Republican Senators Ask USTR to Negotiate FTAs for Sake of Ag Exports

Twenty-two Republican senators -- including the top Republicans on the Senate Finance and Agriculture committees and one of the front-runners to replace Minority Leader Mitch McConnell -- argue that the "current sharp decline in U.S. agricultural exports is directly attributable to and exacerbated by an unambitious U.S. trade strategy that is failing to meaningfully expand market access or reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade."

They said exports declined by more than $17 billion last fiscal year, and that another $8 billion decline is expected this fiscal year.

Sens. John Thune, R-S.D., John Boozman, R-Ark., and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and their colleagues told U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack that they should analyze the relationship between U.S. agricultural market share abroad and those countries' negotiated tariffs and tariff rate quotas.

"While the Biden administration continually refuses to pursue traditional free trade agreements, China, Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and others continue to ink trade pacts that diminish American export opportunities and global economic influence," they wrote.

They noted that half of U.S. rice and 20% of domestically grown potatoes are exported, as are nearly 80% of almonds, more than 70% of nonfat powdered milk and more than 95% of cotton.

They asked the members of the Cabinet to write back, explaining what specific actions they plan to increase ag exports this year, and asked, "Does the Biden administration intend to pursue new or improved free trade agreements with any countries to obtain new market access for agricultural products in 2024?"