US to Conclude FTA Talks by March 
Top trade negotiators of Korea and the United States on Monday said that they can settle their differences so as to complete their discussions for a free trade agreement (FTA) as scheduled, although the two sides are still poles apart in key areas.
After the first day of talks at the Shilla Hotel, Kim Jong-hoon, chief of the Korean negotiating team, said, ``Despite stalemates in sectors such as anti-dumping and pharmaceuticals, Korea and the U.S. confirmed each other's strong willingness to reach a final agreement.''
He said, ``Though there was official rejection from the U.S., we will continue to demand the U.S. revise laws in the anti-dumping sector to benefit Korean exporters.''
Earlier in the day, Wendy Cutler, Kim's U.S. counterpart, said, ``Through my discussions with Mr. Kim, I've remained encouraged and optimistic that we can do this (meeting the deadline by the end of March).''
She said, ``We can achieve a successful Korea-U.S. FTA under the current trade promotion authority (held by President Bush).''
The Bush administration is struggling to sign an FTA with Korea before July 1, when the trade promotion authority (TPA) that U.S. Congress has granted the Bush administration runs out. The bilateral talks should be wrapped up at least three months before the signing.
Korea and the U.S. are getting more serious over U.S. anti-dumping duties on Korean exporters and Korea's importation of American beef at the Seoul talks.
Regarding Seoul's refusal to allow imports of U.S. beef that contain bone fragments, Cutler said the two countries will discuss the matter and take into consideration Koreans' health concerns.
Cutler suggested that the U.S. is ready to make some concessions to Korea's primary demand _ easing anti-dumping duties on Korean companies.
# The Korea Times [January 16, 2007]By Kim Yon-se
Staff Reporter
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