United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai testified before the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance this week regarding the administration’s 2024 Trade Policy Agenda.
In advance of the hearing with Senate Finance, ASA and 32 other ag stakeholder groups sent a letter to USTR urging recommitment to an aggressive trade agenda and asking USTR to hold parties accountable to commitments and improve trade enforcement mechanisms.
“Export markets are essential for our survival, and comprehensive trade agreements and elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers help ensure that U.S. agriculture can compete on an even playing field in our export markets,” groups state in the letter.
Key takeaways from the hearings:
- Free Trade Agreements: When asked during the Senate hearing about new free trade agreements in the works, Tai said the administration is addressing existing trade barriers directly by country but not “big comprehensive agreements that are really great for ag and terrible for our industries.”
- China: Lawmakers also questioned Tai on China’s failure to live up to purchase agreements made under the Phase One deal. Tai defended the administration’s approach, stating that it has not caused more retaliation for U.S. farmers. “That is a really important part of our trade policy, which is to continue to improve the export opportunities for our farmers.” (Learn more in Agri-Pulse)
USMCA: Facing similar criticisms and questions during the House Committee on Ways and Means hearing, Tai pointed to the work her office is doing for farmers through USMCA. USTR is currently disputing Mexico’s GMO corn ban and Canada’s dairy tariff rate quota allocation measures. (Learn more in Brownfield)
