WTO Proposal - What Others Are Saying

U.S. Proposal for Global Agricultural Trade Reform

Supportive Statements on the U.S. Proposal - Congressional, Private Sector and International

CONGRESSIONAL RESPONSE

Congressman Cal Dooley (D-CA)	"I am pleased with the leadership the Administration has demonstrated by introducing a bold plan for the upcoming round of agricultural negotiations in the WTO. I applaud their efforts to eliminate export subsidies, increase market access for U.S. products and significantly reduce domestic, trade-distorting agricultural subsidies. The successful adoption of the U.S. proposals will go a long way to level the trade playing field and will be good news not only for the producers I represent in California's Central San Joaquin Valley, but for all of America's farmers and ranchers."



Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee	"The comprehensive U.S. agricultural negotiating proposal announced today is a major step forward in the effort to open highly protected world agricultural markets. This forward-looking proposal gives the United States the opportunity to lead in the all-important WTO negotiations that are underway now in Geneva. Finally, despite the merits of this ambitious negotiating proposal, we won't be in a position to effectively pursue these initiatives at the negotiating table until Congress finally acts to renew the President's Trade Promotion Authority. Every day that goes by without an agreement between House and Senate conferees on pending TPA legislation is another setback for export dependent American agriculture."


Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee	"I am pleased that the Administration has taken a strong stance with regard to the next round of agricultural trade negotiations at the WTO. It's high time for the U.S. to aggressively pursue the elimination of trade barriers. The U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have set forth a strong proposal that targets these trade distorting policies while maintaining a strong domestic U.S. farm policy. This is a good start toward leveling the playing field for U.S. producers."



Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee	"I applaud the strong proposal that U.S. negotiators intend to put forward at the next round of agricultural trade discussions in Geneva. One out of every three acres planted in this country end up as exports, therefore it is crucial that the U.S. government continue to be an advocate for opening world agricultural markets. This proposal underscores the consistent U.S. commitment to policy reform in agriculture, while recognizing the legitimate desire of countries to provide support to their farmers and rural communities in ways that do not distort production or trade."



Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS)	"The opportunity to compete in world markets on a level playing field is the hope of every Kansas farmer. I believe that Ambassador Zoellick and the President understand this desire and recognize that we must move ahead. This is an initiative that confirms our nation's commitment to free trade and agriculture market development for our farmers."



Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE)	"The Administration's plan demonstrates that America is still the leader in global trade. This proposal would be a tremendous boost to our agricultural producers, who need more and better opportunities to compete in foreign markets. This plan would encourage more fairness to the world agricultural trading system and strengthen the rules of trade."



Senator John Breaux (D-LA)	"I am pleased that the Bush Administration is going forward with more aggressive agricultural reforms in the current WTO negotiations. Agriculture remains critical to our nation's security, our economic growth, and our safe and abundant food supply. These WTO negotiations must result in strong trade protections that benefit and protect Louisiana farmers."



Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN)	"The U.S. proposed to the World Trade Organization announced yesterday is a move in the right direction in securing unfettered access to foreign markets for our farmers. I applaud the leadership of Ambassador Zoellick and Ambassador Johnson and the rest of the American delegation in launching a new WTO round and in presenting this proposal. The tariff and non-tariff trade barriers which impede the ability of U.S. farmers to export their products must be addressed."



Congressman Charles W. Stenholm (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee	"The comprehensive U.S. proposal for trade reform is the next step towards creating a more level playing field for U.S. agricultural producers. I am encouraged by and commend the leadership that is shown by putting forward this proposal. I look forward to working with U.S. Trade Representative Zoellick and Secretary Veneman in Geneva on meaningful reform for agricultural trade."



Congressman Tom Osborne (R-NE)	"I have been pleased with the commitment USTR Zoellick and Ambassador Johnson have demonstrated to agriculture and their efforts on behalf of American agricultural producers. I will continue to work with them and monitor the process."



Congressman Mike Simpson (R-ID), Co-Chair of the Congressional Trade Caucus for Farmers and Ranchers	"The proposal brought forward today is the first step in achieving equity in agriculture trade, spurring export growth for U.S. producers, and obtaining fairness for subsidies and import restrictions across the globe. For too long, U.S. farmers and ranchers have been at a disadvantage to huge foreign export subsidies and onerous import restrictions abroad. I look forward to working with USTR Zoellick and Ambassador Johnson toward achieving equitable agricultural trade agreements in the future."



Congressman Bob Etheridge (D-NC)	"The U.S. proposal to the WTO rights many of the wrongs that American farmers have faced for years on the world market. It's high time that we level the playing field and give our farmers the opportunity to compete on the world market, so that they can survive in a global economy."

PRIVATE SECTOR RESPONSE

Bob Stallman, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation "Our Administration has taken the lead in the agricultural negotiations and sent the message around the world that trade-distorting practices must be eliminated. Farm Bureau applauds the President and his trade team for putting forth a strong proposal that will strengthen U.S. agriculture and global farm security."

Jaime Castenada, Vice President of Trade Policy, National Milk Producers Federation "We are pleased by the U.S. proposal's consistency with the negotiating priorities submitted by NMPF calling for fair trade. NMPF firmly believes that the U.S. must adhere to a comprehensive negotiating strategy when striving for worldwide agricultural trade reforms. We are encouraged that the Administration's proposal will not seek increased market access or reductions in domestic supports for the U.S., independent from the elimination of export subsidies and the harmonization of tariffs by other nations."

David Van Oss, Chairman, USA Rice Federation "The U.S. proposal will benefit the U.S. rice industry because tariff cuts will be focused on countries with very high duties like Japan and the EU rather than simply making the same percentage cut for all countries. This proposal levels the playing field by reducing and capping high levels of trade-distorting domestic supports in countries like the European Union and Japan."

American Oilseed Coalition "The American Oilseed Coalition, which includes the American Soybean Coalition, the National Cottonseed Products Association, the National Oilseed Processors Association, the National Sunflower Association, and the U.S. Canola Association, strongly supports the Administration's WTO Agriculture proposal for the Doha Development Agenda to continue the reform of trade in agriculture begun in the Uruguay Round. The prosperity of our export driven coalition of producers and processors is tied to continued growth in worldwide income and demand, which is stimulated by trade liberalization and market access gains. The Doha Round is the only opportunity to achieve these objectives."

Dave Roper, President, National Pork Producers Council "The U.S. proposal is outstanding. It calls for our competitors to drastically reduce their tariffs, eliminate their export subsidies, and significantly cut their trade-distorting domestic support. If the U.S. is to make its agriculture proposal the capstone of the modalities and keep the negotiations on pace, our trading partners must know that U.S. leadership is based on and supported by authority from Congress."

Kendall W. Keith, President, National Grain and Feed Association and Gary C. Martin, President and CEO, North American Export Grain Association "It is time for the global agricultural industry to reap the same benefits of improved growth and economic performance from free trade enjoyed by other economic sectors. The only way for that to happen is to substantially shrink the institutional barriers to trade, and the package of U.S. proposals announced today sends a loud and important signal to all WTO member countries that the United States is serious about fair and equitable changes to the global trading system that will spur growth and development around the world."

Wythe Willey, President, NCBA "NCBA endorses the Administration's efforts to obtain a commercially meaningful package that creates a level playing field for agriculture."

Chuck Lambert, Chief Economist, NCBA "This proposal calls for an ambitious reform of global trade as we know it. America's cattle producers would greatly benefit from increased export opportunities, and opening up these markets would effectively balance the inequities within the current system of international trade."

Henry Jo Von Tungeln, U.S. Wheat Associates and Wheat Export Trade Education Committee Chairman "The proposal delivers the clearest possible message that successful WTO negotiations can only be achieved if there is a level playing field that is fair to America's farmers as well as to our trading partners, customers, and competitors."

Tim Hume, President, National Corn Growers Association "We need a level playing field for our commodities to compete in the world market. The NCGA supports the comprehensive negotiating position of the U.S. government in the WTO negotiations. The export of corn products is vital to the nation's economy, its balance of payments, and the profitability of corn production. The development and maintenance of fair and open global trade practices and policies are essential."

Audrae Erickson, President, Corn Refiners Association "The U.S. proposal represents an important step forward in our long desired march toward further agricultural trade reform. Increased market access of U.S. agricultural products into foreign markets throughout the world will improve the bottom lines of every aspect in our sector."

Dr. Rhona Applebaum, Executive Vice President, National Food Processors Association "It is clear that open markets and free trade are critical to our economic future, and the processed food industry has an important stake in these negotiations. NFPA joins the U.S. agriculture community with a strong endorsement of an aggressive U.S. proposal that appropriately targets many of the current market inequalities."

Mary Sophos, Senior Vice President, Grocery Manufacturers of America "The USTR proposal is consistent with GMA's goal for increased global market access for processed food and beverage products. We are particularly pleased with the proposed formula for tariff reductions which will work to eliminate the tariff peaks and tariff escalation that hamper our exports."

Dalton Yancey, Chairman, American Sugar Alliance "American sugar producers are highly efficient and welcome the opportunity to compete on a genuinely level playing field. The free trade objective is not achievable, however, as long as the vast and complex array of distortive government policies and practices that have resulted in pervasive dumping into the world sugar market continue to remain in place. The Administration's approach is an important step forward in attacking this problem."

Dwain Ford, President, American Soybean Association "ASA supports the Administration's position that these proposals must be viewed as a comprehensive package that will allow the United States to play a leadership role in the negotiations to fulfill each of the objectives set forth in the Doha Declaration."

Tom Suber, President, U.S. Dairy Export Council "USDEC is very happy with the proposal. The negotiating priorities outlined in the U.S. Trade Representative's plan are consistent with the items submitted by the U.S. dairy industry calling for equitable and fair trade initiatives. We are especially pleased that the Administration emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive negotiating package for worldwide agricultural trade reforms."

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

The Honorable Mark Vaile, Trade Minister of Australia	"Australian farmers stand to benefit significantly from U.S. agricultural reform proposals for the World Trade Organization negotiations. If adopted, the proposals would mean significant improvements in market access with considerable tariff reform in the most highly protected sectors of world agriculture such as dairy, beef, and rice. The U.S. proposals clearly demonstrate its commitment to engage seriously in WTO negotiations on agriculture."



The Honorable Milinda Moragoda, Minister of Economic Reforms, Science and Technology and Deputy Minister of Policy Development Implementation of Sri Lanka	"The Government of Sri Lanka welcomes the comprehensive U.S. proposal to reform global agriculture in the WTO negotiations. Agriculture is critically important to the prosperity of developing countries and the success of the WTO negotiations on the Doha Development Agenda. The government of Sri Lanka looks forward to working with the United States in the WTO negotiations in order to achieve the declared objectives."



The Honorable Jim Sutton, Minister of Agriculture, Trade Negotiations, Rural Affairs, and Biosecurity of New Zealand	"Proposals for international agricultural trade reform by the United States are bold and to be applauded. If these reforms could be achieved, they would go a long way to addressing the huge distortions our farmers face every day. Major players such as the United States have an important role to ensure that meaningful reform will be achieved. We look to all members to take a similarly bold stance."

Main Page: U.S. Proposal for Global Agricultural Trade Reform

Background on the current round of WTO negotiations

Last modified: Friday, November 18, 2005

Bob Stallman, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation	"Our Administration has taken the lead in the agricultural negotiations and sent the message around the world that trade-distorting practices must be eliminated. Farm Bureau applauds the President and his trade team for putting forth a strong proposal that will strengthen U.S. agriculture and global farm security."



Jaime Castenada, Vice President of Trade Policy, National Milk Producers Federation	"We are pleased by the U.S. proposal's consistency with the negotiating priorities submitted by NMPF calling for fair trade. NMPF firmly believes that the U.S. must adhere to a comprehensive negotiating strategy when striving for worldwide agricultural trade reforms. We are encouraged that the Administration's proposal will not seek increased market access or reductions in domestic supports for the U.S., independent from the elimination of export subsidies and the harmonization of tariffs by other nations."



David Van Oss, Chairman, USA Rice Federation	"The U.S. proposal will benefit the U.S. rice industry because tariff cuts will be focused on countries with very high duties like Japan and the EU rather than simply making the same percentage cut for all countries. This proposal levels the playing field by reducing and capping high levels of trade-distorting domestic supports in countries like the European Union and Japan."



American Oilseed Coalition	"The American Oilseed Coalition, which includes the American Soybean Coalition, the National Cottonseed Products Association, the National Oilseed Processors Association, the National Sunflower Association, and the U.S. Canola Association, strongly supports the Administration's WTO Agriculture proposal for the Doha Development Agenda to continue the reform of trade in agriculture begun in the Uruguay Round. The prosperity of our export driven coalition of producers and processors is tied to continued growth in worldwide income and demand, which is stimulated by trade liberalization and market access gains. The Doha Round is the only opportunity to achieve these objectives."



Dave Roper, President, National Pork Producers Council	"The U.S. proposal is outstanding. It calls for our competitors to drastically reduce their tariffs, eliminate their export subsidies, and significantly cut their trade-distorting domestic support. If the U.S. is to make its agriculture proposal the capstone of the modalities and keep the negotiations on pace, our trading partners must know that U.S. leadership is based on and supported by authority from Congress."



Kendall W. Keith, President, National Grain and Feed Association and Gary C. Martin, President and CEO, North American Export Grain Association	"It is time for the global agricultural industry to reap the same benefits of improved growth and economic performance from free trade enjoyed by other economic sectors. The only way for that to happen is to substantially shrink the institutional barriers to trade, and the package of U.S. proposals announced today sends a loud and important signal to all WTO member countries that the United States is serious about fair and equitable changes to the global trading system that will spur growth and development around the world."



Wythe Willey, President, NCBA	"NCBA endorses the Administration's efforts to obtain a commercially meaningful package that creates a level playing field for agriculture."



Chuck Lambert, Chief Economist, NCBA	"This proposal calls for an ambitious reform of global trade as we know it. America's cattle producers would greatly benefit from increased export opportunities, and opening up these markets would effectively balance the inequities within the current system of international trade."



Henry Jo Von Tungeln, U.S. Wheat Associates and Wheat Export Trade Education Committee Chairman	"The proposal delivers the clearest possible message that successful WTO negotiations can only be achieved if there is a level playing field that is fair to America's farmers as well as to our trading partners, customers, and competitors."



Tim Hume, President, National Corn Growers Association	"We need a level playing field for our commodities to compete in the world market. The NCGA supports the comprehensive negotiating position of the U.S. government in the WTO negotiations. The export of corn products is vital to the nation's economy, its balance of payments, and the profitability of corn production. The development and maintenance of fair and open global trade practices and policies are essential."



Audrae Erickson, President, Corn Refiners Association	"The U.S. proposal represents an important step forward in our long desired march toward further agricultural trade reform. Increased market access of U.S. agricultural products into foreign markets throughout the world will improve the bottom lines of every aspect in our sector."



Dr. Rhona Applebaum, Executive Vice President, National Food Processors Association	"It is clear that open markets and free trade are critical to our economic future, and the processed food industry has an important stake in these negotiations. NFPA joins the U.S. agriculture community with a strong endorsement of an aggressive U.S. proposal that appropriately targets many of the current market inequalities."



Mary Sophos, Senior Vice President, Grocery Manufacturers of America	"The USTR proposal is consistent with GMA's goal for increased global market access for processed food and beverage products. We are particularly pleased with the proposed formula for tariff reductions which will work to eliminate the tariff peaks and tariff escalation that hamper our exports."



Dalton Yancey, Chairman, American Sugar Alliance	"American sugar producers are highly efficient and welcome the opportunity to compete on a genuinely level playing field. The free trade objective is not achievable, however, as long as the vast and complex array of distortive government policies and practices that have resulted in pervasive dumping into the world sugar market continue to remain in place. The Administration's approach is an important step forward in attacking this problem."



Dwain Ford, President, American Soybean Association	"ASA supports the Administration's position that these proposals must be viewed as a comprehensive package that will allow the United States to play a leadership role in the negotiations to fulfill each of the objectives set forth in the Doha Declaration."



Tom Suber, President, U.S. Dairy Export Council	"USDEC is very happy with the proposal. The negotiating priorities outlined in the U.S. Trade Representative's plan are consistent with the items submitted by the U.S. dairy industry calling for equitable and fair trade initiatives. We are especially pleased that the Administration emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive negotiating package for worldwide agricultural trade reforms."