U.S., South Korea agree trade deal
POSTED: 1110 GMT (1910 HKT), April 2, 2007
Story Highlights
• U.S.-South Korea deal could increase trade between countries by 20 percent
• Deal must still be approved by Congress and South Korean National Assembly
• Agreement follows 10 months of negotiations
SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) -- The United States and South Korea reached agreement on a bilateral trade deal that could increase trade between the two countries by 20 percent.
The agreement, which must still be approved by the U.S. Congress and South Korea's National Assembly, was the result of 10 months of negotiations. Negotiators worked day and night over the last week to reach agreement.
The White House released a letter early Monday from President Bush officially notifying Congress that he intended to sign the agreement.
"The United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement will generate export opportunities for U.S. farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and service suppliers, promote economic growth and the creation of better paying jobs in the United States, and help American consumers save money while offering them greater choices," President Bush wrote.
"The Agreement will also further enhance the strong United States-Korea partnership, which has served as a force for stability and prosperity in Asia."
South Korean farmers and laborers, worried their jobs would be threatened by an agreement, took to the streets of the South Korean capital in the last week to protest against the possible deal.
South Korean cattle farmers are especially concerned since the deal would phase out 40 percent restrictive tariffs on U.S. beef imports into South Korea.
The lead negotiator for South Korea said the agreement opens a new era of trade between the U.S. and South Korea with the eventual removal of almost all trade restrictions.
South Korea leaders hope this will boost their country's competitiveness in the global market as it competes against larger Asian neighbors China and Japan.
-- CNN's Sohn Jie-ae contributed to this report.
한미자유무역협정에 관한 CNN뉴스내용이다.
그리고 "US Today"나 "Wasington Post"등 다른 뉴스지에서는 별 크게 다루지 않고 있는데, 느낌이라면 이제 기초적인 협상정도로 생각하고 있는 것이다. 완전 타결이 아니라 첫 단추에 불과하다는 것이다.
우리의 시각은 온통 벌써 모든게 확정된 것처럼 난리다. 그러나 사실 우리 산업에서 중요하지 않은 산업이 어디있겠는가. 올것이 온 것이고 미국과 대등하게 맞설 수 있다는 자신감도 얻었고, 그 큰 시장에 점 더 잘 접근 할 수 있다는 희망이 있다.
그 준비는 정부가 하는 부분도 있겠지만 이제부터는 기업의 몫이다. 준비하는 자만이 적응할 수 있을 것이다.