NFU Statement: Salazar to Lead Interior Department — 12|18|08
Friday, January 16, 2009
Fair Trade vs. Free Trade
NFU believes fair trade agreements should level the playing field with America’s trading partners. America’s family farmers and ranchers should not have to compete with cheap, lower quality imports from countries that pay little or no attention to environmental and labor standards, and who manipulate currency levels at will to benefit trading arrangements.
For example, the nations included in the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) represent small populations and limited incomes with which to purchase U.S. farm products. U.S. exports to CAFTA countries represent less than 2.8 percent of our exports while their exports amount to more than 5 percent of our imports. 
