WASHINGTON, D.C.– On Wednesday, March 4th, Congressman Bentz attended a Republican member-only briefing with USTR Jamieson Greer. The meeting was held in the Capitol building. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the White House’s trade policies. Ambassador Greer made brief remarks and then asked for questions.
Congressman Bentz was the fourth member to speak. He began by saying that Oregon farmers were having a historically and truly disastrous year and asked that the administration design a trade policy that would help protect the Potato, Onion, Sugar, wheat, beans, grapes, cherries, alfalfa, nurseries, and corn sectors. He called out the dumping of onions by Mexico into the U.S. market, the deluge of wine from France being imported into the U.S., the dumping of sugar from Brazil, the refusal of Canadian retail outlets to buy onions from the U.S., the very real damage being done to Oregon’s cherry industry and the opportunity that Japan might offer when it came to U.S. potato exports. He also noted the uncertainty that frequent changes in tariff amounts were creating in the utility sector and the apparel business.
The Ambassador responded by saying that he would do his best to help. He noted that action had been taken to support sugar cane and sugar beet producers. He said there was an opportunity to help with the export of fresh potatoes to Pacific Rim countries. He indicated that he needed more detail regarding the nature and causes of loss in the other sectors Congressman Bentz had mentioned and asked that his staff stand ready to receive that detail from the Congressman’s staff.
Said Congressman Bentz: “I appreciate the time, effort, and experience that Ambassador Greer brings to the job of U.S. Trade Representative. It is apparent that he is working closely with the President to create the bargaining leverage needed to open up markets for our commodities and products. Consistent with his direction, I ask that my constituents contact my office about the impact of tariffs and trade policy on their businesses. We will relay that information to Ambassador Greer.”