U.S. agricultural sector calls on Trump to ‘deepen engagement’ in Asia

Eighty-eight businesses and farm trade associations sent a letter this week to the Trump administration, asking the administration to reduce and eliminate tariffs and other restrictive agricultural policies in the Asia-Pacific region.    A wide swath of agricultural companies and farm trade associations are asking the Trump administration to reduce and eliminate tariffs and other restrictive agricultural policies in the Asia-Pacific region.
   “We hope your Administration will create such opportunities for our sector by deepening U.S. economic engagement in this critical region while responding to the Asia-only regional trade agreements being negotiated by our foreign competitors,” 88 businesses and associations said in a letter mailed this week. It was signed by food giants such as Cargill and Campbell Soup Company, and groups such as the American Soybean Association and U.S. Meat Export Federation.
   “While many in our sector strongly supported the Trans-Pacific Partnership, we hope future agreements build upon the valuable aspects of that agreement to increase our market access in the Asia-Pacific,” the letter said. “We welcome an opportunity to work with your Administration to ensure that America’s farmers, ranchers, processors and food companies do not fall behind our foreign peers in this vitally important economic region.”
   The letter stressed job creation in the U.S. farm sector as a result of international trade, noting that the food and agricultural industry from farm to fork employs more than 15 million Americans, and the food and beverage industry alone represents 12 percent of all U.S. manufacturing jobs.
   “Our ability to continue to create jobs and support economic growth in rural America depends on maintaining and increasing access to markets outside the United States through existing and future trade agreements,” the letter said.