Today, Members of the Congressional Pro-Trade Caucus, a bipartisan coalition dedicated to promoting trade as a tool to spur economic growth and job creation in the United States, hosted a trade policy briefing with Han Duk-soo, the Ambassador to the Republic of Korea. The meeting was attended by more than a dozen bipartisan members of Congress who advocated positive dialogue to promote the pending Free Trade Agreement between the United States and Korea, commonly known as KORUS.

Wednesday’s meeting was a first in a series between pro-trade Members of Congress and diplomatic officials representing Korea, Panama and Columbia. Members will continue to meet with organizations, businesses and government entities affected by trade. As an advocate for trade and representative to the nation’s largest inland trade port in Laredo, Texas, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) founded the Congressional Pro-Trade Caucus last year.

"Trade is vital part of America’s economic engine. Trade fuels growth, creates jobs and supports millions of American workers," said Congressman Cuellar. "It is time to level the playing field and expand our horizons by passing these pending Free Trade Agreements. This bipartisan trade coalition shows we’re gaining the political momentum to make that happen."

The bipartisan Congressional Pro-Trade Caucus (CPTC) is dedicated to repairing the trade dialogue and advancing an international trade policy that keeps the United States globally competitive. Since 2009, Congressman Cuellar and his colleagues have been in dialogue with the White House, business groups and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to discuss pending agreements.

The United States and the Republic of Korea signed the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) on June 30, 2007. If approved by Congress, the agreement would be the United States’ most commercially significant FTA in nearly two decades. Reports indicate that if approved, the KORUS FTA would increase the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by $10-$12 billion annually and nearly 95 percent of bilateral trade in consumer and industrial sectors would become duty free within three years of enactment.

During the trade meeting, members discussed with the Korean Ambassador how different industrial producers in their respective states and congressional districts would benefit by this agreement, in addition to pledging their support to pass the agreement in Congress. Members of the bipartisan Congressional Pro-Trade Caucus (several of whom attended Wednesday’s meeting) include:

Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX)

Congressman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)

Congressman Mike McCaul (R-TX)

Congressman Joseph Cao (R-LA)

Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA)

Congressman Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX)

Congressman Walt Minnick (D-ID)

Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA)

Congressman Randy Neugebauer (R-TX)

Congressman Pete Olson (R-TX)

Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz (D-TX)

Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL)

"This meeting was one of many steps we will take to gather the necessary votes to pass this FTA," said Congressman Cuellar. "In my home state of Texas, hard-working families rely on this partnership as Korea is the state’s fifth-largest trading partner. Last year, two-way trade between Texas and Korea was valued at over $5.3 billion, and increasingly Korea is a growing market for goods made in Texas. This is good for local jobs."

 

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Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the U.S. House Homeland Security, Agriculture, and Government Oversight & Reform Committees in the 111th Congress. Accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development, and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip and member of the Blue Dog Coalition.