17 



So, in conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I am obligated to take a macro 

 view of this agreement. In my considered opinion, this is a win-win 

 for U.S. agriculture. If we don't pass it, as has been said before, 

 we will have trouble with our reserves, we will have trouble with 

 our supply management system, we will have trouble, in my opin- 

 ion, with the resulting increased food prices with regard to that. 

 We will have trouble if we don't pass this by Mexico perhaps in a 

 counteractive way reestablishing increasing barriers and nontariff 

 barriers. We will have trouble with our competitors from the Pa- 

 cific Rim and the EC swooping in to take advantage of markets 

 which I believe are rightfully ours. 



Thank you. 



The Chairman. Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary. 



Ambassador Kantor, I know that nobody has worked harder than 

 you have on this subject, not only going around this country but 

 around the world. I hope your back is healed. You gave a number 

 of your friends, myself included, a great deal of concern when you 

 had that fall. I am sure from your mind it was bad enough, but 

 it could have been, as you know, a lot worse. 



Ambassador Kantor. It could have been. I could have had an- 

 other hearing before the Senator Finance Committee. [Laughter.] 



The Chairman. Knowing the number of Finance Committee 

 members that are around here, you probably think you are, any- 

 way. 



Ambassador Kantor. I am sure they are tired of seeing my face, 

 Mr. Chairman. 



The Chairman. We took a poll, and it was unanimous. They 

 wanted you back to hit you from a different angle, I guess. But I 

 am glad you are okay because I did worry about you. 



Ambassador KANTOR. Thank you. That is very nice. 



The Chairman. I had called your office during that time, and 

 they assured me you were coming along well, and I am glad to see 

 you looking so well. 



Ambassador Kantor. Thank you very much. I appreciate that. I 

 understand the vote on my getting well among the Finance Com- 

 mittee members on your committee was 4 to 3. I am happy to win 

 that one. [Laughter.] 



STATEMENT OF HON. MICHAEL KANTOR, UNITED STATES 

 TRADE REPRESENTATIVE, WASHINGTON, DC 



Ambassador Kantor. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the oppor- 

 tunity to be here. First, let rne follow the example of my colleague, 

 Secretary Espy, and the example of my adopted Senator, Senator 

 Pryor. I lived on Beechwood Drive in Little Rock for a number of 

 interesting months in 1992, and so 



Senator Pryor. Did you register to vote there? [Laughter.] 



The Chairman. Before you answer 



Ambassador Kantor. Senator, I tried and I tried, and they 

 wouldn't let me do that. 



The Chairman [continuing]. Before you answer that, I remember 

 while campaigning in Vermont running into you at the Rutland 

 County Fair, and I was ready to register you there, too. So if you 

 registered in more than one place, please don't say anything about 

 it. 



