Newhouse Farmers Want Trade Agreements

Some in the Ag community have been vocal in their displeasure with the Administration’s announced $12 billion assistance plan for farmers negatively impacted by Chinese tariffs.  While he said the assistance is appreciated, Representative Dan Newhouse said this is not a healthy cycle for today’s farmers.  He added the Ag community does not want handouts, they want trading partners.

“Reciprocal trade agreements where we don’t have subsidies, we don’t have tariffs, we don’t have non-tariff barriers, phytosanitary issues, just like the agreement to work on those things between the United States and the European Union.  That’s exactly the kind of thing that we need.  And I’m looking forward to seeing more of that.”

Newhouse said resolving current trade talks, whether with China, NAFTA or even TPP, is the best thing for American farmers.

“That doesn’t mean just going back to where we were, business as usual, but as to improve the trading relationships by having a level playing field, where we can minimize the subsidies, the tariffs, on both sides.”

Newhouse added, if agreements are reached that don’t place the United States at a disadvantage, he’s confident American farmers can compete with anyone in the world.

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