Issue Position: Trade

Issue Position

Issue Position: Trade

As the former chairman and now ranking Republican of the Senate Finance Committee, I play a key role when it comes to shaping trade legislation and influencing international trade negotiations. During my chairmanship of the Finance Committee, Congress passed implementing bills for trade agreements covering twelve countries. As the senior senator from Iowa , who also serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee, I also stay significantly involved in trade issues affecting agriculture.

I make no bones about it. The health of rural is linked to international trade. Approximately one-third of acres are planted for export. Agricultural exports make up roughly one-fourth of farm cash receipts. All along the food chain, from farmers, to suppliers and shippers, international trade boosts prosperity for American agriculture. That goes for farm machinery manufacturers, too.

That's why I work so hard to forge trade agreements that will increase market access for U.S. farm goods abroad, end trade-distorting subsidies, break down non-tariff trade barriers (Korean Beef Rules, Feb. 8, 2007) and fight discriminatory import taxes ( Mexico corn syrup, July 28, 2006).

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