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Text of Letter by Senators Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Sam Brownback (R-KA) to USTR Robert Zoellick Calling for Resolution to Agricultural Trade Disputes with Mexico

November 3, 2003

The Honorable Robert B. Zoellick
United States Trade Representative
Executive Office of the President
Washington, D.C. 20508

Dear Ambassador Zoellick:

We write to share our displeasure with Mexico's refusal to live up to its commitments under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). We urge you to support a swift and permanent resolution to this situation.

Since the implementation of NAFTA in 1993, the United States and Mexico have seen the agricultural trade between the two countries more than double in value. In 1993, Mexico exported $2.7 billion worth of agricultural commodities into the United States. This year, it is expected that agricultural exports from Mexico to the United States will reach nearly $6 billion.

For the U.S., Mexico represents our fastest growing export market for agricultural commodities -- growing from $3.6 billion in 1993 to over $8 billion this year. However, during recent y ears Mexico has imposed a large and growing number of anti-dumping duties, strict and unreasonable inspection requirements, and unfair taxes on imports of U.s. agricultural goods. Beef, dry-edible beans, high fructose corn syrup, pork, poultry are a few of the U.S. agricultural commodities that have suffered as a result of Mexico's actions. While the dispute over high fructose corn syrup is a result of disagreement over the NAFTA side letter regarding sugar, we believe that it is critical that all of the disputes regarding agricultural trade with Mexico be resolved.

Agriculture has long been supportive of efforts to open new markets and expand free trade. However, we are concerned that unless we are able to resolve these serious trade disputes, agriculture's support for future trade agreements is tentative at best.

Again, we urge you to seek a comprehensive solution to this ongoing situation that continues to affect many sectors of U.S. agriculture. We thank you and stand in support of your efforts to address this difficult situation.

Sincerely,

Senator Pat Roberts
Senator Sam Brownback

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