Repeal of Catfish USDA Authority to Get Senate Vote during Trade Bill Consideration
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Wall Street Journal] (Opinion) May 15, 2015
Senate Democrats dealt a blow to economic growth Tuesday by refusing to advance the trade-promotion bill needed to complete the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact (TPP). Now Japan, Vietnam and other negotiating partners will look to see if Washington can salvage its trade agenda. They’ll also be watching Congressional jockeying over catfish. Allow us to explain.
The problem dates to 2002, when Congress barred Vietnamese exporters from marketing as “catfish” an Asian cousin known as pangasius with similar taste, texture and whiskers. But that failed to curb American enthusiasm for the cheaper foreign creature, which is common in fish sticks and often called “basa” or “swai” on menus. So in 2003 Washington slapped tariffs...
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