Trump tosses TPP in the trash

by | Jan 24, 2017 | 5 Ag Stories, News

by Ben Nuelle

For several months, we?ve been reporting on the Trans Pacific Partnership. It?s a 12-country trade deal along the Pacific rim. Monday President Trump pulled out of the agreement.

Trump says he can get better bilateral trade agreements rather than TPP.

Senator Chuck Grassley says this sends a good signal.

?He is telling the country even though I don?t like TTP, I like trade and we need to negotiate down barriers. Last week, I stressed to Mr. Lighthizer, who is the nominee for office of trade representative, that agriculture must not be forgotten as it begins to view the status of our trade agreements.?

Grassley adds there are certainly countries who take advantage of trade rules against our country.

?And ignore their obligations under trade agreements that are bilateral, multilateral, and WTO. I look forward to working with the administration to fix these wrongs. I will remain adamant that the U.S. Ag industry is at the forefront of the administration?s review of current agreements as well as any future negotiations.?

Ag groups such as Farm Bureau and American Soybean Association expressed disappointment in Trump. However, a staunch opponent of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement, National Farmers Union (NFU) applauded the Trump Administration?s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the TPP trade agreement.