Ag Industry Organizes to Protect NAFTA
49 views · Published 19 February 2018 · 3:05 · Indexed 23 September 2026
Channel: RFD-TV · 2018 · Entertainment
11/01/2017, WASHINGTON DC, More than 80 groups representing interests across the Ag Industry wrote a letter to commerce secretary Wilbur Ross on protecting NAFTA. Sarah Mock has more on why trade anxieties in the farm sector are higher than ever. Despite additional rounds of NAFTA renegotiations expected to extend into 2018, farmers and their representatives worry about comments from the administration about leaving the deal. “If the administration follows through on its threat to withdraw from NAFTA, the giant sucking sound you’ll hear will be the air going out of the economy of rural america, as farmers and ranchers take a major financial hit. The annual cost to my farm alone would be 2 and ½ million in lost revenue.” A Texas Lawmaker says despite extensive discussions with the white house on modernizing NAFTA to expand trade, he can’t say whether that is the president’s goal for the talks. “If the objective of the negotiation is to erect barriers to the US markets, to decrease international trade, than I believe NAFTA renegotiation could be a very bad thing. Texas farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, small businesses do well when we have access to foreign markets. Which direction will the administration go? I’ll say candidly, I don’t know. Ithink there are voices in the administration pulling both directions.” Farm state lawmakers say this is a time to speak out, fight back, and be clear about the economic risks of a NAFTA exit. “We must educate, our message must be clear and consistent in every way. We must challenge this view, set the record straight and explain what is at stake. These issues affect real jobs, real lives, and real people. Where Ag and trade meet, we get results. So saddle up we have to ride. Ride with me.” Ag experts are also concerned that the tone of current talks could have negative impacts on our attempt to negotiate new trade deals in the future. “Can only think that people on the other side of the table are looking at the US right now thinking why bother? They’re going to tear it up anyway in 5 years. They’re going to say it’s a terrible deal and walk away from it.” Cruz says that he wouldn’t expect to see any legislative action on trade in the near future given what he characterized as a partisan divide over free trade. He says protecting NAFTA will come down to showing the administration how critical trade is for us jobs. I’m Sarah Mock in Washington for RFDTV news. Lawmakers have also expressed concern that nafta renegotiations may become tied to republican efforts to pass significant tax reform. Experts fear that if tax reform is unsuccessful, that may trigger stronger rhetoric or even withdraw from NAFTA by the white house. Gordon Stoner, National Association Of Wheat Growers President Pat Roberts, Senate Ag Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, (R ) Texas Randy Spronk, Ranger Farms Llp Managing Director Sarah Mock Washington Bureau Chief, RFD-TV @Sarah_K_Mock
