Iowa delegation headed to Seattle for trade talks

A delegation of Iowans leaves today for the west coast where World Trade Organization talks begin tomorrow morning in Seattle, Washington. Senator Chuck Grassley says the talks hold a great deal at stake for Iowa’s economy and for the future of American agriculture.Grassley says the talks need to address inequities that hurt U-S farmers — things like the European Union’s farm subsidies and grossly uneven agricultural tariffs.Grassley says it’s unfortunate the President hadn’t been granted so-called Fast Track Trade Authority prior to these W-T-O talks starting. It would’ve allowed the President to negotiate trade deals directly, without having to go through Congress.Grassley says President Clinton has said he supports the Fast Track plan, but isn’t pushing even democrats to see it passed. Grassley thinks Clinton doesn’t truly want Fast Track enacted as it might hurt his Vice President’s chances of becoming President.The W-T-O talks beginning today feature representatives from 135 nations. Senator Tom Harkin, Governor Tom Vilsack, Iowa Ag Secretary Patty Judge and Congressmen Leonard Boswell, Tom Latham and Jim Nussle will be attending the W-T-O meeting, too.