Issues - Agriculture International Trade
With 96 percent of the world's population living outside of the United States, Governor Bush recognizes that the future prosperity of America's farmers depends on expanding markets overseas. He is committed to free trade and will work to tear down barriers everywhere and will use every available tool to combat unfair trade practices. Governor Bush is confident that America's best is the best in the world. To lead the world on trade and open markets for U.S. farmers, Governor Bush believes we must:
-- Pass presidential trade negotiating authority so that we can negotiate new market-opening agreements: Every President since Gerald Ford has had this authority, which the Clinton-Gore Administration let expire in 1994. As yet, they have been unable to renew this important tool for trade negotiations. The lack of this authority has not only hobbled this Administration's ability to pry open foreign markets, but has undermined America's fundamental ability to lead global market-opening efforts. As President, Governor Bush will work with Congress to renew presidential trade negotiating authority.
-- Push for an ambitious agenda for the next round of global trade talks: Governor Bush believes that the next trade round should level the agricultural playing field once and for all by completely eliminating agricultural export subsidies and tariffs worldwide. He supports efforts for a so-called "single undertaking," or a big package in the next round of trade negotiations, in order to ensure maximum negotiating leverage.
-- Eliminating Barriers to Safe Food: In 1999, 50 percent of the soybeans, 40 percent of the cotton, and about one-third of the corn produced in the U.S. is genetically modified. The European Union, however, has recently imposed a moratorium on the import of new biotech crops. Additionally, despite a ruling at the World Trade Organization, the European Community continues to ban the import of U.S. beef treated with growth hormones. World Trade Organization rules clearly state that health and safety regulations must be based on sound science. As President, Governor Bush will fight to ensure that U.S. products are allowed entry into the European Union and require them to use accepted scientific principles in enacting their regulations.
-- Exempt food from unilateral trade sanctions and embargoes: Unilateral trade sanctions are rarely effective in achieving their foreign policy goals, and often force U.S. businesses and farmers to lose market share to foreign competitors. That is why Governor Bush believes that, if sanctions are used, they should be directed at the offending government, not innocent populations, and food and medicine exports should be exempt from any new unilateral sanctions.
-- China-WTO Membership: Governor Bush believes that on the right terms, admitting China to the World Trade Organization is in America's interest.
It will provide U.S. farmers, ranchers, and businesses access to a growing market, and will help introduce American values along with American products. By failing to conclude recent negotiations over China's membership in the WTO, the current Administration lost enormous opportunities for American agriculture. China was prepared to increase quotas for bulk commodities like corn and wheat, and reduce tariffs on agricultural products to levels below those of most other U.S. trading partners. Specifically, the Chinese quota on corn would have increased from 250,000 metric tons to 4.5 million metric tons per year, rising later to 7.2 million metric tons. Additionally, China would have reduced its average agricultural tariff from 40 percent to 17 percent. As President, Governor Bush will work to open the China market - and other key export markets - for America's farmers and ranchers.:
