Politico | US farm groups press Donald Trump to remain in World Trade Organization
- Industry players call for continued US membership while pursuing reforms to strengthen rules-based global trading system
- Move is sign of how much Trump has changed conversation around US trade policy
This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Doug Palmer on politico.com on September 24, 2020.
More than 60 US farm groups have urged the Trump administration and Congress to remain in the World Trade Organization, just weeks before a presidential election that could give Donald Trump four more years to carry out his upending trade policy.
“We may not always appreciate WTO delays or decisions, but it is critical for the US to remain engaged with the WTO in a leadership role,” Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, said in a statement.
“Exports are fundamental to the success of US agriculture and the WTO helps to create a level playing field for trade.”
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The farm groups outlined their position in a letter to US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and leaders of key congressional committees. It calls for continued US membership while pursuing a number of reforms to strengthen the rules-based global trading system.
Signatories include the 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.
It follows an aborted effort in Congress this year to vote on withdrawal, as well as the recent revelation that Trump threatened to withdraw from the WTO in a private conversation with then-Director General Roberto Azevédo. That was consistent with public statements Trump has made.
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The fact that US farm groups felt compelled to reiterate their support for membership in the WTO shows how much Trump has changed the conversation around US trade policy.
The US election is on November 3. If re-elected, Trump will hold the reins of US trade policy until January 2025.
If defeated, he will have nearly 80 days to take any final trade policy actions.
Read Politico’s story here.
