
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, November 28, 1994                   TAG: 9412070052
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

WHAT'S TO FEAR?

MUCH of the opposition to GATT, which a lame-duck Congress will be taking up this week, centers on supposed threats to U.S. sovereignty. The bugaboo is the proposed World Trade Organization, which would referee trade disputes among nations.

Some criticisms are valid: for example, that WTO proceedings will be conducted in private. These should be opened up.

In the main, though, opponents' arguments are boilerplate baloney. The WTO will be resolving disputes according to rules that the United States and 122 other nations will have agreed to beforehand. No decisions by the trade panel can alter U.S. law. Higher U.S. standards for food and other goods are allowed under the revised GATT.

The United States (as the world's No. 1 exporter) has a stronger interest in fair trade than most nations - and GATT would put it in a stronger bargaining position than it has now. The WTO would make it easier to compel countries to keep their markets open to U.S. products.

The larger point is that GATT would reduce trade barriers worldwide, create well-paying U.S. jobs, and cut tariffs on products bought by U.S. consumers. It's a good deal for America, and no threat to our independence among nations.

by CNB