Effort is supported by the Michigan Apple Committee and USApple
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Peter Meijer (R-MI) this week joined a bipartisan group of 91 lawmakers in sending a letter to Ambassador Katherine Tai and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack urging them to prioritize agriculture in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. This effort was led by Representatives Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA).
Excerpt from the letter:
“With U.S. agricultural production outpacing domestic demand for many commodities, American farmers and agribusinesses rely on global markets to sustain prices and revenues. As a result, agricultural exports have grown steadily over the last few decades, reaching over $177 billion in 2021, up from $46.1 billion in 1994. Increasing agriculture U.S. exports not only creates jobs in the U.S., but also strengthens global sustainability efforts by enabling commodities produced under strict environmental and labor standards to meet a significant share of global demand.
“The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework offers an excellent opportunity to address these barriers to U.S. agricultural exports throughout the region. We understand that the Framework will work to set standards in several areas, and we urge the inclusion of high standard Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, including certification and inspection rules. Coordination with our trading partners on such regulations and measures will help facilitate trade and protect consumers.
“In addition, we strongly support efforts to create mutually agreed-upon regulatory reforms, guidelines or exchanges of letters that could improve the ability of U.S. farmers and food manufacturers to reliably and easily export to key markets throughout the Indo-Pacific region. For example, timely results that remove or streamline certification or registration requirements by recognizing the strength of the U.S. food safety and plant and animal health oversight systems could deliver meaningful benefits for the millions of Americans working in the food and agriculture sector.
“The Framework should also include efforts to reduce tariffs on U.S. agricultural exports to improve our competitiveness in the region. While we understand the Framework will not initially be a comprehensive trade agreement that deals broadly with tariffs, this should not preclude efforts to increase agricultural market access by reducing our trading partners’ tariffs, both in the interest of U.S. exporters and our trading partners’ interest in enhancing their access to high quality, affordable agricultural products. This was precisely the outcome in 2020 and 2021 when the United States successfully sought to reduce Vietnamese Most Favored Nation tariffs on various agricultural products. The Administration should seek to pursue and build upon this type of success in the context of the Framework.
“With global food demand set to double by 2050, there is no one better equipped to lead the charge of feeding a hungry world than American producers, and enhanced access to these markets will be vital in achieving that goal. We look forward to working closely with you as you develop and pursue U.S. negotiating positions in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and other areas of international economic engagement.”
This effort is supported by the Michigan Apple Committee and USApple.
“International trade is so important to agriculture. While only a small percentage of Michigan apples are exported to other countries, global markets are important for other states, allowing Michigan to continue to be competitive domestically. Supporting agricultural exports from the U.S. has positive affects globally as well as here at home, creating jobs and maintaining high environmental and labor-related standards. Support of agriculture within the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework would be a positive step forward in efforts to feed the world.” – Diane Smith, Executive Director, Michigan Apple Committee
“Trade is critical for the U.S. apple industry. Historically, U.S. apple growers have exported one-third of their crop, valued at about $1 billion. In recent years, retaliatory tariffs have taken a big bite out of that. There are apple markets that should be natural for the U.S. to fill, but we cannot due to non-tariff trade barriers like requirements for pre-shipment fumigation. IPEF would address those, and we hope it happens as soon as possible.” – Jim Bair, President & CEO, USApple
The letter is also supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Feed Industry Association, American Soybean Association, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, California Citrus Mutual, California Fam Bureau Federation, California Walnut Commission, Corn Refiners Association, Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S., International Fresh Produce Association, Leather and Hide Council of America, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Milk Producers Federation, National Oilseed Processors Association, North American Meat Institute, Northwest Horticultural Council, Texas Association of Dairymen, U.S. Apple Association, U.S. Dairy Export Council, Western Growers Association, Wine Institute.
Original source can be found here.
