WASHINGTON, DC – At a hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance regarding the 2007 Trade Agenda, U.S. Senator Pat Roberts today called for renewed Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and discussed other important trade issues with the U.S. Trade Representative, Susan Schwab.

"International trade is a vital and necessary component in the Kansas economy," Senator Roberts said. "Kansas exports in 2005 were $6.72 billion dollars. As a strong supporter of free and fair trade, I am pleased with the President’s call to renew trade promotion authority. By opening markets and tearing down trade barriers to our products and services, we can expand opportunities for exporters and better compete in the global market place. "

TPA is an important tool by which Congress grants the president the authority to negotiate trade agreements with on behalf of the United States in consultation with the relevant congressional committees.

Senator Roberts also thanked Ambassador Schwab for aggressively pursuing the Airbus aviation case before the World Trade Organize Dispute Settlement Panel, while also pressing for a negotiated settlement with the EU.

Roberts went on to say, "As a member of both the Finance Committee and the Agriculture Committee, I wear two hats. However, one issue that falls under the jurisdiction of both committees is the resumption of U.S. beef trade to those countries that were previously our largest markets for U.S. beef. Resuming trade with Korea and expanding trade with Japan is critical to the state economy. I cannot over emphasize how important getting beef back into these limited or closed markets is to the Kansas beef industry. We cannot let false barriers and fake science keep us from these important foreign markets."