USTR Meeting with Newhouse Pt 2
I’m Bob Larson. Ag Ambassador Gregg Doud, from the U.S. Trade Representative’s office, paid a visit to our state last week and found time to meet with U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse.
The 4th District Republican says they talked over many trade agreements with China taking up much that, but they also talked about the importance of talks with the U.K. and the European Union in particular …
NEWHOUSE … “The E.U. has a lot of non-tariff trade barriers in place with us and that’s a difficult situation because they’re protecting their own agricultural industries to an extent that we now have a huge trade deficit with the E.U.”
But, Newhouse says talks with the U.K. have taken on new importance …
NEWHOUSE … “Probably more optimism as it relates to the U.K. as they leave the European Union. I’m optimistic that we’ll be able to make some changes there to improve that trading relationship, make it more of a level playing field.”
But then, Newhouse says the discussion circled back around …
NEWHOUSE … “The big, what is it, the 900-pound gorilla in the room, is China and, frankly, there was a lot of optimism about the progress that’s been made in negotiating a trade deal with China, particularly this Phase-1 where they’re committed to purchasing upwards of $80-billions worth of agricultural products from the United States over the next two years.”
Listen tomorrow for more on this meeting with the USTR.
