“Minister Moeller has indicated that he would like to discuss topics of importance, including those related to the canned tuna provision in the Andean Trade Expansion Act,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “I am pleased that Minister Moeller, on behalf of the government of Ecuador, is making a good-faith effort to discuss this most serious matter.  I am also hopeful that our discussions will be productive.”

     “As I have previously stated, American Samoa’s economy is more than 80% dependent, either directly or indirectly, on the tuna fishing and processing industries.  Although I realize American Samoa cannot protect itself indefinitely from foreign competition, I believe American Samoa should be treated fairly and equitably in all matters governing U.S. trade policy,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.

     “The fact of the matter is if Ecuador and other Andean countries are allowed to export duty-free canned tuna into the United States, American Samoa will suffer.  We will suffer unemployment and we will suffer insurmountable financial problems,” the Congressman said.  “A fair compromise must be reached.”

     “As a member of the House International Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, I continue to be deeply committed to curbing drug production in Latin America,” Faleomavaega said.  “The Andean Trade Preference Act was enacted to curb drug production and I support the intent of the Andean Trade Agreement.  However, as the Ranking Member of the House International Relations Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, I believe that the concerns of our Southeast Asian friends must also be taken into consideration.”

     “Vietnam, Lao PDR, Brunei, Malaysia, Cambodia, the Union of Myanmar, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand support American Samoa’s position.  These countries are opposed to the U.S. granting preferential trade status to the Andean countries at the expense of the U.S. and ASEAN tuna industries.  As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations points out, granting duty-free trade benefits to one region at the expense of another could be seen by developing countries as a discriminatory trade practice,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “Clearly, there must be fairness and equity in the process of trade.”
 
     “As it is, Ecuador imposes a 20% duty on canned tuna from the U.S. yet insists that the U.S. should not impose any duty on canned tuna from Ecuador.  Is this reasonable?  Is this fair?  Absolutely not,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.

     “I have brought these matters to the attention of the Secretary of Interior, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Commerce, and the U.S. Trade Representative.  I have also shared my concerns with every member of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee and every member of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee,” Faleomavaega said.  “I am confident that members of the House and Senate, both Republican and Democrat, continue to be sympathetic to our cause.”

     “Our cause is just.  The good people of American Samoa are truly looking for a way to expand opportunities for the Andean countries and ensure the continued viability of the U.S. tuna fishing and processing industries,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “I am hopeful that the government of Ecuador is also looking for a way to reach out to the people of American Samoa.”

     “I look forward to meeting Minister Moeller on January 22, 2002 in my Washington office and I am hopeful that our dialogue on this important trade matter will be both productive and beneficial,” Congressman Faleomavaega concluded.