Associated Press | By MIKE GLOVER, Associated Press Writer | August 13, 2001
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Protesters seeking to disrupt world trade negotiations won't win the political struggle in developing countries eager for outside help to fight hunger and improve living conditions, the nation's top trade official said Monday.
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick said his top goal is to reconvene talks aimed at a global easing of trade restrictions, and he won't be deterred by often-violent protests.
"The best choice for America's farmers is in global trade negotiations," Zoellick said at a news conference.
Protests have dogged each of the recent trade summits, with activists claiming that free markets exploit poor and developing countries.
Zoellick said trade advocates are winning the political debate by arguing that trade can help developing countries raise their living standards.
"The countries that open their markets grow more," he said. "I don't find a lot of sympathy in developing countries for these protesters."
Zoellick also said the United States will continue to lobby for genetically modified crops to be allowed into the European market, a key sticking point between otherwise strong trade allies.
Resistance in Europe is understandable because those countries have suffered through Mad Cow disease and other agriculture disasters that make consumers -- and governments -- leery of changes in farming, Zoellick said.
"People in Europe are scared," he said. "They need to solve these problems on their own and not saddle us."
While Zoellick is part of the international debate over trade issues, he came to friendly territory on Monday. He joined Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, at the Iowa State Fair to open Grassley's annual "Ambassador's Tour" around the state.
Each year, Grassley takes embassy officials from Washington on a tour of Iowa to tout trade opportunities in the state. This year's version of the trade tour -- launched with lunch at the State Fair -- includes representatives from 52 countries.Associated Press:
