The Obama administration announced eight steps to boost exports by rural businesses, including “reverse trade missions” that bring foreign business officials into the United States as well as an effort to double the number of rural businesses that take part in traditional trade missions overseas. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the announcement was the result of workshops held over the past year in rural America. “Exports have been a key driver in our economic comeback,” said Deputy Commerce Secretary Bruce Andrews.
During a teleconference, administration officials also called for congressional support of the 12-nation Trans Pacific Partnership trade pact that is in the final stages of negotiation, and passage of legislation guaranteeing a prompt vote on trade agreements with no amendments allowed. “We believe TPP will support additional jobs and growth in the United States,” said Celia Munoz, director of the White House Policy Council. “It is important for the United States to be at the table, setting terms,” she said, or else China may dominate trade rules in Asia, where the number of middle-class consumers is growing rapidly.
The National Farmers Union, the second-largest U.S. farm group, opposes “fast track” votes on trade agreements and is skeptical of TPP.