The state of trade in the United States has raised some question marks in the last year. On Tuesday the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing with United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to get an update on what the Trump Administration is doing.
Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa chairs the Senate Finance Committee. In this morning?s talk with Ag reporters, the Senator said these hearings are necessary to keep the lines of communication open between the White House and the Congress.
At the hearing, Senator Grassley said while the United States has been sitting on the sidelines of trade agreements, the European Union (EU) and Japan have been moving forward. Grassley again called for Agriculture to be part of the EU negotiations.
Grassley also voiced his concern about the use of tariffs to achieve trade goals. Grassley says the costs of these tariffs is being passed to American businesses and consumers to the tune of $22 billion dollars.
There have been concerns facing the United States ? Mexico ? Canada Agreement (USMCA) in terms of enforceability and dispute settlements. Ambassador Lighthizer addressed those concerns and committed to working with Congress to beef them up as needed.
You can watch the full hearing and read transcripts here.
