Central ND News

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and U.S. Senator John Thune (R-SD) have raised concerns over the widening deficit in the trade of agricultural goods in the United States. The senators recently sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, expressing worries about the current state of agricultural trade.

In the letter, the senators questioned the Biden administration about its plan to improve U.S. agricultural exports in 2024 and whether it will pursue new trade agreements to enhance global market access for agricultural products. They also urged the administration to analyze the relationship between U.S. competitiveness in foreign agricultural markets and trade barriers such as tariffs and non-tariff provisions.

The senators highlighted that the recent decline in U.S. agricultural exports is a result of an unambitious trade strategy that fails to expand market access or reduce trade barriers effectively. They emphasized the importance of international trade for the success of U.S. agriculture and its impact on American workers, farmers, and ranchers.

"The continued decline in U.S. agricultural exports is avoidable and unacceptable," the senators stated in their letter. "The Biden administration must take immediate action to ensure this does not become a long-term trend."

The deficit in agricultural trade has been a growing concern, with U.S. agricultural exports declining by more than $17 billion in the last fiscal year. The Ninth Federal Reserve District, including North and South Dakota, experienced a significant drop in corn and soybean exports, affecting workers and farmers in the region.

The senators' letter underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to address the challenges facing U.S. agricultural trade and safeguard the livelihoods of millions of American workers and farmers involved in the export supply chain.

For further details, the full letter can be accessed [here](link to the letter).