The U.S. International Trade Commission forecasts that exports of South Korean cars and related auto parts to the U.S. will rise by over 900 million dollars, or about eleven percent when the bilateral free trade agreement takes effect.

The commission made the forecast in a report it prepared at the request of Congressman Dave Camp, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

The report predicts that exports of U.S. automobiles and auto parts to South Korea will rise 190 million dollars.

The commission expects U.S. car shipments to Korea to increase by 41 to 56 percent, thanks to the easing of non-tariff barriers which were agreed to during additional free trade negotiations last year.

Representative Camp says that if Congress fails to ratify the three pending FTAs, including the one with South Korea, before July first, the U.S. can lose its market share and fall behind its competitors.