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Text of Congressional Letter to
Ambassador Zoellick Regarding Mexico's Inaction on Sweetener Dispute
November 12, 2003
The Honorable Robert B. Zoellick
United States Trade Representative
Executive Office of the President
Washington, D.C. 20508
Dear Ambassador Zoellick:
We are deeply
concerned that this year is drawing to a close and a solution to the sweetener
dispute with Mexico continues to elude our corn growers and refiners. While we
understand that private sector talks are underway in an effort to find a
mutually acceptable proposal to resolve this impasse for the respective
governments to negotiate, under no circumstances should this dispute be allowed
to lapse into another calendar year.
As you know, the
growers and refiners in our state(s) have experienced significant damages as a
result of this dispute. Hundreds of millions of dollars of investment in
operations in Mexico and lost production and export opportunities have taken
their toll on our corn industry. This is an unacceptable outcome from a trade
agreement that held great promise for this sector.
We urge you to take
immediate steps to negotiate a meaningful solution for the U.S. corn industry
with the Mexican government. We agree with our Congressional colleagues that
the U.S. government should seek to rebalance concessions under the NAFTA to make
our corn industry whole, including through retaliatory measures if necessary.
We look forward to
working with you and your staff to find an acceptable outcome to this
longstanding dispute.
Sincerely,
Congressman Ray LaHood (R-IL)
Congressman Tim Johnson (R-IL)
Congressman Lane Evans (D-IL)
Congressman Earl Pomeroy (D-ND)
Congressman John Boehner (R-OH)
Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL)
Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL)
Congressman Jerry Moran (R-KS)
Congressman Lee Terry (R-NE)
Congressman Steve King (R-IA)
Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL)
Congressman Ken Hulshof (R-MO)
Congressman Jim Nussle (R-IA)
Congressman Jim Ramstad (R-MN)
Congressman Sam Graves (D-MO)
Congressman Dave Camp (R-MI)
Congressman Gil Gutknecht (R-MN)
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