U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) has helped secure a pledge from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), on behalf of the White House, to help Florida farmers fight unfair international trade practices.
“Florida farmers have been severely impacted by current unfair trade practices and mounting Mexican imports flooding our markets,” Rep. Buchanan said. “I want to thank Ambassador Lighthizer and the administration for hearing our concerns and committing to working with us to protect Florida farmers.”
Rep. Buchanan has worked closely with the USTR and Florida’s specialty crop farmers to level the playing field for the production and exportation of seasonal and perishable products industry, which supports nearly 100,000 Florida jobs with an economic impact in the state of more than $12 billion annually.
In a Jan. 9 letter that U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer sent to Rep. Buchanan and several other members of Congress, he wrote that the Trump administration “notes your continuing concerns” about the negative impact that unfair trading practices have had on U.S. seasonal and perishable producers.
The USTR assured the congressmen that he remains fully committed to addressing the issues and will work to ensure a timely and effective U.S. government response. He also outlined several actions the administration will take toward that goal.
Mike Joyner, president of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, on Jan. 10 praised that assurance.
“This commitment would not have been possible without Congressman Buchanan’s tireless efforts on behalf of Florida farmers over the past six months,” he said. “We look forward to continuing to work with Congressman Buchanan and the administration and remain optimistic about resolving our industry’s concerns in an effective, timely manner.”