Cord Byrd: “Mr. President, our United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Kantor, this morning announced a pair of initiatives…”

“Mr. President, our United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Kantor, this morning announced a pair of initiatives regarding our trade relations with Japan for which he is to be commended and which deserve the strong support of this body. With respect to the first initiative, Ambassador Kantor has announced a plan to impose trade sanctions under section 301 of the Trade Act, pursuant to an investigation into the Japanese auto parts aftermarket. On this issue, this body has already spoken decisively by agreeing to a resolution offered on yesterday by the two leaders and myself, and the vote was 88-8. The Senate, thereby, decisively supports the imposition of such sanctions, given the complete unwillingness of the Japanese to address their market closing practices which block access of the United States parts to Japanese consumers. This has resulted in persistent, large trade deficits which are unfair to our industries and cost tens of thousands of jobs every day. The Trade Representative is on solid ground to publish a proposed retaliation list under section 301.”