Lawmakers like Texas Representative Jodey Arrington say trade has been unbalanced for too long.
During a hearing on the Hill this week, he said the current trade rules would never fly if it was played like a basketball game.
“You know, I can’t imagine the Texas Tech Raiders taking on the Arkansas Hogs and let the Arkansas Razorbacks shoot lay-ups for their free throws, or pick up the ball and run with it instead of dribbling, I mean can you ever imagine watching a competition where there were two sets of rules. Now, we’d still beat them, no question, under any set of rules and circumstances, but anyway, it just seems to me that it’s un-American not to fight for our manufacturers, producers, and workers to simply have an even playing field.”
Arrington made those comments during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on trade. Several ag groups spoke before the panel, highlighting the need to keep trade affordable.
RealAg Radio’s Shaun Haney recaps Farm Credit Canada’s trade forum, Canadian producer sentiment ahead of the USMCA review, and his outlook for U.S.-Canada trade relations.
USDA raised exports by $2.5 billion from February, while imports are forecast at $205.5 billion. The resulting $29 billion agricultural trade deficit remains a reminder that higher shipments alone do not resolve trade pressure.
Corn is the clear export leader heading into summer.
The U.S. Meat Export Federation says the agreement could be used to improve market access for American beef and pork producers in Africa.
Industry leaders highlighted trade concerns, export opportunities and the importance of maintaining momentum behind the agreement.
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney joins us to discuss Canada’s livestock import restrictions, producer reaction to the New World screwworm detection in Texas, and the potential implications for cross-border livestock trade.
