WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) in urging U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to expand global markets for American producers by increasing export opportunities. 

“We expect trade to fluctuate in response to macroeconomic factors and market conditions,” the senators wrote. “However, 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. 

“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 continued.

Grassley and Thune serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee under Ranking Member Boozman; Crapo is the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee. They are joined on the letter by Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds, (R-S.D.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.).

Read the full letter HERE.

Background:

Access to foreign markets impact the price of Iowa corn, soybeans, beef and pork. That’s why Grassley is a fierce advocate of reducing trade barriers for U.S. products in markets abroad. His roles on the Senate Finance Committee, which has primary jurisdiction over trade policy, and Senate Agriculture Committee go hand-in-hand as he advances that priority. Grassley this week spoke with reporters about the harmful impacts of President Biden’s lackluster trade agenda.

During the 116th Congress, as then-chairman of the Finance Committee, Grassley shepherded the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement into law. This helped modernize trade relationships among key North American marketplaces. He has also strengthened international partnerships through landmark free trade agreements with Australia and Central America.

Grassley previously hosted a tour to generate goodwill for Iowa’s products, during which ambassadors to the U.S. visited Iowa for a week to meet with farmers and producers across the state.

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