October 28,2005

Grassley Says European Union’s Ag Trade Offer is Too Weak

M E M O R A N D U M

To: Reporters and Editors
Re: European Union’s agricultural tariffs offer
Da: Friday, Oct. 28, 2005

Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, made the following statement regarding the agricultural tariffs offer announced today by the European Union in the Doha Round negotiations of the World Trade Organization.

“On my initial reading, I’m disappointed with the European Union’s offer. I’d hoped the E.U.would have matched the United States’ leadership. Unfortunately, this proposal falls short. It doesn’t provide enough market access for American farmers. If this is the best offer the European Union can make, then it looks like the Doha Round might remain stalled. There’s still time, but not much. Before the Hong Kong ministerial, I hope to see a better proposal from the E.U. that will provide the type of agricultural market access needed to make this round a success.”