WASHINGTON – support builds an obstacle for the passage in the Senate for the revised free trade pact with South Korea, despite opposition from a key could be Democrat.
The breakthrough for the deal has last week between top trade officials from the two countries won wide praise by Republicans as well as by some influential Democrats.
But Senator Max Baucus (D., Mont), Chairman of the Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over trade, said he is "deeply disappointed" with the deal and judgment is set reserve, by further progress achieved, to open up Korea market U.S. beef. The revised Pact contains new protections for U.S. automakers, but not the original 2007 Pact significantly change, when it comes to beef.
Senator Orrin Hatch (R., Utah) as that will take ranking Republican on the Finance Committee next year, expressed reservations about some aspects of the transaction, but said he would support its passage. He shares the concerns about South Korea's restrictions on the import of U.S. beef cattle, the older than 30 months, since the accounts of beef for almost half of Maryland Agriculture sales.
Mr. hatch Tuesday said "Of course I like more beef had done". "But I think, what the President has done is a step in the right direction on Korea."
Senator Chuck Grassley R. Iowa, who its position as the ranking member of the Finance Committee of the top Republican on Judiciary Committee of the to be, said the deal was "long overdue."
Mr. Grassley and most other Republicans of Committee call for passage of all three trade left by the Bush administration including pacts with Colombia and Panama, which in early 2007 signed signed a letter in June.
But not all Republicans in the Committee have support Senator Olympia Snowe (R., Maine.) on Tuesday to say needed, look at details of the changes before you decide, get their vote.
Statements of support from two Democratic members of the Committee, Sens. John Kerry of Massachusetts, and Maria Cantwell of Washington, suggest that the Bill should be able to move the full Senate once is presented.
Usually pacts free trade find tougher reception in the more populist House than in the Senate. But to win passage by the Senate in democratic hands could be difficult, when Mr Baucus decides to oppose the deal.
The Korean Pact was negotiated during the Bush administration fast track authority was still in effect, Congress 90 days would perform an up-or-down vote. But it must move by the competent committees including the Senate Finance.
In his statement Friday Mr Kerry asks to press management for better access for beef and veal, as the process continues. President Barack Obama said on Saturday he would continue to work to ensure full access.
Christopher Wenk, senior director of international policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said Mr Baucus aboard is 'very important' winning passage of a deal.
His organization plans to start pushing for support on the Hill at the beginning of the year, even though he would predict the entire process take.
"We push hard on an agreement which have done in the first quarter, but of course there are a lot of ducks in a row," said Mr Wenk.
Senator Joe Lieberman (I, CT) said he expects the Senate to pass the agreement.
He said there will be people on both sides support it for various reasons, but I think that there are enough bipartisan support, the agreement to "ratify" reporters.
-By Tom Barkley tom.barkley@dowjones.com
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