Mr. President, I rise today to express my deep concern with the tuna provision in the Andean Trade Preferences Expansion Act (ATPEA) portion of the Trade Act of 2002. The purpose of ATPEA is to encourage economic opportunities other than drug production and trade in Andean nations. Previously, canned tuna has not been included in the list of items given preferential tariff treatment. The provision included in the Trade Act would authorize the President to extend duty-free treatment to a specified level of imports of canned tuna from Andean nations.

The Philippines, an important ally in the war on terrorism, is likely to be harmed economically by the unintended consequences of this action. The canneries and most of the tuna fishing fleet of the Philippines are based on the island of Mindanao. The tuna industry directly accounts for 45,000 jobs on Mindanao and approximately 105,000 people are employed in supporting industries. These jobs are being risked by the Andean Trade Preferences Act.

It is also important to note that the Abu Sayyaf, which is believed to be linked to the al-Qaeda terrorist network, operates in the Mindanao region. The Abu Sayyaf organization has been responsible for kidnapings, executions, and bombings. U.S. Armed Forces are assisting the Philippines in combating the terrorist group. Providing preferential tariff treatment to tuna from Andean nations has the possibility of destabilizing a region in which we have U.S. troops involved in anti-terrorism operations.

It is my hope that the conferees can effectively address this important national security issue and prevent economic disruption in a region where a war on terrorism is being fought.

The tuna tariffs reveal a need for enhanced coordination of trade preferences. A thoughtful strategy of balancing trade preferences must be developed to prevent future policy inconsistencies in the future.

Thank you, Mr. President.