11 



STATEMENT OF 

 THE HONORABLE TOM LEWIS 



MARCH 17, 1993 



Ambassador Kantor, I appreciate your being with us here this 

 morning to discuss two very important issues to the Committee. 



I am pleased that President Clinton has recognized the need to take 

 significant additional steps through side agreements to enhance the 

 current North American Free Trade Agreement. 



As you are well aware, I and most of my colleagues from the Florida 

 Congressional delegation are deeply concerned about the impact of 

 the North American Free Trade Agreement on Florida's $6.2 billion 

 agriculture industry, the second largest in the State. 



The Administration's consideration of environmental, labor and 

 import surge side agreements to NAFTA presents a window of 

 opportunity to address our concerns. We are hopeful that we will 

 have the opportunity to work to obtain the necessary changes to 

 make NAFTA work for Florida. 



Make no mistake, I believe NAFTA has potential long-term benefit to 

 the United States. A 360 million consumer trading bloc and $6 

 trillion market cannot be ignored. However, just as apparent is 

 the short-term expense of NAFTA borne in large part by Florida 

 agriculture. 



These losses are clearly documented beginning with the 1991 

 International Trade Commission Report. ITC found that Mexican 

 producers are able to supply the U.S. market with many of the same 

 horticultural products grown and processed in the United States at 

 a much lower cost. The report also found that U.S. citrus and 

 winter vegetable growers can expect to experience losses in 

 production. 



Florida is responsible for providing more than one half of our 

 nation's fruit, vegetable, citrus and cane sugar during winter 

 months. In my view it is not unreasonable to insist that NAFTA 

 contain proper safeguards to guarantee fair competition between 

 Mexico and the United States. 



I am hopeful we can address some of these concerns this morning. 

 Again, Ambassador Kantor, welcome to the Committee. 



