The Wall Street Journal / By DAVID ROGERS, Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
WASHINGTON -- Bananas and beef are stowaways on a bill before Congress to promote trade with Africa in textiles and apparel.
The Africa bill was amended to require the U.S. Trade Representative's office to impose stiff duties against a changing list of European goods until the European Union complies with World Trade Organization rulings to open its market. The goal is to pressure the EU to open its doors to beef and banana imports.
The odd mix of interests has the blessing of top Republicans and reflects a campaign by farm and cattle lobbies, as well as Carl Lindner, whose business empire includes Chiquita Brands International Inc. The American Farm Bureau Federation has taken the lead in pushing the package, but Mr. Lindner is a force unto himself. He has given large sums to both parties and retains Washington lobbyists including Tony Podesta, a friend of House Speaker Dennis Hastert and brother of White House Chief of Staff John Podesta.
In the banana war, the Clinton administration a year ago imposed duties on about nine targeted items, with the WTO's blessing. Last July, penalties were imposed on about two dozen more items to help the cattle industry fight the EU's refusal to import U.S. hormone-treated beef. Since then, neither side has eased its stance.
Critics say that by targeting a fixed list of European goods, the trade representative makes it easy for the EU to hold out by providing aid for affected companies. If the target list is reviewed and changed every six months, pressure on the EU will intensify, the plan's supporters say.
Behind the effort is Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, whose home state of Mississippi has a major stake in the port traffic in the banana trade. Together with Sen. Mike DeWine, an Ohio Republican, Mr. Lott attached the so-called carousel provision to the Senate's version of the trade measure last November. There was little or no debate at the time, but the issue has resurfaced now as the Clinton administration and Senate leaders press to complete action on the Africa bill and companion legislation related to Caribbean trade.
Staff negotiators say no final deal has been reached on the carousel provision but agree Mr. Lott won a "thumbs-up" sign from Mr. Hastert in a bargaining session earlier this month. "I did not talk to Denny about this or to anyone on his staff," said Mr. Podesta, and the speaker's office said he had had no recent conversations with Mr. Lindner on the matter. "It's not a silver bullet, but it's very important to Chiquita," said Republican Rep. Ron Portman, whose Ohio district includes the company's Cincinnati headquarters.:
