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Impact: Alliance

SKFTA key to strengthen U.S.-South Korea alliance – leads to regional and global security

SKFTA key to tying the US to Korea and boosting both economies

SEOUL — US exporters could lose ground to European competitors unless Congress quickly ratifies a free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea, according to US ambassador Kathleen Stephens. Answering a question, she expressed concern about the disadvantage US businesses could face when an FTA between South Korea and the European Union -- the most ambitious trade accord the EU has negotiated -- takes effect in July. "Yes, I'm concerned about the disadvantage that American businesses will be at if there is a EU-Korea FTA and we are too slow in ratifying and implementing the Korea-US FTA," she told journalists. A US trade deal with South Korea "will bind our alliance, make us even closer and anchor the US economy to this dynamic region", she said, adding it would also create substantial export opportunities and support tens of thousands of new jobs in both countries. But the biggest boon would be the "dynamic gains" that come from innovation and building linkages between the two economies and from healthy competition, she said. There has to be discussion about the scope and implications of such a major deal, she said, but in the end people would understand "this is too important to fail and too important to wait".

Skfta is the lynchpin to us-south korean relations.

SHERIDAN 8. [Greg, foreign editor, “Obama’s Asia focus faces early scrutiny” The Australian -- Nov 20 -- lexis]

However, his speeches in his trips to the US have tended to concentrate on US policy towards China. Rudd needs to make an Australian input into US policy towards the northeast Asian triangle of China, Japan and the Korean peninsula. The first order of business for an Obama administration in relation to Korea is how it deals with the US-South Korea free trade agreement. During the presidential primaries, Obama irresponsibly opposed this FTA. This was a naked bid for votes from blue-collar car industry workers in Michigan and, to some extent, Ohio. Although the FTA has been finalised, neither the South Koreans nor the Americans have yet ratified it. However, in South Korea this would be nearly a formality. In the US, the Democratic congressional leadership has been opposed to it on grounds of pure protectionism. Both sides nonetheless understand the political realities in the US mean there may need to be some further side statement regarding the car trade, which would supplement the FTA without requiring its total redesign. The FTA is one of the technically best and most comprehensive the US has negotiated. If, in the light of all the strength and history of this bilateral relationship, the US were to walk away from the FTA, it would have serious consequences for the US-South Korea relationship. In short, the US needs the FTA for the Korea relationship and to maintain its influence within South Korean society. This is critically important in itself, given the size of the South Korean economy. But it is also important in the long run in helping South Korea avoid a fate it clearly does not want, namely falling into China's strategic orbit.

SKFTA’s rejection would be devastating to US-soko relations and American businesses

Klingner and Markheim 3/1/11, The Heritage Foundation ( K. Daniella M. 3/1 "The Proposed U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA): Provisions and Implications" http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/key_workplace/813/ )PHS

Counterbalances and Costs- By formalizing bilateral economic ties with South Korea through an FTA, America also solidifies its ties to northeast Asia through international trade, providing a counterbalance to China's economic influence in the region. There are also very real costs in not approving the KORUS FTA. Rejecting the agreement would result in discriminatory tariffs and non-tariff barriers that work against U.S. companies staying on the books. American businesses would be at a disadvantage, losing further market share as other countries sign FTAs with South Korea. Opportunity and Prosperity - Without the lower barriers to trade that U.S. trade agreements and the more than six decades of multilateral trade liberalization has brought to bear on the world's markets, America's ability to weather the current economic storm would be much less. FTAs open markets, protect investors, and increase economic opportunity and prosperity. In short, free trade agreements serve to promote U.S. interests, not to weaken them or to place an unfair burden on American workers and consumers. A new Administration keen on promoting America's economic well-being should turn away from trade policies that protect the few who fear competition at the expense of the consumers and businesses working hard to not only survive today's market downturn but to prosper in the future. Therefore, the Administration and Congress must not allow the KORUS FTA--a free-trade agreement that would strongly benefit America--to linger any longer in protectionist purgatory.

SKFTA is key to secure US leadership in East Asia, help counterbalance Chinese influence and prevent permanent economic and geopolitical damage

Bandow 10, The Japan Times (Dough B. 10/2/2010 "U.S. Hurts Itself Sitting on South Korea Free Trade Agreement" http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=12527/ )PHS

Second, reunification with the North is likely someday. A unified Korea will be an even more important market for U.S. concerns. Nor is economics the sum total of the issue. A rising China is bumping up against a still dominant America. Strengthening trade ties is one way for Washington to ensure continued American influence in East Asia. Despite the Wall Street debacle, the U.S. retains the world's largest and most productive economy. However, Washington's economic dominance in East Asia is waning. China has pushed American companies into second and even third place in many countries, most notably in South Korea and Japan. At the same time, China is asserting itself throughout Asia, including in South Korea. In June, Beijing finalized an economic framework cooperation agreement with Taiwan and is pressing for free trade agreements with Australia and Japan. China and South Korea also have discussed the possibility of a FTA. The fact that China is pursuing this strategy with America's three leading military allies in the region demonstrates Washington's problem. South Korea is not waiting for the U.S. -Last year Seoul completed the world's largest bilateral trade pact, with the European Union. American manufacturers will soon find themselves at a disadvantage compared to European producers — with the likely loss of roughly $30 billion in exports. The primary benefit of the FTA is economic. Expanding trade ties offers geopolitical advantages as well. The Bush administration only slightly overstated the benefits when it argued: "By boosting economic ties and broadening and modernizing our long-standing alliance, it promises to become the pillar of our alliance for the next 50 years, as the Mutual Defense Treaty has been for the last 50 years." Washington's influence in East Asia is slowly ebbing. Today, the U.S.-South Korea military alliance is outdated. However, Washington can employ American "soft power" — access to the world's most important, advanced and productive economy — to actively engage friendly nations. The U.S. should press for multilateral and regional agreements. Washington already has forged FTAs with Australia and Singapore. The U.S. should move forward and negotiate FTAs with Japan, Taiwan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a collection of 10 highly trade-dependent states. The start is for the U.S. Congress to ratify the pending accord with South Korea. Failing to approve the South Korean FTA is likely to result in permanent economic and geopolitical damage. This would be a high price for America to pay at any time, but especially when China is rapidly expanding its influence throughout East Asia.

Skfta key to the economy, alliance, and engaging east asia.

WEBB ET AL 10. [Jim, East Asia and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee Chairman, Senatory Kerry, Senator Lieberman, Senator Lincoln and Senator Begich, “Key Democratic Senators Support Obama Administration's Decision To Move Forward On U.S.-Korea Trade” Congressional Documents and Publications -- July 20 -- lexis]

"President Obama has made clear he wants to work with our ally South Korea to resolve legitimate concerns and smooth the way for passage of the trade agreement. This is an important step in meeting the President's goal of doubling American exports over the next five years to create good American jobs," said Senator Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "South Korea is one of our closest allies, and swift movement on KORUS will help underscore both our relationship and our commitment to security and prosperity in East Asia. When Seoul hosts the G-20 meeting this November, I am optimistic that the United States will be able to point to substantial progress on KORUS as an example of America's reengagement with the region." "The passage of this agreement will send a strong signal to our ally, the Republic of Korea, and the rest of the region that the United States will follow through on its commitments and intends to remain deeply engaged in East Asia," said Senator Webb, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia and Pacific Affairs. "The United States, the Republic of Korea, and all of East Asia stand to benefit from the implementation of this agreement. I support the President's decision to resolve the concerns of a few key industries by November, and I will do my part in the Senate to ensure that it is approved." "As Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, creating jobs and putting our economy back on the right track is my top priority. Opening more markets for agricultural producers will help Arkansas farmers, ranchers and rural communities who have felt the devastating effects of the current economic climate. I am very pleased that the President made a public commitment at the G-20 meeting to resolve outstanding issues with respect to the Korea Free Trade Agreement, and bring it to Congress for approval by the end of this year. Once it is passed by Congress, the implementation of this FTA will represent a major step toward reaching the goal of doubling U.S. exports within five years," said Senator Lincoln, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. This trade agreement will create jobs for Americans here at home, strengthen our economy, and bolster our alliance with South Korea," Senator Lieberman, Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee said. "When the President submits this critical initiative to Congress, there will be a strong coalition of Democrats who are ready and eager to fight for its passage."