Richard Burr: “current agricultural trade between the United States and the region can be a one-way street. That street is often closed…”

“current agricultural trade between the United States and the region can be a one-way street. That street is often closed to our farmers by regional barriers. CAFTA will remove those barriers, increasing access for U.S. farmers. With exports accounting for 20 percent of North Carolina's farm cash receipts, almost $1.5 billion, my State's farmers stand to make tremendous gains in Central American markets. The key to making this trade agreement an economic success for North Carolina, though, is enforcement. I am a proponent of free trade, but I am an even bigger proponent of fair trade. The rules must be enforced. I intend to make sure that neither this Nation nor our partner countries turn a blind eye to the provisions set out and the assurances made in CAFTA. Several of my colleagues have come down to the Senate floor to express their concerns with China. Let me be specific. I have concerns about China, too. I voted against normal trade relations status for China eight times as a Member of the other body. Hindering our Nation's trade with other nations to get back at China is not the answer. Enforcing our laws and enforcing the provisions of the trade agreement with China is the answer to China. If I held up a chart today and suggested that chart listed every time China had voluntarily broken our trade agreements, it would be blank. If we want trade to work, we as a country have to enforce the agreements we have with our partners.…”