following commenton the decision of the U.S. Trade Representative to request World Trade Organization consultationson Mexico’s antidumping order on U.S. beef.

“I’m pleased with the decision of the U.S. Trade Representative to request WTOconsultations regarding Mexico’s antidumping order on U.S. beef. Unfortunately, Mexico in recentyears has developed a habit of not fully complying with its international trade obligations when itcomes to agricultural imports from the United States. For the benefit of producers and consumerson both sides of the border, this practice must stop. WTO consultations are a first step in bringingMexico back in line with its trade obligations.

“I encourage the Administration to act with similar resolve in working to remove Mexico’sbarriers, and proposed barriers, to imports of other U.S. agricultural products. Iowa’s producers ofhigh fructose corn syrup, pork, and white corn shouldn’t foot the bill when Mexico fails to fulfill itsinternational trade commitments.”