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Schmitt, Smith say more trade markets needed for U.S. agriculture

Trade is top-of-mind as some U.S. lawmakers meet with farmers during the August recess.

U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt from Missouri tells Brownfield producers have been telling him they want more trade deals and new markets.

“Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe was just in Panama, that’s great,” he says. “President Trump is very focused on trade. I think you’ve seen what what the progress you made in Cambodia, Australia, opening up the markets.”

Schmitt says he’s optimistic China is on track with its recent purchase commitments. And while China is an important customer of U.S. ag products, he says the United States also needs to develop markets in other places.

“China may go elsewhere and we gotta be prepared for that.”

U.S. Congressman Jason Smith from Missouri, who is also chairman of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, told attendees at Delta Days expanding export markets is important as farmers deal with high input costs and low commodity prices.

“Once we continue to open up those markets, our commodity prices, if we need our commodity prices to increase.”

Hear Brownfield’s interview with U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt.