“U.S. Compromised on Beef”: NYT

The New York Times quoted U.S. senior officials as saying, “The agreement relied on a voluntary arrangement by private exporters and importers not to ship American beef from cattle more than 30 months old for consumption in South Korea. The U.S. government would certify the age of the beef being exported.”

The newspaper reported that the Bush administration has taken the position that it cannot change its trade accords with Korea, which wants a renegotiation and the United States would not, “strictly speaking,” change its trade rules. But, it also reported that Washington “compromised on beef” for Seoul.

The daily said, “It was not clear whether an accord on beef exports would stop the anti-American protests and the accord would pave the way for approval of an overall trade agreement with South Korea.” Regarding recent protests, the newspaper said, "The U.S. beef dispute has revived anti-American sentiment not seen in South Korea since during the Cold War.”

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