January 18, 2007

US senators issue ultimatum to South Korea over beef row
 

US senators warned South Korea that they would not back any free trade plan being negotiated with the Asian ally unless it lifts a ban on US beef imports.

The ultimatum was given at a meeting between a dozen senior senators and the South Korean envoy to Washington even as negotiators from the two countries held crucial talks in Seoul in a race against time to forge a free trade pact.

Democratic senator Max Baucus, who hails from Montana, a major beef producing state in the US said he would not support an agreement that does not open South Korea's market to Montana's beef exports, whether boneless or bone-in, and regardless of age.

Republican Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa, another beef producing state expressed similar views.

The beef row has only widened in the sixth round of negotiations in Seoul this week, aimed at forging an FTA between the two nations.