Wheat and TTP

Wheat growers and TTP. In the last few days, I have updated you with the not so surprising disappointment on the part of the Idaho cattle Association, and Idaho Dairyman's Association with respect to the president pulling the plug on the transpacific partnership. Since wheat is so huge in the Northwest, I thought I would find out about their position. I talked to Idaho Wheat Commission researcher Kathy Wilson and she had this to say. “I go to all of national meetings and the position statement on TTP is on the website, National Association of wheat growers.” Okay off to the web we go and here's what they say: “We know that securing positive benefits for American farmers, ranchers, and workers in trade will be a priority in your Administration. This includes enforcing existing agreements so that other countries abide by their commitments, as well as expanding market access for U.S. producers through new agreements. As the Trump Administration assembles its team and policies, U.S. agricultural trade interests must be maintained, not only in existing markets but by expanding access to new markets,” wrote the groups. “Existing markets include China, Canada, and Mexico— U.S. farmers’ first, second, and third largest foreign customers. U.S. agricultural exports in FY-2016 were nearly $27 billion to China, over $24 billion to Canada, and nearly $19 billion to Mexico. Disrupting U.S. agricultural exports to these nations would have devastating consequences for our farmers and the many American processing and transportation industries and workers supported by these exports.”