USDA Undersecretary for Trade and native Iowan Alexis Taylor is leading an agriculture trade mission to Japan this week as one way to boost farm exports, amid the president?s continued reluctance to do free trade deals.
Taylor is leading officials from state agriculture departments, farm groups and agribusinesses looking to expand farm exports to Japan that hit a record $14.6 billion last year.
Taylor touched on the growth potential for U.S. Ag exports through the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework at her Senate confirmation hearing.
But while good, many ag-lawmakers argue it?s not enough. South Dakota?s John Thune.
However, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack told lawmakers in April, the administration is still creating market expansion without new FTAs.
Vilsack says all of that contributed to back-to-back record agriculture exports the last two years.
