Max Baucus: “I regret I was unable to vote on the Iran Nonproliferation Act and two judicial nominations, but it was necessary for me…”

“I regret I was unable to vote on the Iran Nonproliferation Act and two judicial nominations, but it was necessary for me to be in Montana today. I traveled back to Montana to join with Montana farmers, Montana business people, and Montana government officials, and Montana economic development experts in Great Falls and Helena to greet a high-level Chinese agriculture purchasing delegation. This group is led by the Chairman of COFCO, the China National Cereals, Oils, and Feedstuffs Import and Export Corporation, and includes senior Chinese government officials. We provided this Chinese delegation with information about the opportunities Montana presents and educated them about the high quality and competitive agricultural products and value-added food products in our state. I have been working for over 20 years to expand trade and open markets overseas for Montana and American agricultural commodities, value-added agricultural products, manufactured goods, and services. Increasing exports brings benefits to our farmers, our workers, and our communities in Montana. China, in particular, represents a market of almost unlimited potential. I have worked hard for the last 10 years to expand trading relations between the United States and China. This year, I am leading the fight to grant China Permanent Normal Trade Relations status, PNTR. The full implementation of this agricultural agreement is a vital part of this effort to bring China into the WTO.”