Washington wishes to hold high-level FTA agriculture talks
Arirang News | 13 December 2006
Washington Wishes to Hold High-Level FTA Agriculture Talks
Washington hopes to hold high-level talks above the ministerial level on freeing up the agricultural markets in Korea and the U.S. before holding the sixth round of free trade agreement negotiations.
Meeting with reporters, Korea’s top negotiator to the FTA’s agriculture talks, Bae Jong-ha, said Seoul is considering Washington’s request of holding such prior discussions. He also said Korea maintains that rice is not up for market opening and that the FTA talks could break down if the U.S. pushes its demand for greater access to the market.
Regarding Korea’s import of U.S. beef, the official said it was not an issue to be dealt with under the free trade talks, but should be discussed among quarantine specialists.
