AFBF Questions If Administrations IPEF Will Benefit American Farmers

When President Biden launched his Indo Pacific Economic Framework with 12 other nations, he said it would serve as a safeguard to buffer China’s growing economic influence in the region. The proposal the Administration says is an answer not only to the Trans-Pacific Partnership that the U.S. pulled out of during the Trump Administration, but also a pushback against China’s Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

But will the new Indo Pacific Framework be good for U.S. trade? And what about agriculture?

“Part of the emphasis we've seen so far in the trade part of it, will be on improving science-based standards for agricultural products," said American Farm Bureau trade chief Dave Salmonsen. "That's always an issue with many countries in that region. That's the thing that needs to be worked on, but we were looking for and wanted more market access, meaning talks on reducing tariffs.”

But Japan and others in the Framework complain the Framework lacks commitments on tariffs and other requirements.

“What exactly will be in it," Salmonsen noted. "How will the goals be reached? How will it be fleshed out? I think it's a work in progress. Hopefully more ambition can be gained, but it’s starting off and there; it is addressing issues.”

And Salmonsen says unless there are changes to US law or tariff schedules, Congress won’t have to ratify a final agreement.

Other Ag groups including the U.S. Dairy Export Council and the National Milk Producers Federation weighed in to back the IPEF launch but want specific time frames and new market access commitments. Dozens of Hill lawmakers are urging the same.

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