Senators Young, Daines send letter applauding Trump Administration for Pro-Ag Trade Policies

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) joined U.S. Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE-03) in sending a bicameral letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. The letter commends the administration for their ongoing trade negotiations to support American producers and manufacturers.

“We write to you to express our strong support for ongoing trade negotiations to level the playing field for American producers and manufacturers. President Trump’s decision to pause the implementation of certain reciprocal tariffs creates momentum to secure meaningful and enforceable agreements for U.S. agricultural producers, energy producers, and manufacturers.

“…Certain barriers may require long-term negotiations. However, we are confident in your ability to utilize this 90-day pause to come to agreements that can benefit all American industries while providing opportunity for continued dialogue. There are pressing trade issues, including digital services taxes, import quotas, and tariff reduction, which we cannot delay addressing.

“American manufacturers, producers, and consumers are eager for the long-term certainty trade agreements provide. This certainty could prevent the decline of commodity prices, recover global market share, and unleash American industry to counter global competitors. Further, bilateral agreements which address both tariff and non-tariff barriers provide opportunities to strengthen supply chains, drive innovation, and increase international collaboration, all of which would reassert the United States’ global leadership and combat China’s malign influence,” they wrote in the letter.

In addition to Senators Young and Daines, Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), John Kennedy (R-La.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) also signed the letter. The senators are joined by 44 lawmakers from the U.S. House of Representatives.  

Full text of the letter can be found here or below:

Dear Ambassador Greer and Secretaries Bessent, Rollins, and Lutnick,

We write to you to express our strong support for ongoing trade negotiations to level the playing field for American producers and manufacturers. President Trump’s decision to pause the implementation of certain reciprocal tariffs creates momentum to secure meaningful and enforceable agreements for U.S. agricultural producers, energy producers, and manufacturers.

International trade is fundamental to the continued success and vitality of U.S. industry, particularly agriculture. Many of the commodities grown in the U.S. are dependent on access to export markets, including grains, oilseeds, specialty crops, and livestock products. For example, over 50% of soybeans, 25% of pork products, and nearly 50% of domestic wheat production are destined for overseas markets. Last year, American food and agricultural exports totaled $180.2 billion to customers outside the United States1 . At that same time, the agricultural trade deficit reached a high of $32 billion; a concerning development compared with our historic agricultural trade surplus. This is in part due to President Biden’s failure to address tariff and non-tariff barriers in international markets. 

Over the last four years, we saw an extraordinary lack of trade engagement by the Biden administration. Where President Biden chose to engage, it was through slow-walked complacency. Often, American industries were left without any defense. Contrast this with President Trump’s first term, which achieved historic wins for U.S. agriculture and manufacturing. The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the China Phase One trade deal, and the United States-Japan Trade Agreement all achieved historic outcomes for American producers and consumers. Given the current agricultural trade deficit and the state of the farm economy, it is more important than ever to build on the achievements of President Trump’s first term.

We appreciate the administration’s swift negotiation of an agreement in principle with the United Kingdom which prioritizes agricultural market access, collaboration in industries key to national security, and continued engagement to address other bilateral trade barriers. The initial agreement secures unprecedented access to import quotas for key agricultural products, yet there are significant other tariff and non-tariff barriers that must continue to be addressed in the UK and with other trading partners to realize the full benefit of new access commitments.

Certain barriers may require long-term negotiations. However, we are confident in your ability to utilize this 90- day pause to come to agreements that can benefit all American industries while providing opportunity for continued dialogue. There are pressing trade issues, including digital services taxes, import quotas, and tariff reduction, which we cannot delay addressing.

American manufacturers, producers, and consumers are eager for the mutual lowering of barriers and long-term certainty trade agreements provide. This certainty could prevent the decline of commodity prices, recover global market share, and unleash American industry to counter global competitors. Further, bilateral agreements which address both tariff and non-tariff barriers provide opportunities to strengthen supply chains, drive innovation, and increase international collaboration, all of which would reassert the United States’ global leadership and combat China’s malign influence.

We applaud the President for seeking to renew American leadership in global trade and secure meaningful market access for American industries. We look forward to working together on a trade policy agenda that strengthens American industry, agriculture, and rural communities.