Congressman David Kustoff urges prioritizing of American farmers in Taiwan trade negotiations

Congressman David Kustoff (TN-08) led 16 of his colleagues on the House Ways and Means Committee in sending a letter to United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Katherine Tai urging the USTR to prioritize market access for American farmers during their formal trade negotiations with Taiwan.
The agriculture industry plays a critical role in our economy and in communities across the country. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), for the first time in history the U.S. is expected to have a $14.5 billion trade deficit for agriculture products in 2023. It is imperative that farmers and ranchers’ access to foreign markets is secured for continued growth.
The letter reads in part, “Any trade agreement with Taiwan must aim to reduce trade barriers and increase market access for U.S. exporters, including our farmers and ranchers. It should also include mechanisms to ensure regulatory transparency and protect against unfair treatment of U.S. goods. We urge you to prioritize these issues during negotiations and to inform Congress of your specific objectives as soon as possible.
“Trade negotiations with Taiwan present a unique opportunity for the United States. Closer economic ties with Taiwan can create economic opportunity and security for American farmers and exporters, expand U.S. influence in the Asia-Pacific, and reduce our reliance on China. We look forward to working with the Administration to develop trade policies that effectively create jobs and advance U.S. interests.”
The letter was also signed by Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE), Gregory F. Murphy, M.D. (R-NC), Mike Carey (R-OH), Michelle Steel (R-CA), Brad R. Wenstrup, D.P.M. (R-OH), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Jodey C. Arrington (R-TX), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Drew Ferguson (R-GA), Kevin Hern (R-OK), Blake Moore (R-UT), Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), and Ron Estes (R-KS).
Kustoff is the U.S House of Representatives member for Tennessee’s 8th Congressional District, which comprises Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Obion, Tipton, and Weakley counties. It also contains a large piece of Shelby County, including the eastern part of Memphis, half of Tipton County, and a small piece of Benton County.