U.S. House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX) on Feb. 19 applauded new trade deals negotiated by the Trump administration that will address barriers to U.S. sorghum and cotton exports.
“President Trump continues to have the backs of American farmers, and his latest trade agreements are delivering real results for American agriculture,” Rep. Arrington said.
Specifically, the congressman said he supports the framework released Feb. 6 by the White House for an interim agreement between the United States and India regarding reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade, as well as the Feb. 9 reciprocal trade agreement between the U.S. and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
The interim agreement with India includes a reduction of the country’s 50-percent sorghum tariff, while the agreement with Bangladesh expands the country’s cotton commitments — two key agriculture priorities that Rep. Arrington said he has advanced in partnership with the administration.
“Over the past year, I’ve been proud to work alongside President Trump and Ambassador Greer to push back against unfair trade practices across South Asia — including India’s punitive sorghum tariff and cotton barriers throughout the region,” the lawmaker said. “For too long, unfair trade barriers have put American producers at a disadvantage.”
Rep. Arrington pointed out that the president’s announcement regarding India ending its 50-percent tariff on U.S. sorghum is a major win for West Texas farmers and a critical step toward diversifying U.S. export markets away from China.
“Expanding market access and reducing barriers like these strengthens America’s farmers and reinforces our economic security,” he said.
Just as importantly, he added, Bangladesh — one of the world’s largest textile producers — has committed to purchasing more American cotton and expanding the long-term use of U.S. cotton in its fabric production.
“That means stronger demand and better prices for West Texas cotton farmers, ginners, warehouses, and shippers,” Rep. Arrington said.