Political Quotes

“I think it sets a pattern for all of us and for American agriculture. The resolution is really very straightforward. It expresses the sense of Congress that liberalization of trade and agriculture should be a top priority in any negotiation between the U.S. and European Union on a trade agreement. Agriculture has a unique role in our export economy. While the total U.S. trade position has been in deficit since 1971, U.S. agricultural exports have consistently been in surplus. Millions of Americans find their employment because of our agricultural exports. About 40 percent of American agricultural commodities are exported. The European Union has an agricultural policy, though, that is one of the most archaic in the world. The Common Agricultural Policy and free market capitalism really are mutually exclusive. They spend billions of dollars subsidizing their agriculture products and exports. This, of course, disrupts our ability to trade with the European community.”