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Ricketts says several countries are interested in U.S. ag products

A U.S. Senator says several countries are willing to negotiate with the United States to allow more ag products into their markets.

Pete Ricketts of Nebraska tells Brownfield countries have said they will address tariffs and other trade barriers. “One of the things that we always want to emphasize to countries around the world when it comes to US agriculture is it’s the highest quality in the world. It’s the safest agriculture. You’re going to be able to buy around the world.”

Earlier this week, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik said the sooner countries come to the table before the 90-day tariff deadline, the better the deal they’ll get. “These kind of deals used to take two or three years and we’re trying to get them done in a month, which is, you know, just not the ordinary DNA of trading relationships between countries.”

The 90-day pause on reciprocal tariff for several countries, including the U.S.’s three largest ag export customers, ends on July, 8.

University of Nebraska ag policy specialist Brad Lubben says it’s unclear whether the President can approve agreements since trade promotion authority (TPA) has expired. “The President has talked about doing deals with individual countries and reaching agreements arguing that the discussions to this point don’t require Congressional approval.”

TPA is legislative procedure that gives the President the authority to negotiate trade agreements with other countries. It expired in July of 2021 after it was used to implement the USMCA agreement.  

The U.S. has reached an agreement in principle with the U.K. and is working on finalizing a deal with India.