YOUR TEXAS AGRICULTURE MINUTE

Texas farmers and ranchers need strong, reliable trade agreements

By Gary Joiner
Publisher

Congress was reminded this past week of the importance of robust trade agreements.

Such agreements grow demand and provide much-needed market certainty for Texas farmers and ranchers.

Trade opportunities with Taiwan provided the background for the discussion.

The U.S. exported $3.94 billion of agricultural products to Taiwan in fiscal year 2021. Leading domestic exports include soybeans, beef, wheat, poultry and fresh fruit. Taiwan is our country’s sixth-largest agricultural export market.

But there’s a 15% import tariff on agricultural imports to Taiwan and other non-tariff barriers on U.S. beef and pork. Those obstacles should be eliminated to increase more trade with the country.

The Biden administration must prioritize trade. Stronger, comprehensive and enforceable agreements are needed.

Robust trade agreements benefit U.S. farmers, ranchers, businesses and the many other sectors that contribute to the U.S. economy.

Without new and improved agreements, the U.S. will only fall behind, and Texas farm and ranch families will suffer the consequences.

The preceding commentary is brought to you by Texas Farm Bureau, the “Voice of Texas Agriculture.” Called “Your Texas Agriculture Minute,” TFB will issue thought-provoking editorials each week—via print and audio—to spark understanding of agriculture in the Lone Star State and its impact on each and every Texan.

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