The nominee for USDA Undersecretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs says the U.S. has “given up” its role in feeding the world.
Trade nominee Luke Lindberg tells lawmakers that enough is enough.
“Our ethanol producers are no longer competitive in Brazil because of Brazilian import tariffs. Our hog farmers cannot export pork to Brazil, India, Nigeria, Jamaica, Namibia, or Thailand. Mexico has enjoyed a 557% increase in specialty crop imports into the United States in just the last decade. Canada has rigged the USMCA agreement terms against our dairy and wheat farmers.”
Lindberg says another major offender is the EU, noting it is responsible for about half of the U.S. trade deficit. He tells lawmakers he wants to take a “strategic and targeted” approach when assessing the markets. From there, he says they can begin breaking down trade barriers. Lindberg still faces a full Senate vote.
Peel says Mexico has a much greater capability to expand its beef industry than it did 20 or 30 years ago in terms of its feeding and packing infrastructure.
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In a statement provided to RFD-TV News, a USDA spokesperson reiterated President Trump and the USDA’s commitment to farmers in difficult economic times.
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Industry leaders say $11 billion in new investments could turn the tide as dairy producers face shrinking margins and growing uncertainty.
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Even in this strong market, some beef producers are leaving money on the table by not following proven marketing practices.
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