Des Moines Sun

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) questioned nominees for the U.S. Trade Representative’s office about trade policies affecting Iowa farmers during a hearing in Washington. Grassley, who serves as a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, raised concerns regarding fertilizer costs and market access for American agricultural products.

Addressing Chief Agricultural Negotiator nominee Julie Callahan and Deputy U.S. Trade Representative nominee Jeffrey Goettman, Grassley highlighted the impact of current phosphate duties on farmers. He stated, "I’ve been speaking a lot recently about the income crisis in farming, particularly in crops. Farmers are facing low commodity prices and high input costs. The second highest input cost for farmers is fertilizer. So, directing this not in the form of question but a statement to Dr. Callahan and Mr. Goettman, I know that the responsibility for this rests with the Commerce Department, not at the Trade Representative’s Office."

Grassley urged action on phosphate import restrictions: "However, I would hope that you take back to your team the message to get rid of the Biden Phosphate Duties that removed Moroccan phosphate as an option for American farmers. That represents roughly 70 percent of the global reserves of phosphate, almost making it non-accessible to American farmers."

He also addressed trade relations with China amid ongoing discussions between U.S. and Chinese leaders: "So, to you, Dr. Callahan, this question based on the fact that President Trump is meeting with President Xi [of] China: … we’re all hoping for good news from their meeting, especially on soybean exports, and I guess there’s some news on that today." Grassley continued by emphasizing barriers faced by U.S. producers: "There are many non-tariff barriers for U.S. farmers hoping to get their products sold to China, including beef producers. So, what are some of these non-tariff barriers? And how will you continue to push China to comply with rules-based trade, and even their own regulations, to allow more [American] products into China?"

Regarding North American trade agreements and dairy exports to Canada following recent resolutions on Mexico’s GMO corn issue under USMCA provisions, Grassley asked both nominees: "And for you and Mr. Goettman: as we look to reviewing the USMCA now that Mexico’s GMO corn issue is resolved, the number one issue that I hear from Iowa farmers on USMCA is getting U.S. dairy into Canada. So, for you two, is the USMCA dairy issue an enforcement issue, or are there some changes that we should push for in the review to get more dairy into Canada?"