WASHINGTON, D.C. - The following is attributable to Charles Freeman, Senior Vice President for Asia at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
“The U.S. Chamber is concerned about Korea’s apparent rush to pass platform legislation. It is critical that that the full text of any proposed legislation be made publicly available, and that the government of Korea provide ample opportunity for engagement with a range of stakeholders, including the American business community and the U.S. government.
“Having closely monitored legislative conversations in multiple countries, including failed attempts to pass platform legislation in the United States, the U.S. Chamber can attest that these platform proposals are deeply flawed. They trample on competition that clearly benefits consumers, ignore good regulatory practices fundamental to sound regulatory models, and place governments in a position of violating their trade commitments by arbitrarily targeting foreign firms. We urge the Korean Fair Trade Commission to demonstrate the type of transparency and open dialogue that an action of this magnitude requires.
“The Chamber’s U.S.-Korea Business Council has long supported a prosperous, transparent, and mutually beneficial bilateral relationship advancing the interests of the business communities and governments of one of the world’s most important alliances. To this end, our two countries should continue to advance two-way trade and investment, support economic growth and security, and reinvigorate efforts to resolve existing barriers that undermine such cooperation.”
