Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN) Applauds President Obama's Commitment to Complete KORUS
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Text of speech:
Madam Speaker, I rise today to applaud President Obama for recently making an important commitment to completing a free trade agreement with South Korea.
Korea is the United States' seventh-largest trading partner in terms of two-way trade and the sixth-largest market for U.S. agricultural goods. A free trade agreement with Korea will grow business and create jobs here in the United States.
And, Madam Speaker, the time for action is now. The European Union has recently completed a trade agreement with South Korea, and Canada is working on one as well, while the United States has continued to sit on the sidelines. We cannot continue to let America fall behind by withholding approval for crucial trade agreements while other countries move quickly to finish their trade deals.
Exports mean jobs. A trade agreement with Korea is the right policy to boost our economy and boost exports. I stand ready to work with my colleagues and the President to pass a free trade agreement with Korea.
