SSGA staff participates in tariff and trade policy event with US Senators

Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Chris Coons (D-DE) came together June 13 to discuss their views on the use of tariffs as a leverage in trade disputes and negotiations, and their legislation, the Import Tax Relief Act. This was created as an exclusion process from tariffs on Chinese goods and is meant to provide relief to American consumers, farmers and firms impacted by the tariffs.

The event was sponsored by the Washington International Trade Association (WITA).

“I say that there is a place for tariffs but not every tariff has a place,” Lankford said. “Where are we trying to go with tariffs? We need progress, we don’t want reciprocal high tariffs with China.”

The Senators showed a bipartisan push to discuss trade and remedy the situation.

“We needed as a nation to go after China,” Coons said. “I’m concerned that tariffs are being used as a tool of economic political policy and it’s unjustified…The outcome of the next election won’t mean a thing, we are all together that China needs to improve its trade practices. Do a deal now.”

Panel discussion members, including Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) Executive Director Eric Wenberg, deliberated the effects of tariffs and trade policies on U.S. firms, farmers, workers and employers. Other panel participants included Laura M. Baughman, president of the Trade Partnership and Trade Partnership Worldwide, LLC, and Guy Harari, president of the Adisseo North & Central America.

The discussion was moderated by Nicole Bivens-Collinson, president of the International Trade and Government Relations, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.

Wenberg relayed SSGA’s focus as a farm-to-table solution for its members growing, loading and exporting identity-preserved (IP) products directly from rural America to destinations abroad.

“Our members face more uncertainty and cost with the transport of goods,” Wenberg said. “A significant market instability in container shipping adds cost and makes shipment bookings difficult. It’s hard enough to find an empty container to fill and schedule out of North Dakota, or Minnesota, or Ohio on a good day.”

Videos of the discussions are posted and can be viewed here.