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16 February 2000

Text: Glickman Says China's WTO Entry to Boost U.S. Exports

(Export increases seen in oilseeds, cotton, grains) (490)
The accession of China in the World Trade Organization (WTO) would
generate at least $2,000 million annually in additional U.S.
agricultural exports by 2005, says U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan
Glickman.
In a speech to the Commodity Club of Washington February 15, Glickman
said the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates the greatest
export gains would be in grains, oilseeds and related products, and
cotton. At the same time, he said, tariffs would be reduced for
poultry, pork, beef, citrus, other fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and
forest and fish products.
China has sought accession into the 135-member WTO for more than 13
years. Chinese officials signed a long-awaited agreement with the
United States in November aimed at boosting trade and reducing
tariffs.
In return, the Clinton administration is seeking permanent normal
trade relations (NTR) status for China from Congress, which is
expected to vote on the trade status in June or July.
Following are terms and acronyms used in the text:
-- billion: 1,000 million.
-- GDP: gross domestic product.
-- USDA: U.S. Department of Agriculture.
(begin text)
[U.S. Department of Agriculture
Washington, D.C.
February 15, 2000]
CHINA'S WTO ACCESSION TO SIGNIFICANTLY BOOST U.S. AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS
Washington -- China's participation in the World Trade Organization
will result in at least $2 billion per year in additional U.S.
agricultural exports by 2005, Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman
announced today.
"A gain of $2 billion each year in expanded exports to China would be
welcome news to American farmers and the struggling U.S. farm economy,
which relies heavily on overseas markets," Glickman said, in remarks
to the Commodity Club of Washington.
According to new USDA estimates, China's WTO accession would result in
$1.6 billion annually in additional U.S. exports of grains, oilseeds
and related products, and cotton by 2005.
Tariffs would also be reduced significantly for other products, such
as poultry, pork, beef, citrus, other fruits, vegetables, tree nuts,
and forest and fish products. This could result in an additional
$350-450 million in U.S. export growth, bringing the total gain to
about $2 billion annually by 2005.
"In order to realize these gains, we will be vigilant to ensure that
China lives up to its WTO commitments, effectively administers tariff
rate quotas, eliminates discriminatory licensing, and fully implements
last April's Agricultural Cooperation Agreement reducing phytosanitary
barriers for citrus, wheat, and meat," Glickman said.
Agricultural exports to China could be even higher in 2005 than this
nearly $2 billion annual estimate, Glickman said. China's projected
7-percent annual GDP growth will likely increase demand for many other
products not included in the estimate, including dairy products such
as cheese, snack foods, grocery items, wine, beef, distilled spirits,
and tobacco.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Website: usinfo.state.gov)