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Trump to AFBF: Farmers need better NAFTA deal
 


NASHVILLE, Tenn. — When negotiators face off next week at trade talks in Montreal, U.S. officials will be seeking “a better deal for our country and for our farmers,” President Donald Trump pledged last week, before more than 7,000 farmers at the 99th annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

The meeting on Jan. 23 will be the sixth session of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks among Canada, Mexico and the United States.

“On NAFTA, I am working very hard to get a better deal for our country and for our famers and for our manufacturers,” Trump said. He has said in the past he would pull the country out of NAFTA if Canada and Mexico don’t agree to a major rewrite of the 24-year-old deal.

To a rousing cheer from convention attendees, he said, “When Mexico is making all that money, when Canada is making all that money, it’s not the easiest negotiation. We’re reviewing all of our trade agreements to make sure they’re fair and reciprocal. We’re going to make it fair for you again.”

“What I heard him say is that he wants fair trade and he wants reciprocal trade –that’s exactly what I’m looking for,” said Kevin Kester, president-elect of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Assoc., who sat directly in front of Trump speaking at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville.

Former Sens. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Richard Lugar (R–Ind.), co-chairs of the bipartisan Farmers for Free Trade organization, issued a joint statement in response to the speech, saying, “Rural prosperity requires robust trade particularly at a time when farm incomes are down. Rural communities depend on demand beyond U.S. borders to keep and grow rural jobs.

“That’s why,” the former lawmakers said, “we urge the administration to modernize NAFTA without withdrawing, to proceed with caution on imposing new tariffs that could hurt American farmers and to open new markets across the globe to keep pace with our competitors.

“Taking withdrawal off the table is the only way to provide American farmers and ranchers with the certainty they deserve.”

The United States has proposed that Canada cut its tariffs on imports of U.S. dairy, poultry and egg products, seeking to dismantle Canada’s supply management system – which has been a thorn in the talks – but that has been pushed back by Canada Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay, who has said, “It’s a very good system.”

Supply management is a way for Canadian farmers, specifically those who produce milk, chicken and eggs, to control and collectively negotiate price and adjust mile production to meet consumer demand. The administration has warned Canada that this system has hurt the three top-milk producing states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

In Wisconsin alone, the U.S. government says Canada’s dairy policies have hurt the state to the tune of $100 million a year in lost access to its northern neighbor.

During his 36-minute speech Trump also unveiled a major initiative designed to strengthen and expand rural high-speed broadband access throughout the country, telling farmers and ranchers they will see new internet towers throughout their rural communities.

The initiative was one of two that Trump announced; the second, a push for more economic development that so far has included the administration’s rollback of federal regulations. To date, Trump said his administration has eliminated more than 1,500 regulations across several federal agencies.

“We are witnessing a new era of patriotism, prosperity and pride – and at the forefront of this exciting new chapter is the great American farmer,” he said.

He also said he is working with Congress to pass a new 2018 farm bill that includes crop insurance, despite his proposal last May to cut 36 percent in crop insurance funding. (The 2014 farm bill includes about $8 billion a year in crop insurance subsidies.)

“I’m looking forward to working with Congress to pass a farm bill on time so that it delivers for all of you, and I support a bill that includes crop insurance – unless you don’t want me to,” Trump said.

His remarks brought the crowd to their feet with a loud cheer of support for the measure, whereupon he smiled back at the crowd and added, “I guess you like it, right? Good,” as long, sustained applause continued. If the response was less supported, he joked, “Forget it!”

In support of the speech, Randy Kron, Indiana Farm Bureau chief, said, “It was reassuring to hear President Trump recognize the contributions American farmers made to the founding of our country and the contributions they continue to make today.

“We are pleased that the President will continue to address other issues that concern farmers, including the farm bill, the rollback of WOTUS (Waters of the United States rule from the Clean Water Act), extending broadband access to rural areas and securing strong trade agreements for our nation’s farmers.”

Trump’s speech was largely supported by the crowd and by Dale Moore, the executive director of public policy at AFBF, who said, “I would say most farmers and ranchers are feeling confident in the President and more assured. The fact that the President takes time to come to our convention and talk to our members – that signals that he prioritizes agriculture.”

Dan Conston, president of the Farmers and Families First organization, thanked Trump “for standing with American farmers and committing to delivering a farm bill on time with crop insurance. That kind of commitment makes clear that he understands what the stakes are for American farmers and has their back.”

During a pause midway through his speech, Trump said, “Oh, are you happy you voted for me? You are so lucky that I gave you that privilege.” At another point, he said, “Remember, you are forgotten no more. We are fighting for our farmers and we are fighting for our country!”

Trump’s appearance before the group was the first in 25 years by a U.S. president at the AFBF’s annual convention.

1/17/2018