Smith Continues Pushing Pending Trade Agreements

March 31, 2011 WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) yesterday participated in a hearing about the pending trade agreement with Panama. This hearing was the second of three hosted by the Subcommittee on Trade of the Ways and Means Committee about pending trade agreements. "Opening new markets is the best way to create American jobs and boost economic growth," Smith said. "We cannot sit idly by as Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers lose opportunities while Panama actively finalizes trade agreements with our international competitors. To get back on a competitive playing field the first step is to pass all three pending trade agreements – Colombia, Panama, and South Korea." The American Farm Bureau estimates U.S. farm exports to Panama could increase by more than $195 million annually under the agreement. Earlier this week, Smith met with Mario E. Jaramillo, newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to the U.S., to discuss the importance of this pending trade agreement. Smith serves on the Committee on Ways and Means, which has jurisdiction over trade agreements. The Committee on Ways and Means continues to press for the pending agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea to be considered by July 1, 2011.