July 21,2009

Press Contact:

Jill Kozeny, 202/224-1308

Jill Gerber, 202/224-6522

Grassley to White House: Re-affirm Trade Agency’s Primacy, Press China to Accept U.S. Pork, Beef

WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today urged the White House to re- affirm the primary role of the United States Trade Representative’s Office in representing U.S. trade interests and to press China to accept U.S. pork and beef based on sound science and trade rules.

Grassley is ranking member of the Committee on Finance, with jurisdiction over international trade. In a letter to President Obama, Grassley expressed concern that agencies including the State Department may be seeking to displace the United States Trade Representative’s Office on trade matters, contrary to a congressionally established functional division more than 45 years ago.

Grassley also urged Administration officials, when meeting with a visiting delegation from China next week as part of the Strategic and Economic Dialogue, to raise the issue of China’s continued barriers to exports of U.S. pork and beef. “These scientifically unfounded barriers negatively impact producers in my home state of Iowa,” Grassley wrote.

The text of Grassley’s letter to the President is attached in the Printer-Friendly version.

WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today urged the White House to re- affirm the primary role of the United States Trade Representative’s Office in representing U.S. trade interests and to press China to accept U.S. pork and beef based on sound science and trade rules.

Grassley is ranking member of the Committee on Finance, with jurisdiction over international trade. In a letter to President Obama, Grassley expressed concern that agencies including the State Department may be seeking to displace the United States Trade Representative’s Office on trade matters, contrary to a congressionally established functional division more than 45 years ago.

Grassley also urged Administration officials, when meeting with a visiting delegation from China next week as part of the Strategic and Economic Dialogue, to raise the issue of China’s continued barriers to exports of U.S. pork and beef. “These scientifically unfounded barriers negatively impact producers in my home state of Iowa,” Grassley wrote.

The text of Grassley’s letter to the President is attached in the Printer-Friendly version.

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