Hatch Statement on Ambassador Kirk's Testimony to Congress on Administration's Trade Agenda

U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), the Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement today after United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk testified before the House Ways and Means Committee today on the Administration’s trade agenda:

“The Administration testified before Congress saying it plans on intensifying its ‘engagement with Panama and Colombia’ to ensure our trade agreements with these two strategic partners move forward.  I urge the Administration to expeditiously follow through on this commitment. 

“The time for talk is over; now’s the time for immediate and meaningful action.  I hope and expect the Administration to make specific progress and provide a clear and reasonable timetable for moving both of these agreements forward in the coming weeks.   

“American exports to these markets have faced unfair barriers for far too long. Panama and Colombia agreed to open their markets to American exports years ago, but the President has not allowed the United States to benefit by moving these agreements forward. Our workers, entrepreneurs, farmers, and companies deserve better; they deserve fair and equal access to these growing markets for American products.”

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