Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: SUNDAY, November 7, 1993 TAG: 9311070169 SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C5 EDITION: METRO SOURCE: ADRIENNE PETTY STAFF WRITER DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
After weighing both sides of the issue and consulting industries in the 6th District, Goodlatte said, it became obvious he should support the proposed trade treaty, which would eliminate tariffs among Canada, Mexico and the United States.
"NAFTA will level the playing field for U.S. companies who are currently at a disadvantage because of Mexican tariffs and quotas," Goodlatte said. "NAFTA goes a long way toward doing that."
The district, which Goodlatte said is the top exporting district in Virginia, includes large producers of agricultural, forest and transportation products. He noted that Ingersoll-Rand Co. exports 10 percent of its products to Mexico.
"Right now, Mexican tariffs on American goods flowing south of the border are on average 2 1/2 times higher than on Mexican goods flowing north," Goodlatte said. "NAFTA would tear down these barriers and allow U.S.-made goods equal access to the growing Mexican market."
Goodlatte's announcement comes almost two weeks after Rep. L.F. Payne, D-Nelson County, announced his support of NAFTA and one day after Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, announced his opposition to the treaty.
The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote Nov. 17 on NAFTA.
"I think it will be a close vote," Goodlatte said. "But there are still a fair number of people undecided."
by CNB