"I'm pleased that the CAFTA negotiations were concluded successfully. This historic agreement will provide unprecedented access for Iowa's agricultural products and factory goods in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Under this agreement, exports of Iowa pork, corn, and beef will have the opportunity to grow significantly in the region, and Iowa soybeans will continue to enjoy open access there.
"While Costa Rica is not part of the initial agreement, I hope that we'll be able to resolve outstanding issues with that nation soon. I'm also pleased that we're continuing our efforts with the CAFTA countries to remove unjustified sanitary and phytosanitary barriers to our agricultural exports. I'll work to ensure that any unjustified non-tariff barriers to U.S. agricultural products are eliminated before the agreement is considered by the Congress. I look forward to working with my colleagues to move the CAFTA through the U.S. Senate."