House Agriculture Committee holds trade roundtable with Perdue and Lighthizer

Source: House Committee on Agriculture
Members of the House Agriculture Committee joined USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer for an executive roundtable on U.S. agricultural trade policy, Wednesday, in Washington D.C.
Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway, Texas, Dist. 11, appreciated the opportunity to have Amb. Lighthizer and Sec. Perdue meet with the committee to underscore the critical importance of trade to the U.S. agricultural economy.
“Given that agriculture is one of the few areas where the U.S. enjoys a positive balance of trade, we’re eager to work together to continue building on our hard-fought gains,” said Conaway. “It was also encouraging to hear Ambassador Lighthizer express the importance of holding our trading partners accountable, and I look forward to working with him and Secretary Perdue to secure even better deals for America’s farmers, ranchers and foresters.”
Ranking Member Collin Peterson, Minnesota, Dist. 7, appreciated the roundtable as an opportunity for the committee to hear directly from Perdue and Lighthizer to gain a better understanding of the administration’s plans for agriculture trade.
“We need to ensure that agriculture is treated fairly in any future trade deals. I take both Secretary Perdue and Ambassador Lighthizer at their word that any trade deals will only expand agriculture exports and not take them backward,” said Peterson.
Perdue said that working with President Trump, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Ambassador Lighthizer and leadership on Capitol Hill will help open up new markets and expand existing ones. “With the global population expected to hit nine billion by 2050, the U.S. is going to have a major role in feeding a growing and hungry world,” he said. “Where American agricultural products can compete on a level playing field, they will succeed and lead the way.”
Lighthizer has honored to meet with the members of the committee and Secretary Perdue to further their discussions about protecting and expanding U.S. agricultural exports around the world.
“America’s farmers and ranchers are second to none, and they have my commitment to fight unfair trade practices and grow more export opportunities,” Lighthizer said. “From family farms to food and beverage manufacturing jobs, truly free and fair agricultural trade raises wages and fuels our economy, and I look forward to continuing the conversation and building upon our discussions.”