Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, today made the following comment on the European Union trade commissioner's remarks on eliminating export subsidies.
"I'm pleased that the European Union is coming around to support the elimination of all export subsidies. The United States has long sought the elimination of these subsidies. Getting the European Union's backing for this idea is a good step forward. Export subsidies are the most trade-distorting of all support measures, and producers outside of Europe, including Iowa farmers, are suffering on account of the European Union's extensive use of them. I strongly hope that WTO negotiations will result not only in an agreement to eliminate export subsidies, but also in a firm date for their elimination."