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Indiana Senator urging U.S. intervention with Colombia over potential subsidies investigation

A U.S. Senator from Indiana says reports that Colombia is considering an investigation into U.S. corn subsidies is concerning.

Republican Todd Young says Colombian officials are misguided in their assertion the subsidies aren’t consistent with the existing trade agreement between the two countries.

“My objective here is to speak some sense to the administration and encourage them to vigorously advocate on behalf of Hoosier and American corn producers,” he says.

Young is one of 39 members of Congress that have signed a letter urging Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to intervene. He says any disruption to trade could be devastating for U.S. corn producers.

“We feed much of their population. They need both our protein and our various other starch-based commodities. They depend on us for these commodities that lower their food prices,” he says.

Young says he intends to reach out directly to Colombian authorities and expects a response soon from the USDA and the U.S. Trade Representative.

Indiana ranks fifth in the U.S. for corn exports. Colombia is among the top five export markets for U.S. corn annually.

AUDIO: U.S. Senator Todd Young, of Indiana