Need to Move Forward with NAFTA Discussions

Need to Move Forward with NAFTA Discussions

At yesterday's Farm Foundation Forum discussing the Future of the North American Trade Agreement, one of the panel members Bob Stallman, the former president of the American Farm Bureau Federation suggested that all three countries need to sit down and discuss what is working well and focus on fixing those issues that are not working.

Stallman: "If there is some rough points, renegotiation some of the rough points but don't try to do a wholesale renegotiation of everything that has been put in place and at the same time don't go backwards. We need to go forward. We need to go forward with trade. That is true for agriculture and it is true for other sectors of the country. Let's figure out a way to make it better, to work better, to improve trade flows and then go forward from there."

Stallman continues with what the ag industry needs to do to make that happen.

Stallman: " All industries are going to have to start stepping up I think a little more than what has happened so far in terms of talking to the administration, talking to Congress. Saying, 'We need this to happen, in this fashion. We don't want to destroy what we have — maybe we can improve what we have — but let's not do anything dumb.' I think the industry really needs to make that case with our government leaders — the administration and the congress. But industry also needs to make a greater public case. In this world that we live in with the social media and the blogsphere, industry needs to be involved in that space too. Making the case why trade matters and why trade is good."

Previous ReportBenefits of AI
Next ReportEver Watchful and Vigilant Customs and Border Inspection