Thomas Daschle: “I have long supported initiatives to expand foreign markets for American goods. Trade liberalizing agreements with other…”

“I have long supported initiatives to expand foreign markets for American goods. Trade liberalizing agreements with other countries, if negotiated correctly, can benefit American farmers, ranchers and manufacturers. Likewise, strengthening economic ties with these countries can advance our foreign policy interests. The agreements pending before us today, the Chilean and Singaporean Free Trade Agreements, fit both of these criteria, and I intend to support them both. The agreement with Singapore, our twelfth largest trading partner, is the first such FTA with an Asian nation. Singapore is a long-standing ally in this vitally important region and has worked closely with the United States in the war against terrorism. Currently, for instance, Singapore is building an aircraft carrier pier at its port, the largest in the world, specifically for U.S. vessels. Under this agreement, Singapore will eliminate duties on all U.S. products and broadly open its service sector across a wide range of industries. These and other commitments, such as strong protection of intellectual property rights, will benefit American investors and exporters. With regard to Chile, I am pleased that after years of much anticipation this agreement is finally complete.”