March 19, 2019
President Donald Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Trump:
On behalf of America’s farmers, ranchers, and food producers, we commend your unprecedented efforts to hold China accountable for its unfair trade practices. It is important that American products receive equitable treatment from our trade partners abroad and your continued leadership on this issue is appreciated. We are especially encouraged by recent reports indicating that trade talks are progressing towards a mutually beneficial conclusion for both of our nations.
As part of your negotiations, we are asking that your Administration prioritize the removal of all retaliatory tariffs and make their immediate elimination a mandatory condition of any successful trade agreement.
As you know, approximately 20% of American agricultural products are exported overseas, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. China is one of our most important markets, importing approximately $20 billion worth of U.S. agriculture products in 2017. With rural America facing a prolonged recession, maintaining a free and fair exchange of goods with trading partners such as China is pivotal to price recovery throughout the farm economy.
Unfortunately, retaliatory tariffs have had a severe negative impact on market access in many agricultural sectors, and failing to lift these tariffs could negate any positive gains resulting from a new trade arrangement with China. American products are rapidly losing their earned market share to our competitors, underscoring the need for an urgent resolution.
Quickly restoring access to the Chinese market for agriculture products is a top priority for America’s farmers, agribusinesses and food manufacturers, as negative impacts will continue to compound the longer that our trade relationship with China remains in question. Removing all of these retaliatory tariffs would have an immediate beneficial effect by bolstering our agricultural economy and restoring a measure of certainty to those industries that supply the Chinese market.
We remain confident that your Administration’s negotiations with China will result in an agreement that supports American agriculture by lifting all retaliatory tariffs.
Sincerely,
Almond Alliance of California
Amcot
American Cotton Shippers Association
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Feed Industry Association
American Peanut Product Manufacturers, Inc.
American Sheep Industry Association
American Soybean Association
Animal Health Institute
Calcot
Carolinas Cotton Growers
CoBank
CropLife America
Distilled Spirits Council of the United States
Farm Credit Council
Farmers for Free Trade
Global Cold Chain Alliance
Grocery Manufacturers Association
International Dairy Foods Association
National Association of Egg Farmers
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
National Association of Wheat Growers
National Confectioners Association
National Corn Growers Association
National Cotton Council
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Grain and Feed Association
National Milk Producers Federation
National Pork Producers Council National Sorghum Producers
National Turkey Foundation
North American Export Grain Association
North American Meat Institute
Northwest Horticultural Council
Pet Food Institute
Plains Cotton Cooperative Association
Staplcotn
United Dairymen of Arizona
United Egg Producers
U.S. Apple Association
U.S. Dairy Export Council
U.S. Grains Council
U.S. Rice Producers Association
U.S. Wheat Associates
Western Growers Association
William James and Associates, LLC
WineAmerica
Wine Institute
World Perspectives, Inc.
cc:
The Honorable Robert Lighthizer, U.S. Trade Representative
The Honorable Sonny Perdue, U.S. Department of Agriculture
