U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with Julie Callahan, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Agricultural Affairs and Commodity Policy, in a Senate Finance Committee hearing. They discussed the need to expand market access for farmers and ranchers and protect America’s beef industry.
Watch the full interview HERE.
Daines asked Callahan about increasing U.S. market access in China:
Daines: Dr. Callahan, thank you for your years of service at USTR and your willingness to serve in this position. You will hit the ground running, which will we need at this moment here on behalf of our producers across America. I do greatly appreciate the work you’ve done alongside Ambassador Greer as well as President Trump to put American agriculture at the forefront of these ongoing and encouraging trade negotiations that we’re hearing about as we speak here over in Asia. Dr. Callahan, you were the senior director of Agricultural Affairs at USTR when we finally lifted the ban on beef with the China market and opened that China export market up to American producers in 2017. I remember well when I went over to China, brought along some wonderful steaks from one of my producers from the Miles City, Montana area, and gave them to the premier and told him, this is the best beef in the world. In fact, I told him that Australian beef, which was in the market there, had a distinct kangaroo flavor, and he’ll really enjoy when he finally gets to taste Montana beef and U.S. beef. By opening up that market, the second largest beef import market in the world, ranchers were able to export cuts that were not as valuable in the United States, but do that at a premium. And after years of negative margins, of drought, of challenges during COVID, Montana cattlemen have just started to finally turn a profit, finally be able to make their payments to the banks for the loans they have for some of the land that they own. This is a win for producers. It’s also a win for consumers. Profitability helps ensure that we have a secure and durable food supply and will help grow our herd size that will bring down consumer costs over time. Enhanced export markets and not market distorting imports from Argentina are a large part of that equation. Unfortunately, China has put in place serious trade barriers and beef exports to China have plummeted since March. Foreign competitors, sadly, are filling that void in our absence, and they’re undercutting our American ranchers. Dr. Callahan, are we making any progress in reopening the China market, the second largest beef export market in the world, or finding additional markets for U.S. beef?
Callahan: If confirmed, I am committed to reopening China’s market to U.S. beef.
Daines: I remember distinctly, then-Senator David Perdue and I went to Beijing and were helping President Trump and the administration finalize that Phase One trade deal. And I’m very happy to see Ambassador Purdue on the ground there in Beijing. He understands the markets there and, of course, is a huge advocate for the President and his policies.
Daines and Callahan also discussed market access in Japan & South Korea:
Daines: I want to just close with Japan and South Korea. They are some of our staunchest allies in East Asia. They’re also major purchases of Montana wheat. Our wheat farmers are struggling. They tell me time and time again they need more access to the export markets. 95 percent of the world’s consumers live outside the United States. The future of American agriculture is access to these markets. Dr. Callahan, has the U.S. wheat benefited in the recent framework agreement with Japan, and can we expect more positive results with South Korea?
Callahan: In terms of our agreements on reciprocal trade negotiations, we’re really pushing for three areas of progress. One is lowering tariffs on U.S. agricultural goods. The second is eliminating unjustified non-tariff barriers. Those are really the core areas of negotiation. And the third is seeking purchase commitments from countries that choose to do so. And U.S. wheat is one of the commodities that a number of countries are committing. They’re signing MOUs with the private sector and making plans to import more U.S. wheat to benefit U.S. wheat growers.
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Contact: Matt Lloyd, Gabby Wiggins