Legislators are urging the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to consult with Congress regarding United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) dialogue.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch
(R-UT) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) joined House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-MA) in composing correspondence to USTR Robert Lighthizer. Officials said the letter stemmed from Lighthizer’s request to convene a meeting of the KORUS Joint Committee.
“We write to urge you to consult closely with Congress before meeting with Korea and throughout your discussions on these matters, in accordance with U.S. law and longstanding practice,” the legislators wrote. “Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of adhering to the requirements established in the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015.”
The letter referenced the U.S. trade agreement with South Korea as a cornerstone of the nation’s economic and strategic engagement in the Asia-Pacific region while noting preserving and strengthening the economic relationship between the United States and South Korea is important with rising tensions on the Korean peninsula.
“Accordingly, for the proposed special session of the Joint Committee to be successful, the Administration must consult closely with the Chairs and Ranking Members of the committees of jurisdiction, and Congress more broadly, throughout the process,” the legislators wrote. “By statute, the U.S. Trade Representative is to report directly to the Congress and be responsible to the Congress for the administration of trade agreement programs. U.S. law and longstanding practice establishes detailed and specific Congressional consultation requirements in the context of trade agreements.”