TAD NewsDesk, Washington D.C: An alliance of 62 influencing U.S. agriculture stakeholders asked for renewed U.S. membership in the World Trade Organization. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and the executives of the Senate Finance, House Ways & Means, and Senate and House Agriculture Committees received a letter. It calls for efficacious WTO changes that would improve the capability of American agriculture to obtain foreign markets and preserve clarity and culpability crucial to future exportation, growth-promoting American jobs and recognise qualities aspired in the succeeding WTO Director-General.
Signatories of the letter include
- American Farm Bureau,
- American Soybean Association,
- National Corn Growers Association,
- National Milk Producers Federation,
- Corn Refiners Association,
- United Fresh Produce Association
- National Association of State Departments of Agriculture,
- and other industry groups.
“The WTO is fundamental to a rules-based system of international trade. We signed this letter to make clear to leaders on both sides of the political aisle that while reforms are needed continued U.S. leadership in the WTO is vital to American agriculture,” said John Bode, CRA President and CEO. “As long as exports are important to U.S. agriculture, WTO membership will be essential. This is critical to the one-fifth of the U.S. economy that is agriculture-related.”
The letter regards the demand for the WTO to establish modernised rules to speed up with global economic development and ask for expanded member answerability. A shift in WTO leadership grants the possibility to conveniently implement reform and revitalise its negotiating capacity under a new Director-General. It is necessary to accomplish development on a large scale of international agricultural trade reforms. The letter distinguishes the solicited segments of the succeeding WTO Director-General.
Zippy Duvall, President of American Farm Bureau said, “Farmers and ranchers across the U.S. depend upon the WTO’s international system of trade rules to facilitate growth in agricultural trade. We may not always appreciate WTO delays or decisions, but it is critical for the U.S. to remain engaged with the WTO in a leadership role. Exports are fundamental to the success of U.S. agriculture and the WTO helps to create a level playing field for trade.”
“20% of all U.S.-grown potatoes are exported around the world,” said Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council. “A modern strong WTO is essential to maintaining these vital markets.”
During the first two decades of WTO, gross sales in goods have nearly quadrupled. However, WTO members’ import duties have diminished by an aggregate of 15 per cent. Exceeding half of the world trade is currently tariff-free. The WTO supports U.S. agriculture producers and exporters Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) treatment in 163 countries, rendering more than 80 per cent of the worldwide economy. Resumed U.S. membership and vital assistance will support to ensure that necessary reforms are tackled. It will also allow the WTO to proceed to play a significant and potent role in the economic growth of the United States and our trading allies.
