▶ 0:04:24Good morning. The subcommittee on agriculture, rural development, food and drug administration and related agencies will come to order. I want to welcome everyone to this oversight hearing with usda's foreign agricultural service. We're pleased to be joined by the undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, luke lindberg. Mr. lindberg, welcome to the subcommittee. I look forward to hearing about your priorities for the coming year and the work that usda is doing to promote trade and open new markets for U.S. commodities.
▶ 0:04:51With nearly 100 overseas offices covering more than 180 countries, the foreign agricultural service acts as the voice for american agriculture on the world stage. You provide the on ground support to U.S. agricultural interests, identify and open new markets for american products, help negotiate trade deals, analyze market conditions, cut through red tape to reduce barriers to exports, and navigate international standards on behalf of our farmers.
▶ 0:05:17In a time when our nation's producers are still suffering from the misguided policies of the last administration. Facing high record input costs and unprecedented pressures from labor shortages, severe weather, pests and disease, what you do is more important than ever. Your agency's work is a critical and often overlooked piece of america's farm economy. As un secretary, rollins seek to reduce the nearly $50 billion biden era agricultural trade deficit.
▶ 0:05:45I applaud your work in setting an america first trade policy and working aggressively to expand market access and enhance the global competitiveness of american products. Already, you've launched the america first trade promotion program, expanded financing options under the export credit guarantee program, and negotiated historic trade deals. And you were only confirmed six months ago as the subcommittee that champions american agriculture and our nation's farmers.
▶ 0:06:13I think we're all looking forward to hearing what comes next. In addition to trade opportunities, I'd like an update on the interagency agreement moving administration of the food for peace program to usda as the experts in commodity procurement, and given usda successful implementation of the food for progress and mcgovern-dole food for education programs. It makes sense that food for peace should also be implemented by usda.
▶ 0:06:40It's been just over two months since the agreement between usda and the state department was signed, and already you have announced your plan to spend $452 million to purchase 211,000 metric tons of american grown commodities, which will be shipped abroad on american flagged vessels to feed those in need overseas.
▶ 0:06:56I was pleased to see this critical step taken so quickly, and I hope you plan to move expeditiously to get the remainder of the fy 25 balances and the entirety of the 1.2 billion this subcommittee provided for fy 26 out the door very soon. Mr. lindbergh, as you work to advance america first trade policy on the world stage, I hope this subcommittee can and will be a valuable and active partner. Again, I appreciate you being with us and look forward to today's discussion.
▶ 0:07:25I'll now turn to my colleague, ranking member bishop, for his opening remarks. >> thank you very much, Mr. chairman. And good morning, Mr. lindbergh, and thank you very much for being here. Uh, I, as the chairman, look forward to hearing your discussions and projections and priorities for the export market development programs.
▶ 0:07:47Uh, but I must say at the outset that today I continue to be outraged by the silence on the other side of the aisle of the destruction of usaid. Uh, it was unlawful, and it has already led to the loss of lives and overseas, uh, to the diminishment of us influence around the world. Uh, I must also express my outrage at the process that allowed elon musk to run roughshod over our government and its personnel.
▶ 0:08:16Uh, as we look at the implementation of the food for peace under the usda for 2026, we see that the mission area is recovering from a 21% loss of staff as of june. Uh, while it takes on the formidable task of standing up the food for peace program, as the chairman just alluded to.
▶ 0:08:38On top of this, the market promotion work that you do has become extremely important in helping our producers recover from the devastating effect of the administration's tariffs, uh, many of whom were illegal. Finally, I've been extremely disturbed since the start of the administration by the illegal impounding of foreign aid funds.
▶ 0:08:58Uh, word of american food aid rotting in warehouses, and numerous canceled agreements with implementing partners on the fy 26, uh, agriculture appropriations bill. Uh, we delivered a clear message that we support continued food aid, and the administration must follow the law and expend those funds and execute programs like food for peace as statutorily required.
▶ 0:09:26Uh, given usda's recent press release regarding, uh, usda now implementing the food for peace through an interagency agreement with usaid, I plan to ask you several questions regarding our usda's plans moving forward. The answers to these questions will be essential, uh, for usda to successfully administer the program. Food for peace is about more than just using dollars to purchase commodities.
▶ 0:09:54Uh, that food must be targeted at the hungry and starving people in the most need, and must actually reach those individuals or beyond just emergency aid. Uh, america has to run its aid programs, including food for peace, to build long term resiliency. If we truly want to achieve the shared goal of reducing communities dependance on american aid. Uh, Mr. lindbergh, you've have a great responsibility in your current role.
▶ 0:10:24And I think that your currently presented with a unique opportunity. I have a number of concerns that I will share today, but I also hope to discuss how congress and usda can work together to achieve better results in the year ahead for american producers and for the people most in need around the world.
▶ 0:10:46I look forward to your testimony and hearing your vision for the programs that administered, uh, by your agency in the year ahead. So thank you very much and look forward to your testimony and answers to our questions. >> thank you, Mr. bishop. I'd now like to recognize undersecretary lindberg for his opening statement. And without objection, your entire written testimony will be included in the record. After your statement, we'll proceed with questions as a reminder to the members. We'll abide by the five minute rule for questions.
▶ 0:11:17Mr. lindberg, you may begin. >> good morning, and thank you. There it is. Good morning, and thank you, chairman harris and ranking member bishop, as well as the members of this subcommittee. Uh, I'd like to thank you for the opportunity to appear this morning on behalf of president trump and secretary rollins and our us department of agriculture. Uh, when president trump nominated me for this role, he said, luke is going to go out and get smart trade deals for farmers and ranchers. And that's exactly what we're doing.
▶ 0:11:44Our mission is clear restore fairness and reciprocity in global markets and return america's agricultural trade balance to a surplus. We're executing this through three pillars securing better deals, strengthening buyer seller relationships, and holding our partners accountable, the first of which is securing better deals. For decades, the united states has enjoyed an agricultural trade surplus.
▶ 0:12:12That changed under the previous administration, which signed no new trade deals and failed to enforce existing ones, contributing to a $50 billion agricultural trade deficit and higher costs for our producers. President trump has restored an america first approach to trade across the interagency. We are 100% aligned and focused on delivering results for farmers, ranchers and our agricultural producers.
▶ 0:12:37One year in, we are seeing measurable progress in central america. Agreements with el salvador and guatemala removed unnecessary fumigation requirements and created new demand for us ethanol, including a 50 million gallon annual commitment from guatemala, south america argentina is reducing red tape for beef and pork, protecting common meat and cheese terms in asia.
▶ 0:13:03Our framework agreements with japan has committed to $8 billion in us agricultural purchases. Vietnam expanded access for us meats, cheeses and specialty crops. South korea streamlined biotech approvals and protected access for us meat and dairy. Thailand agreed to eliminate tariffs on 99% of us goods, and made a 2.6 billion annual feed grain commitment.
▶ 0:13:29Malaysia, indonesia, cambodia and the philippines reduced tariffs, recognized us food safety systems and removed longstanding non-tariff barriers. Taiwan has committed to provide preferential market access for a wide range of us agricultural exports, and in europe and the united kingdom, we are addressing barriers affecting pork, dairy, specialty crops and pet food, and we've secured expanded beef access and a 1.4 billion liter
▶ 0:14:00Ethanol trq. These are not abstract commitments. They are real tariff reductions, purchase agreements and reforms that are translating into export growth. The second area pillar we're working on is strengthening buyer seller relationships. Market access only matters if it becomes market share. To ensure that happens.
▶ 0:14:24Secretary rollins and I launched a three point plan last fall, the first of which was we established the america first trade promotion program, providing targeted trade promotion resources in nontraditional and high growth markets. This complements usda's long standing market access program and foreign market development program. We've deployed trade reciprocity for us manufacturer and producer missions.
▶ 0:14:48Trump missions, as they're called, complementing our existing agribusiness trade missions and place american producers directly in the markets where reciprocal trade agreements have been secured. These are rapid response trade missions, and we're also modernizing export financing. We've launched a new 18 month repayment option for our gsm 102 program to improve competitiveness for us agricultural exports in africa, the middle east and asia.
▶ 0:15:13These tools ensure american producers can move quickly when the president unlocks new opportunities, and the last pillar is holding our partners accountable. Reciprocity. Reciprocity requires enforcement. Usda works closely with our colleagues at the us trade representative's office to ensure commitments are honored. Our nearly 100 oversees foreign agricultural service offices provide real time intelligence and rapid response when barriers arise.
▶ 0:15:45Recent informants enforcement successes include resolving pakistan's soybean restrictions, pressing brazil on ethanol tariffs, and opposing canada's domestic content requirements. We're also strengthening accountability in our own programs at usda, including the $452 million food for peace agreement, where we are insisting on 100% american grown commodities, strict new oversight measures, and a path away from forever aid.
▶ 0:16:13In conclusion, president trump and secretary rollins have put farmers first, delivering more than 18 trade deals and frameworks, restoring us leverage and reversing the inherited agricultural trade deficit, which is now forecasted at $29 billion. That's an $8 billion improvement from just december 2025 and a $14.7 billion improvement from fiscal year 25.
▶ 0:16:43We will continue using every tool available to expand market access and strengthen the competitive position of american food and agriculture. I thank you and this committee for your support, and I look forward to taking your questions. Thank you, Mr. chairman. >> thank you very much. And let me let me start. Uh, listen, I want to thank you for the work you're doing as the, uh, you know, promoting trade. Uh, obviously administration wide. The goal is to reduce our trade deficit.
▶ 0:17:12It's to, uh, to enhance exports and to minimize imports. And, of course, there are two parts of the agricultural trade deficit. One is you want to increase demand for american products and you're working on that. But we also should decrease american demand for foreign products, I think I mean, I think that's one of our bargaining chips.
▶ 0:17:32And as you may or may not know, I've, I've suggested that we should take our $100 billion, uh, snap program and perhaps require, uh, for almost for the large majority of, if not all of it, a buy american policy because. No, you know, I inquire and no one knows how much of the snap moneys are spent on foreign grown products.
▶ 0:17:55But again, when you when you're talking about a trade deficit that now is in the ballpark of 30 billion or so, if it's just 20% of of it foreign grown or foreign raised, in the case of seafood, uh, that could almost negate our trade deficit. So I'm going to ask you, do you have any idea how much, uh, what percent of our agricultural products are imported? Of the agricultural products consumed in the in the country? >> uh, the question is, is.
▶ 0:18:26>> the question is what percentage of our overall agriculture products are consumed in the country? So so our trade deficit being $29 billion right now, we export about $175 billion or so a year of us agricultural exports. So the net balance there yields $29 billion of imports more than we are exporting. >> right. So so we are um, so that's about 200, uh, billion dollars. Is that right? You said 175 as so we are 200 roughly in that ballpark.
▶ 0:18:53Out of how large is the agricultural economy? >> so we're consuming. If you do the math on that, I can, uh, uh, we are importing. I'd have to get you an exact number on that. I'm not sure. Yeah. >> sure, but but it's a but again, uh, it is a and I assume that a lot of our imports are horticultural versus row crops. Is that right? >> we do import more horticultural, uh, products. Yes.
▶ 0:19:23Than row crops or and other things as well. Yes. >> right. So out of that $200 billion, that is probably the majority you think is horticultural. >> I wouldn't say the majority of it is, but yes, a significant portion of it is. Yep. >> so but other than a very few specific items like bananas, maybe some tropical fruits, uh, could us producers technically grow the same products for importing? What are you finding from the things that that $200 billion we import?
▶ 0:19:49What are we, uh, uh, or basically most of the things that we could actually grow or produce here in the united states. >> there are some very egregious situations, seafood being an example of which, where we import about 75% of our seafood, where we could, uh, consume more domestic caught seafood here in america, as an example.
▶ 0:20:10Uh, in other situations, our domestic rice producers have, uh, has faced a historic amount of imports coming in, as well as our table grape producers as examples, uh, of areas where we are taking a close look at making sure that they have access to the domestic market that they deserve. Uh, one of the things that our forecast is showing for this upcoming year is a significant dollar for dollar reduction in imports.
▶ 0:20:34And why we're seeing that is that means more of the american dollars are going towards products that are grown and consumed and processed and produced right here in america. >> and so that if we had, you know, a buy american requirement or I know I've talked with the gentlelady from ohio about, uh, perhaps promoting american local products, american products, uh, that could put more dollars in the pockets of american farmers, wouldn't it? >> it would. >> if we had that. Okay.
▶ 0:21:04Do you think that that would be that kind of policy would be in line with trump administration's america first policies in bringing more production back on shore? >> yeah. So I would encourage you to speak with my colleagues that run the snap program about the specifics of that particular program. I'm not, uh, I work with them to make sure that we're promoting american products all around the world. Um, but we'd be happy to get you in touch with those folks to talk about that more specifically. >> no, that'd be great.
▶ 0:21:31Again, uh, there's precious little data available about, you know, what percent of, uh, of our snap, uh, expenditure. And again, it's a huge expenditure, $100 billion. I mean, it's, you know, it's it's three times the size of our trade deficit, you know, is, uh, is that one that one chunk of spending, uh, and and the added benefit, I guess, would be that as we reduce our trade deficit, that we actually, uh, rely less on foreign countries for our agricultural products, is that that's one of the benefits.
▶ 0:22:00>> it does improve our food security, right? When we produce food and we eat our own food that we raise and grow and slaughter here in america, it does increase our food security. Yes, sir. >> thank you very much. And, uh, Mr. bishop. >> thank you very much. Uh, I want to follow along those lines before I get into my my real interest.
▶ 0:22:17And that's, uh, you know, we've heard repeatedly over the last several years, uh, when I've been visiting farms in middle and southwest georgia, uh, during farm bill conversations and, uh, about the trade deficit for american fruits and vegetables. Uh, in 2019, during the first trump administration, the ag trade balance shifted to a deficit coinciding with the tariffs in the first trump trade war in 2022.
▶ 0:22:42The gap between imports and exports of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables totaled more than $37 billion. And it's only grown since this administration has come into play. Uh, the us international trade commission investigated the impact of seasonal imports to blueberries, cucumbers, peppers and squash.
▶ 0:23:05Uh, the losses for these commodities are close to $200 million a year from above average import growth into the us. Uh, I've introduced the protecting our produce bill to help american growers remain competitive in the face of unfairly priced crop imports. Uh, this is a pilot program that will provide payments to certain produce growers when growers revenue losses due to seasonal import volumes.
▶ 0:23:28Uh, how can usda and congress work together to address the foreign dumping of cheap competitors products? And would this bill be consistent with your america first, uh, interest in american producers? >> sure. Thank you. Ranking member I, uh, I'm not going to comment specifically on that piece of legislation, but, uh, the general construct you. Can the, uh, that we want to produce more here in the united states consume more of what we produce here in the united states and export more as well.
▶ 0:24:00Uh, is a net net win for our farmers. And that's the equation that we're trying to fix with the trade deficit, is to look at how do we consume more of what we produce domestically, but also continue to open up markets for our producers overseas. >> all right. >> okay. Let me, uh, go back. Uh, the. At the beginning of this administration, there were mass firings, uh, staff reductions and deferred resignation program was implemented.
▶ 0:24:27Um, uh, because this was done, uh, willy nilly without any plan, uh, the agencies are still in recovery mode. Uh, they're rehiring people and refilling vacant positions that were created, uh, without, uh, a lot of thought. Uh, that was a profound loss of, uh, dedicated public servants with vital experience.
▶ 0:24:49Uh, what are you doing to get the foreign agriculture service closer to where it was in staffing before january of 2025? And are you rehiring? And for what positions and how many folks have you brought on board? >> yes. So our team has delivered an incredible set of results in 2025 and the beginning of 2026, and continues to perform quite well globally.
▶ 0:25:17We've put a lot of wins in the board, and I'm very proud of the team work that, uh, our foreign agricultural service colleagues. >> did that with few employees. >> they have performed at an exceptional rate. Yes, sir. >> okay. >> how specifically are you using the overseas post to support the new food for peace responsibilities? And can that equal the experienced personnel that usaid had on the ground?
▶ 0:25:44And are you hiring contractors to help with this, and if so, how many and how are you paying for them? >> yeah, at this point in time, we're still working through, uh, exactly what the overall staffing structure will be for the food for peace program.
▶ 0:25:56Uh, one of the mechanisms we have employed through this initial award, the 452 million through the world food program, uh, is a more targeted, uh, and accountable contract that allows us some additional oversight with wfp, uh, and allows them to take on some of the responsibilities of our initial work, uh, to get these, this, these american commodities into these seven different countries around the world.
▶ 0:26:23Uh, more broadly than that, as we look to get the additional funds out the door through, uh, upcoming gnophos notice of funding opportunities, we'll continue to make sure that we're staffed appropriately to meet the demands. >> you indicate that you've already awarded the announced award for $452 million, and that's understandable. It'll take some time to develop a comprehensive plan for executing the program.
▶ 0:26:47Uh, but it's concerning that you don't have basic details about how you'll be able to successfully run the program when you've already begun making decisions about it. Uh, it seems to me that, uh, you need to have in place, uh, how it's going to be implemented. Who's going to do it? Uh, before you actually make the award. >> we do have a team in place. Uh. >> tell me about it. >> yep.
▶ 0:27:13My deputy undersecretary, michelle beckoning, is leading the team that is implementing food for peace at us department of agriculture. >> but it's got to be they've got the products have to be delivered on the ground. And you don't have an apparatus. Usda has never had an apparatus for doing that. That's the structure that was in place by usaid. >> yep. So so we've worked with our foreign agricultural service colleagues at our posts around the, around the world.
▶ 0:27:38Um, but the delivery mechanism will be the world food program, which has been a long time partner in both food for peace as well as our mcgovern-dole food for progress, I think as well, programs, um, maybe just some mcgovern-dole side. Uh, and so we have a long standing working relationship with wfp and a, an agreement that allows us to have the accountability we need to make sure that the commodities get delivered in a timely and efficient manner. >> okay. One other question. You do have an agreement with.
▶ 0:28:05The question is do you have the personnel and do you have the capacity to hold those parties accountable, particularly with the the drastic reduction of staff and the loss of those experienced people who actually are responsible for that accountability? >> we do. Yes. >> thank you. Gentlelady from iowa. >> thank you, Mr. chairman, and thank you to our ranking member as well for holding this hearing today. And, um, Mr.
▶ 0:28:34Undersecretary, thank you so much for coming to to testify and answer our questions today. We're excited to learn more about how you're expanding market access. Excited to hear about how these programs are being implemented and leveling the playing field for our producers in great, great egg states like iowa, for our american farmers and ranchers where we feed and fuel the world. Um, our farmers are experiencing one of the most challenging economic times that they've experienced in decades.
▶ 0:28:57And as the administration works to reverse decades of failed policy, um, that got us here specifically the last couple of years. Um, it is crucial that we are making meaningful progress to secure these strong deals and enforceable deals. As you talked about. You know, reciprocity requires enforcement in your opening statement. Um, we we need that long term certainty and that expanded market access. So, um, as we know, iowa is one of the top ag exporting states in the country.
▶ 0:29:23We've exported billions of dollars of commodities corn, pork, soybeans being the top three. Um, but the best ag products in the world, I think, come from iowa. And farmers in my district are looking for opportunities to build that market access around the world. We know china buys about 60% of our soybeans every year, so it's important that our soybean producers have access to that market.
▶ 0:29:46So I appreciate the work that you are doing to, um, to advance a framework, a trade framework with china that does provide not only that certainty and access, but the enforceability as well. Um, because, um, we've had years of games and failures by china in terms of what they've tried to do in, in, um, getting around our workarounds for trade obligations. So can you speak to what work is being done to ensure that china will fulfill its commitment to purchase us soybeans and other commodities as well? >> yeah, absolutely.
▶ 0:30:14Thank you, congresswoman, appreciate the question. So we we have worked extensively through my time on making sure that we hold china accountable to the agreement they made with president trump in the fall. Um, they have purchased a 12 million metric tons this marketing year of us soybeans.
▶ 0:30:31And, um, the president will be visiting with president xi in the coming month here, uh, as another opportunity for us to continue to reiterate the key components of that agreement, uh, and making sure we've already seen them purchasing sorghum, we've seen them purchasing, uh, wood products and things as well, since that agreement was put into place. And we will continue to, to to make sure that they live up to those commitments and provide the consistent market access that our producers need. >> yeah.
▶ 0:31:00And I had a conversation with secretary bessen about that. He said he had been with his counterpart in geneva having conversations about, uh, why those, uh, those games are being played over the last four years under the biden administration. He said it was because president biden wasn't calling him. President trump is calling president xi on a regular basis to put that pressure on him and say, we need you to fulfill these these ends of the trade deals.
▶ 0:31:20Um, can you talk a little bit more about how ustr and treasury and you are working together at usda to make sure that we are continuing to elevate the importance of not just soybean exports, but but all of our commodities. As those negotiations continue. >> yeah. So it absolutely, one of the things I think that's beautiful about this administration is that the interagency relationships are very strong. Uh, if you talk to secretary rollins, she's in regular communication with ambassador grear, with secretary bessant.
▶ 0:31:48In fact, later today, ambassador grear and secretary rollins and ambassador callahan, our chief negotiator, and I are getting together in person to have a conversation about some of these very topics. Uh, ambassador callahan and I have a weekly touchpoint. I get a weekly report from our team on whether or not china is living up to their purchase obligations. In that. We discussed that every time we get together on a weekly phone call to talk through those items. So there is a consistent, regular approach to ensuring accountability there. >> awesome.
▶ 0:32:18Well, and one of the other places that accountability is needed is on biofuels. I was encouraged by you saying, you know, with brazil on some of the things you're doing on ethanol there, they've been kind of trying to game the system there. Um, but we need to improve access for ethanol exports. That's huge for our, our producers in iowa, great domestic market for us as well as an international market. And you mentioned the economic agreements, obviously, um, with us and the uk. Um, and those will increase our exports by I think the number is $700 million.
▶ 0:32:46So, uh, continuing to get those trade barriers out of the way is going to be absolutely critical so that our producers can access those markets. Um, what are you doing to to advance ethanol? Right. I mean, I think biofuels are, are, are a great, as I said, domestic market. But what are we doing on the global stage to make sure that those opportunities exist for our producers as well? >> yeah, there's been no topic that I've talked about more in my international travels than biofuels. Uh, and the administration is the most pro biofuel administration, I think, that has ever come through the united states of america.
▶ 0:33:15And we are working every day with us grains and bioproducts council and other industry players to ensure that biofuels are at the table. So yeah, we had a 50% increase in us ethanol exports now to the uk. Uh, we had this 50 million gallon opportunity in guatemala that has produced I'm going to be in guatemala in two weeks to make sure that we're following through on that commitment, uh, and beginning to build more relationships there. We've seen opportunities that will advance in indonesia.
▶ 0:33:45We're excited about the work being done in vietnam right now. Uh, we've had conversations in mexico. I mean, the there is not a country that we've been in and been negotiating with where biofuels haven't been part of the broader conversation and opportunity base. >> well, that's certainly encouraging to hear. And I see my time has expired, so I'll yield back. Thank you, Mr. chairman. Thanks. >> thank you very much. Gentlelady from ohio is recognized. Miss kaptur. >> thank you, Mr. chairman, very much. And welcome, uh, Mr.
▶ 0:34:14Undersecretary, you seem like a man of dispatch, and I want to follow on what the chairman was asking about. Uh, if you look at usda total budget, um, and you look at the amount of money spent on nutrition for seniors, for children. Okay. Um, it's pretty significant.
▶ 0:34:31And, um, I'm wondering if you can help us with the farm bill that is being debated in another committee right now to get some type of language in there, uh, that we all could agree on that would emphasize procurement of us produced fruits, vegetables, uh, other commodities that are moved into these schools and senior centers and so forth. Um, I represent northwestern ohio. It's a breadbasket.
▶ 0:35:01It's it's precious. Uh, as most people on this committee, most members represent areas that produce. And we know south dakota sure does. So. But it's like that part of usda is disconnected from the producer side.
▶ 0:35:13The other thing I'm interested in, in addition to putting locally grown food into the schools and into the senior centers and so forth and nursing homes, I'm very interested in making sure that if an ebt redemption card is used at a supermarket or store, that that store provide local product, and I could give you a ten hours on why that isn't happening in our country.
▶ 0:35:40But we need somebody at usda that connect can connect the production side to the retail side, to the sales side, to the trade side. That doesn't happen. And, um, so I have a major fruit and vegetable production platform. Try to get an apple from ohio into the schools in ohio. That's a three hour meeting just on that. So I'm just making you aware of this dysfunction within the agency as a whole.
▶ 0:36:10Um, the other thing I wanted to mention, I support others who are talking about ethanol. Can you help us get the f 15 language over in the farm? Bill, I don't understand what the holdup is. I don't know yesterday whether the amendments were offered or not, but my area is a major producer of ethanol.
▶ 0:36:27If we didn't have and you know this from south dakota, if we didn't have fuels and I was part of the original team before you were all born, uh, to create the legislation with senator lugar and, uh, uh, harkin of iowa and indiana to create that legislation. If that didn't exist, our corn and soy people would be bankrupt in the current market. So we don't need to fool around on fuels anymore. We need to have better plant science. We need to help our farmers, and we need to do something.
▶ 0:36:56I don't understand what the controversy is over in the in the committee on e15, but I wanted to put in a word, uh, on that. Um, uh, are you able to influence you're able to influence policy over there, right in your positions at the department? >> yes, ma'am. >> okay, well, I'm hear me clearly. Okay. Local product in local schools and on local shelves of places that sell product. So challenge you apples in the school lunch program. School breakfast program. Broccoli.
▶ 0:37:26Well, I don't really, uh, other other vegetables that children would actually eat, uh, that are locally grown into those into those programs milk from from local producers. That isn't happening. Um, across our country. It's a big problem. Then I wanted to mention canada for ohio. She is our chief export market. I mean, canada is really important to us. I don't know what you can do with the administration. We got to find a way for our farmers to get the peat moss from there, which is where they get it.
▶ 0:37:57We've got to find a way to be able to sell our product there. It's really hurting us. And what he just did on the gordie howe bridge, I don't know who advised him on that. I know you didn't, but, uh, but but it's a problem and it's a big problem, and it's hurting our farmers. They need more export markets. We need to be able to function, uh, with the third largest economy in the world, united states and canada, across the great lakes, it's being harmed. It's being. I'm just making you aware of that. So the final thing I want to ask a question.
▶ 0:38:27Uh, ukraine is a country that has a lot to do with feeding people in africa and other places. Okay. And along with us, one of the greatest agricultural economies in the world. There was an agreement signed with usda, uh, and ukraine under prior administrations. I don't know whether you've looked at that yet. There's an mou, um, for agricultural cooperation with usda. I can guarantee you.
▶ 0:38:53I traveled to ukraine with the head of land o'lakes from minnesota years ago, um, and with other farmers from our country trying to help the people of ukraine hold on to their most important asset, their agricultural land. Could I ask you to please look at renewing that agreement? It's set to expire in about within the year. I think. Uh, have your staff made you aware of that? >> uh, ma'am, I'm not aware of it, but I'm happy to commit to you that I will.
▶ 0:39:22>> we have a bipartisan us ukraine caucus here in the house. We'll work with you in every way. We don't need to do any more harm over there. >> okay. >> all right. Thank you very much. >> yeah. >> thank you. The gentleman from florida. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. Thank you. Ranking member. Uh, bishop. And thank you, uh, undersecretary lindbergh, for being here with us this morning, sharing your testimony. Um, obviously, you inherited a tough situation, quite a deficit. We have going trade deficit. And I appreciate, appreciate and applaud all the efforts you've made so far in this.
▶ 0:39:49Uh, as you noted, and the chair and ranking member talked about in their questions, there's two sides of this equations. It's exports and imports. Um, most of your testimony and I know some a lot of that is your background, but a lot of what has been done so far is regarding exports. I'm I'm coming at it selfishly, as a floridian, from the import side of the equation, uh, as you may know, uh, farmers in my district in central and south florida, uh, primarily grow specialty crops. And they are highly vulnerable to unfair trade practices like dumping, especially from mexico.
▶ 0:40:18Uh, my producers welcome targeted trade interventions to ensure that they compete. And that's really all they're looking for is to compete. They they just they don't want an unfair advantage. I mean, they would welcome that, but they just really want an opportunity to compete fairly, uh, others while others are concerned that some of these actions may provoke retaliation against our exports. My folks just want actually just access to our own domestic market.
▶ 0:40:40Uh, according to an october 2025 report from the florida department of agriculture and consumer services, florida growers have lost nearly 50% of their market share to foreign imports over the last 20 years. While mexico's share of our domestic market has soared by nearly 200%. The report also estimates that this trade disparity has killed over 4000 jobs in florida alone, and cost us up to $1 billion in economic activity annually. It's unacceptable, and it certainly isn't sustainable.
▶ 0:41:09I just had a roundtable last week with farmers who want desperately to continue farming. But it gets tougher and tougher every year, especially with mother nature as your primary business partner. We've already got enough curveballs thrown from that without unfair trade practices. As you know, the usmca is scheduled for a joint review between signatories this july. It's critical that the administration utilizes vehicle to implement new tools like seasonal tariff rate quotas on certain products. Without changes, florida producers will be completely shut out of our own domestic market.
▶ 0:41:39And while usda does not negotiate the usmca trade agreements directly, your office does play a key advisory role on agricultural trade. Does the usda support stronger seasonal safeguards for specialty crop growers who struggle to compete with mexico? >> thank you, sir, for the question. So, um, again, I'll mention that a couple of things quickly.
▶ 0:42:00One is that we are forecasting a significant decrease in the overall price of imports this year, and the total dollar amount of imports that are coming into the united states of america. Um, and so I think we are making progress on this, and I certainly will commit to you to, uh, advise our ustr colleagues, uh, of your comments and your feedback today. I recently was with in south texas with citrus growers there.
▶ 0:42:24I was recently in california and met with, uh, many folks in the horticulture space there, stone fruit farmers, uh, table grape growers who have the same concerns. Uh, these concerns are not going on deaf ears and are absolutely part of our overall conversations about what the usmca agreement could and should look like. >> do you support or does usda support implementing product specific trade rate quotas as part of usmca?
▶ 0:42:50>> I don't I will commit to you that I'm happy to share those viewpoints with our colleagues at the us trade representative's office, but they are really the point person on negotiating what will be included and not included in that final terms of the agreement. >> okay. Um, just generally, how does usda track dumping and import surges that are affecting specialty crops, especially from mexico, which now accounts for almost 70% of our imports? >> yeah. So every month we get a.
▶ 0:43:18Export import, uh, overall sort of, uh, data dump from the bureau of labor statistics that gets compiled into our systems, and we track that on a monthly basis in terms of what's coming in and what's coming out of the country. >> do you believe that that current trade enforcement mechanisms are sufficient to protect our, uh, us fruits and vegetable producers? >> I think there are areas where we can do better than we're doing today. >> okay. Could you maybe share some of those? What what we might be able to assist with and help push along?
▶ 0:43:46>> well, I think if you if you take a look at some of the actions we've already taken, for example, on the tomato suspension agreement with mexico, um, we have seen, uh, I think, uh, this administration take a little bit harder stance on ensuring that our tomato growers in the united states and in your home state of florida have a better opportunity to compete. Um, so that would be one example. I think that we are taking a stance that that more directly supports our domestic producers. >> all right. Thank you very much, Mr. chairman, I yield back. >> thank you. The gentlelady from florida is recognized. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 0:44:15I'm just going to jump right in since my time is limited. Um, Mr. secretary, florida farmers, and we'll, uh, it's fortuitous that we have a florida tag team here, so I'll focus on a lot of the same subject. Florida farmers are already struggling to overcome a historic freeze in citrus greening. And now the president's illegal erratic tariffs inflate prices and strain critical relationships with key trading partners. I don't think citrus growers need any more challenges.
▶ 0:44:41But under president trump last year, bankruptcies filed by florida farmers shut up 200%. I'm a strong believer, as I know, uh, the gentleman from central florida is that florida grows the best oranges and our top trade partners agree 60% of the us orange juice exported to canada comes from florida. But because of trump's trade war, orange juice shipments from florida plummeted to a record low last june. Florida's exports to the european union and japan tanked as well.
▶ 0:45:10The choices made by the trump administration are really hurting farmers, shippers and consumers in my home state under secretary lindbergh with a historic freeze, cutting our citrus farmers yields, this administration and president trump are twisting the knife with a hailstone hailstorm of illegal tariffs that may or may not make a summer return post the supreme court ruling last month. Now, it's a tough call on which are a harder hit for citrus farmers. Natural or trump made disasters. Mr.
▶ 0:45:40Undersecretary, please share with us what you're doing to repair our trade relationships with canada, the eu, japan and globally. >> thank you, madam congresswoman, I appreciate the question. So to start off, uh, I'd like to note that we did as part of our part of our farmer bridge assistance program, provide $1 billion specifically targeted for specialty crop growers here in the united states of america, which will go to many of the types of producers you're discussing in your home state of florida.
▶ 0:46:05Um, on top of that, if you look at our historic trade relationship with many of these markets, for example, the european union, as a key example, we have had a $23.6 billion trade deficit with the european union. Uh, so we have not they have not played fairly with us for too long. They have inhibited our ability to export to their market. While they have materially benefited from access to our market. The same is now true with canada. Canada. We have an $11 billion.
▶ 0:46:35>> trade deficit time, and I want to reclaim and just suggest that because that trade deficit was getting worse as a result of trump's tariff policy, um, that's going in the wrong direction. Let me, um, let me shift gears. Uh, because, like my colleagues, I'm also concerned that moving food for peace from usaid to the agriculture department creates way more problems than it pretends to solve. Before trump and elon musk illegally gutted usaid, it had over 6000 overseas staff in over 60 different missions.
▶ 0:47:04In usaid humanitarian assistance bureau. It had over 1000 staff, including hundreds contracted on the ground. Contrast that with usda's roughly 150 foreign service officers serving abroad now, which is just a fraction of the staff in the united states who focus on trade policy and diplomatic relations, not humanitarian assistance. How many usda staff are currently posted overseas, and what percentage have experienced with humanitarian work in administrating global aid to countries facing famine, war or poverty?
▶ 0:47:35>> so usda has long time been the administrator of both the mcgovern-dole and food for progress programs, and has spent significant resources. >> specifically, how many, how many employees, how many do you have posted overseas now? >> so I believe that number that you quoted is roughly correct, about 150. Uh, and then we also have locally employed staff, uh, which significantly outnumbers the number of foreign service officers. >> my time.
▶ 0:48:01Are there plans to increase foreign agricultural service staff, and if so, how many do you plan to hire and when will foreign service staff be at full capacity? >> we are planning on hiring additional staff to support the food for peace program, as well as, uh, how many a specific target number of additional foreign service officers to continue to recruit on an annual basis to bring more staff on board? >> can you submit those answers to the record when you have more detail, please? >> yes, ma'am. >> okay.
▶ 0:48:28And finally, in your confirmation hearing, you spoke eloquently about how you're driving. Motivation in this job is to be a voice for those that can't speak for themselves, and to help people who lack life's most basic necessities. And those values guide me as well. But what baffles me is the administration that you work for is demolishing programs that ensure vulnerable women and children don't starve to death. Estimates already run to the hundreds of thousands in avoidable deaths, due to the trump administration's cuts to food assistance and the broader foreign aid freeze.
▶ 0:48:55So I must ask, how does gutting the food for peace and the mcgovern-dole programs square with our shared values to defend the least among us? >> uh, my response would be that I believe if you look at the programs that usaid was funding at the time that the trump administration came into, uh, office this time last year, were not aligned with american foreign policy interests. >> food for peace in mcgovern-dole programs. And you cut them.
▶ 0:49:22>> the the programs being funded by usaid were not in alignment with the us foreign policy interests. And so we are we took a strategic look at how to do that more effectively. And we're administering these programs now and targeting foreign assistance in a way that actually accomplishes us strategic interests around the world.
▶ 0:49:43>> your your woke culture war has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, and you need to make sure that you have your values match and put your money where where the administration's mouth is, I yield back. >> thank you. >> ma'am, thank you. The gentleman from michigan is recognized. Thank you, Mr. chairman. And Mr. weinberg, I apologize. We have another, uh, subcommittee hearing going on right now as well.
▶ 0:50:06So, uh, I wasn't able to hear your opening statement, but, um, I wonder if you could add a few questions. Uh, I want to start with, uh, I've seen firsthand the, uh, diplomatic role that us products like our utvs, uh, play in the food for peace program.
▶ 0:50:25And I'm just wondering, what actions are you taking to accommodate more types of us commodities within the program, like rutfs and shelf stable milk? >> yeah. Thank you, sir, for the question. Um, we are going to be issuing a new notice of funding opportunity for competitive bidding process. Uh, for additional, uh, food for peace awards in the coming month here.
▶ 0:50:49Uh, and at that time, we're open to, to products like rutf playing an important role in those, uh, ongoing opportunities. >> okay. Thank you. And then, uh, recently, uh, our china select committee had a trip to vietnam and the philippines, and I wondered if you could comment on how congress can support usda mission to bring countries like vietnam, the philippines toward more american producers and away from china and its predatory trade practices.
▶ 0:51:21>> um, it's great to have all of the above america first approach, right? We want everybody singing off the same song sheet, but the group of people that most impact impacts our ability to sell products in these markets is our us farmers. So I often say, uh, we need and the reason, the why the secretary and I launched our three point plan is to get our american farmers into these markets quickly and effectively after the president signs these trade agreements. That is what unlocks the market access opportunities.
▶ 0:51:51It's the buyer seller relationships, right? I sort of say that's where the magic happens. Um, so we can absolutely work with you all if you're going out to do these missions. And we'd love to have your voice, and we'd love to have you meeting with our government counterparts to hold them accountable and help to tell that story.
▶ 0:52:06But the group of people we need to get most engaged is the farmers and ranchers of america, who can have the dirt underneath their fingernails, and they go out and they tell people this is why their beef is better than the next guy's beef, or this is why their soybeans have a different, you know, uh, special process to them. That type of thing is what we're looking for. >> I wonder if you could comment on priority countries for trade missions that you have this year, and what are you hoping to achieve in those missions? >> so so we have two types of trade missions.
▶ 0:52:34Now just briefly is sort of the traditional agribusiness trade mission, which has long been the flagship of usda's foreign agricultural service. We've layered on top of that these rapid response trade reciprocity for us manufacturers and producers, trump missions. The goal of those is to get into these markets quickly. Uh, and so in next week, I'll be in guatemala and el salvador. Um, we're going to vietnam. Uh, three weeks later, uh, we are going to be in the philippines coming up shortly thereafter that for agribusiness trade mission.
▶ 0:53:03Uh, I think we have no better time in the history of us farming and ranching than right now to access new mouths and new dollars around the world. And so it's it's really a follow on approach to getting into the markets where the president has created access today that we didn't have yesterday. >> thank you. And then one last question. I, uh, thinking about the usmca.
▶ 0:53:29Um, I wonder if you could comment on what you're doing to ensure that us dairy and agriculture and specific continue to and increasingly benefit under the usmca? And what do you plan on advocating for during the upcoming review period? >> um, so with respect to dairy, specifically, uh, mexico is dairy's number one market globally?
▶ 0:53:56Uh, and so we know that and we understand that protecting access to that market, protecting, uh, ourselves against europe's, uh, unfair trade practices, that they try to discriminate against our dairy producers by not letting us sell feta and parmesan and other things into certain markets will be a key prioritization for us. Uh, and we also know that canada has treated our dairy producers unfairly since the us mexico-canada agreement was put into place.
▶ 0:54:23Uh, that is a top priority issue for being addressed during the review process. >> wonderful. Thank you very much. And thank you, Mr. chairman, I yield back. Thank you. The gentlelady from washington is recognized. >> thank you. And thank you, chairman and ranking member, for holding this hearing. Um, under secretary lindberg, your your is your team aware of the barriers impacting specialty crop access, the global market?
▶ 0:54:48And can you tell me a bit more about the tfas trade promotion activities that seek to level the playing field for specialty crop? We talk a lot about commodity, but in the specialty crop. >> yeah, sure. Thank you. Congresswoman. Um, we've actually had what I think is a tremendous showing of specialty crop growers participate in our recent, uh, trade mission activity. Um, so we've had blueberry folks down in mexico with us. We have had I mean, it's been amazing to me. Washington.
▶ 0:55:17Apple, uh, came with us to japan, I think, and then also to indonesia. Um, I mean, the the engagement we've had with the specialty crop growers has really been robust. And we have also leveraged the existing market access program dollars, foreign market development. Uh, and, and, um, our market access program, as well as the task, the, the technical assistance for specialty crop program to make sure we're unlocking those market access opportunities.
▶ 0:55:46So I think the the ustr team has done a terrific job of finding new opportunities. And then now we're resourcing our cooperator partners to get out there and get in the field and start making sales happen. >> um, we are one of the larger cranberry producing districts. And, um, uh, my home district produces over 75,000 barrels of cranberries annually. And it's been a great year.
▶ 0:56:08Um, in terms of weather conditions, um, but I, I, my, my farmers are really struggling and, and one of the things that we've learned digging into this is that our producers aren't selling as much because they can't access the global market. They're getting squeezed out.
▶ 0:56:24Um, because the canadians who used to grow organic but no longer do have preferential access to european markets, um, and, um, they're still remaining, uh, with their preferential status, um, over american producers. So I'm wondering if the faa is aware of canada's advantage in the european markets, and how does the faa monitor trade challenges and implement strategies to eliminate those? >> yeah.
▶ 0:56:54So every day, each of our personnel around the world are, uh, at, at these different posts around the world are actively working to identify trade barriers and tear them down for us producers. Uh, certainly we're trying to make progress with the europeans on them implementing the agreement on reciprocal trade that the president, uh, put forth earlier this year.
▶ 0:57:13Um, we are aware of canada's, uh, preferential access in this particular situation and would be happy to follow up with you offline to talk more specifically about how we plan to address that, if that'd be helpful for you. >> that would be helpful. Thank you so much. Um, I was also wondering what your agency's role is in ensuring that canada complies with the us anti-dumping rules and does not disadvantage our our timber industries with lumber dumping? >> um, so lumber dumping from canada into the united states.
▶ 0:57:43>> softwood? >> yep. So, uh, we are let me get you an answer on this. We are not directly responsible for ensuring that that takes place, but we can get you the right point of contact, likely at the commerce department, to help address that particular issue for you. >> okay. Thank you, I yield back. >> thank you very much. Gentlelady from illinois is recognized. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. My home state of illinois is proud to be the nation's leading soybean producer, exporting hundreds of millions of bushels a year to feed the world.
▶ 0:58:13But today, our farmers are watching that leadership slip away thanks to this administration's devastating tariffs. Illinois farmers aren't just losing sales, they are losing their legacy. China, a long standing customer of us soybean farmers, has turned to south america to meet their supply needs and to deliver lower prices. We are falling behind in an industry that we used to dominate, and because of these tariffs, american farmers are being hit twice.
▶ 0:58:41First, when the cost of equipment and fertilizer is through the roof and then again when they get lower prices for their crops because of retaliatory tariffs. American families are seeing the devastating impacts, as well as prices in the grocery store only get higher and higher. Make no mistake, president trump's tariffs are threatening american farmers livelihoods and all of our wallets.
▶ 0:59:00When the supreme court ruled to strike down trump's tariffs, my constituents in lasalle and dekalb counties finally had hope that they could recover their losses. Instead, that hope was crushed almost immediately when president trump announced a global tariff rate of 10% across the board, once again treating farmers as collateral damage to his poor policy decisions.
▶ 0:59:26But the economic damage is only part of the story. While you've shuttered our export markets, export markets, the trump administration is also doubling down on an industrial model that requires the use of dangerous chemicals like glyphosate. As a registered nurse, the health and safety of my constituents is always my top priority. The international agency for research on cancer has reviewed hundreds of studies and found clear evidence that glyphosate is a carcinogen.
▶ 0:59:56Despite the industry's lobbying efforts to obscure the truth, the science is undeniable, yet this administration is pushing to produce more of it. You are putting corporate profit above the health of our farmers, our children and our water supply. This is just another instance of this administration putting corporate profit above the needs of our farmers and our communities.
▶ 1:00:19And now your office and the administration are attempting to frame these trade barriers and chemical dependencies as matters of national security. Let me be clear. Using national security as a shield to justify poisoning our food supply and bankrupting family farms is a betrayal of american values.
▶ 1:00:41Mandating the use of carcinogens is not making america healthy again, lining the pockets of foreign competitors while illinois farmers suffer is not putting america first. I refuse to accept a policy that treats the long term wellness of our children as an acceptable trade off for short term corporate gains. Now you say that you care about farmers, but these actions show what this administration is really about empty promises for the people and big wins for large corporations and the wealthy. Our food supply is not secure.
▶ 1:01:12Our farmers and the working families that they feed are not protected. President trump's policies, which you have carried out, have traded away our health for corporate dividends and our competitive edge for empty slogans. It is time to stop using national security as a shield for the failures, and to start protecting the actual health and the actual livelihoods of the american people. I have no questions for this witness. The trump administration's actions speak for themselves, and I yield back.
▶ 1:01:45>> thank you very much. Uh, I guess everyone haven't asked questions. I have a few follow up questions if anybody has any others. Um, so let me just ask you, when you formulate trade policy, is your assumption that if you can decrease a dollar in foreign and foreign imports, that that is going to go to domestic product? Or are there studies on this? I mean, when you when you do you understand what I mean?
▶ 1:02:13If we discourage an import of a dollar worth of product, does the consumer take that dollar that they would have spent on a foreign product and spend it on a domestic product? >> I think it's a little more complicated than that. But generally speaking, we support eating food grown, raised and produced here in america. And yes, more often when we have a fair and level playing field domestically and internationally for our producers, our producers tend to win that dollar out of somebody's pocket that wants to buy food. >> right.
▶ 1:02:42So so you've reduced the trade deficit by about $20 billion, right. The agricultural trade deficit. So I'm going to assume that most of that money is going to be spent on an american product instead of a foreign product, because it's not being imported. And someone, you know, you have to buy food, um, just from the 50,000 foot view. Our entire budget in the usda. If you exclude snap, you know, our discretionary budget, you exclude wick is less than $20 billion.
▶ 1:03:10And our farmers love the our you know, our programs because it helps them. But by order of magnitude, your reduction in that trade deficit in one year is puts more dollars, probably puts more dollars in the pockets of our farmers than the money we spend in this committee. The discretionary spending we we spend this committee. Is that approximately right? Because, I mean, you you took $20 billion that was going to be spent on foreign product, and most of it's going to be spent on domestic product.
▶ 1:03:40Now, is that right? >> that's correct sir. >> so by orders of again by orders of magnitude again, because I looked it up while, uh, some of the other members had questions, uh, we import about 15 to 19% of our agricultural products. It depends on how you define it. If it's just straight food, it's about 15%. If you include ingredients incorporated in domestic production, it's a little it's a little lower.
▶ 1:04:00Uh, but that means that, uh, if we if we again, if we went to buy american and snap, it would put 10 to $15 billion into the, into the pockets of american farmers. That's going that's going overseas now. So again, I appreciate what you've done. Um, on the on the trade deficit, uh, it's a big concern for my farmers. Uh, again, they they know it, but the average american still thinks we're an exporting country on agriculture.
▶ 1:04:30They they believe that we feed the world. And yet right now, uh, on, on net, the world helps feed us. So I want to thank you for the job you do. And I want to recognize, because the ranking member of the full committee came in and she's recognized for comments. Thank you. Questions. >> Mr. chairman and ranking member. Appreciate it. There's labor hhs subcommittee meeting at the same time. So I apologize to you. Um, Mr.
▶ 1:04:55Lindberg, but, um, in the president's, uh, state of the union last month, he claimed that inflation was plummeting. Uh, yet for american consumers, it really doesn't reflect the reality we're looking at. Food prices have experienced severe volatility over the past year. Prices for many items continue to rise.
▶ 1:05:14Over the past year, the price of ground beef has increased by 13.7%, sandwich bread by 3.7%, chicken breasts by 2.3%, and orange juice by a whopping 28.2%. The culprit? President trump's sweeping tariffs, which needlessly raised prices on basic goods, some of which we do not even produce domestically.
▶ 1:05:37Uh, it in your testimony, you claimed that the president's ag trade agenda is guided by the goal of getting america's agricultural trade deficit back to surplus. That's that's a quote. Um, do you know how much under secretary, the food trade balance changed in the first 11 months of 2025? >> the food trade balance.
▶ 1:06:04>> the food trade balance, how much did it change in the first 11 months of 2020? >> this time last year that we were forecasting a 49.5, $50 billion trade deficit, a us department of agriculture. We ended the year, uh, at a $41.3 billion trade deficit, uh, the end of the fiscal year at the $41.3 billion trade deficit.
▶ 1:06:25>> so and, um, but my understanding is that the food trade deficit, the food trade deficit grew by nearly $4 billion in real terms during the first 11 months of 2025. That does not seem like a trade policy that that, um, works for farmers.
▶ 1:06:47Um, it's there's there's a disconnect here, uh, with again, with the food trade balance here. >> so we're actually forecasting a $29 billion trade deficit this year. Uh, so it would be significantly down from what we experienced last year. >> and that's significant to food, correct. >> only in food and agriculture.
▶ 1:07:11>> you're also claimed that the us shifted to an agriculture trade deficit under president biden. Do you know what year that shift happened. >> was in 2025? >> now the us switched to an agricultural trade deficit in 2019, the third year of the first trump administration. >> we actually had a trade surplus in 2023 and 2024.
▶ 1:07:41>> but we we we moved to the deficit in that switch. So there's there's always the inclination, uh, to you claim that the us shifted to an agricultural trade deficit under president biden the year that the the shift happened was in 2019 under, uh, under a trump administration.
▶ 1:08:02So, uh, I think we need to keep the facts, uh, in, in, uh, in, in front of us as we, as we move through these, uh, through the, through these efforts. Um, I have a remaining one one minute here. So, um, um, the the we're looking at the issues of reciprocal trade because the administration responds to consumers and farmers has been, quote, bear with us.
▶ 1:08:29On the one hand, there are administrations, so-called agreements on reciprocal trade agreements are nothing more. In some instances of hostage taking, using the tariffs, uh, to really coerce trading partners into eliminating common sense food safety rules at the behest of large U.S. agribusinesses.
▶ 1:08:48While we're securing commitments to purchase us agricultural products that hand over inordinate market power to the largest players, can you provide any evidence that these trade deals will uplift small and specialty crop farmers or lower food prices? I'm from connecticut. We have specialty crops. These are the farmers that are always left out of the equation.
▶ 1:09:13Um, no matter what what what what what it is bridge loans, whatever it is, uh, we're at the short end of the stick. So what is the evidence that you can point to, uh, that the trade deals are going to help small and specialty crop farmers. It's trickle down, which we've all heard about before. It really trickles down. >> sure.
▶ 1:09:35No, I, uh, look, I'm very confident that our small and medium producers, particularly the specialty crop growers, are going to be, uh, very successful under many of these trade agreements. Uh, for example, I'm going to pull up a couple here.
▶ 1:09:50Um, the agreement with india alone is one that, uh, we will highlight as an opportunity for blueberries, cranberries, wine and spirits, tree nuts, apples, red sorghum, not just the corn and soybeans that folks traditionally talk about. Same. We're looking at, uh, significant wins in taiwan related to lamb and sheepmeat, uh, related to tree nuts, dog and cat food, ketchup, peanuts.
▶ 1:10:16Um, if you look over at, uh, indonesia, we are looking at new opportunities for wine and distilled spirits. We're looking at new opportunities for, um, uh, feed ingredients, which is probably not the group you're talking about.
▶ 1:10:33Um, so, so beyond that and, and more here, I could continue to go into, uh, israel, the new agreement on agricultural trade with israel opens up fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, almonds, wine, milk powder, um, there are significant opportunities for small and medium producers in the traditionally specialty crop space in a lot of what the president has negotiated, and we're working eagerly to get those folks on the ground in these markets to build buyer seller relationships.
▶ 1:11:02This is not a partizan issue. Everybody wins when we export more agriculture products from the united states of america, and we're working hard to make sure that happens. >> if we could, because my time is well over, over the period of time is if you could provide to us, I think the committee, it would be very, very helpful for us to know, to be very honest, we don't have the specifics of of the trade agreements. We just don't. We hear about the trade agreements, but we don't know what's in them. We don't know what the benefits are. Uh, we don't know what potential losses are.
▶ 1:11:30So that in terms of this area, if we can be privy to the information that is in this trade, in these trade agreements, that can tell us and in my instance, what's going to happen to small farmers and specialty crop farmers? I would very, very much like that. I'd like to have that information. >> I will commit to get to you. >> thank you. Thank you so much. I really appreciate your time. Thank you, Mr. chairman. >> thank you. Mr. bishop. Do you have any. >> thank you very much, Mr. chairman. Um, Mr.
▶ 1:11:59Lundberg, earlier in february, the white house announced that india would be eliminating or reducing tariffs on many of our agricultural products, including tree nuts, uh, with the loss of our pecan, uh, china market. Expanding the market in india is critical to the industry's future. And, of course, georgia produces more pecans than any other state. Uh, the indian tariffs on us imports has been as high as 100%.
▶ 1:12:29And after a great deal of effort, india reduced the tariff to approximately 30%. Uh, with the new administration's, uh, india agreement, what rate will the new india tariff be for us? Uh, pecan imports? And when can we expect the tariff reduction to be implemented? >> yes, sir. So so the team at ustr, the trade representative's office, is working to finalize the india agreement, uh, as we speak.
▶ 1:12:56And I don't have an announcement for you right now on a timeline related to exactly when that we anticipate that will come into full force. But I do anticipate that pecans will be a part of that overall agreement as the broader tree nut industry is included. >> can you give us a copy of the terms of reference? >> uh, as soon as they're finalized, I can get you a copy of that. Yes. >> thank you. Um, tell us what you're doing, what usda is doing to support the non-tariff barriers on U.S.
▶ 1:13:25Ag exports, uh, through the bilateral trade negotiations. And, uh, with regard to tariffs, uh, we need to be able to compete globally. Our producers do. But the tariffs on the ag imports inputs are not only make inputs more expensive for american farmers, or they make inputs for global competitors cheaper.
▶ 1:13:51Uh, secretary rollins said last week that she wants to get to the bottom of why the costs have gone up so much. Uh, but one of the reasons is obviously the tariffs. Uh, what are you doing to make sure that U.S. farmers are not put at a competitive disadvantage by the tariffs? And will you commit to working with ustr to ensure that trade negotiations do not result in higher costs for our farmers?
▶ 1:14:16And, uh, would you tell us about the global trading standards and rules, which are critical for agricultural trade and what you're doing to assure that codex alimentarius, the world trade organization and other international organizations can continue to support our trade for U.S. products. Foreign products? >> yes, sir. I want to make sure I just have so we have non-tariff barriers, was the first question.
▶ 1:14:44The second question, um, was on input prices, inputs, and then the third was on codex. Yes, correct. Just to make sure I hit all three. >> global standards. >> of course. Yes, sir. So, uh, I agree with you. Non-tariff barriers are a huge issue for our producers.
▶ 1:15:01In fact, they traditionally have been worse than the tariff barriers that are foreign markets have waged war on our producers with, um, because they pop up and they go away and they come back and we ship things, places, and then they get turned away. It's a it's a very unfortunate situation. Um, I can tell you that, uh, many of the agreements have addressed very specifically non-tariff barriers in a wide variety of ways.
▶ 1:15:28But there's one I want to highlight for you specifically, uh, I mentioned in my opening remarks that a number of countries in particularly asia, have agreed to recognize the us food safety system as safe.
▶ 1:15:45That is a monumental shift in trade relations with these markets, because traditionally these markets will say, oh, we disagree with the way you evaluate this product or this particular, uh, chemical you use or this other thing, and they will target our producers based on individual specific items.
▶ 1:16:07This is a sort of carte blanche way of approaching an agreement that says the us food system is safe, and if it's safe to eat in america, it's safe to eat in your country. >> that's good. And that for asia. Uh, but we've got particular difficulty with europe. >> we also have issues with europe. We can get to that, too. I agree with you. Yes. Um, but we're. So I'm just saying they're using that as a negotiating tactic to make sure that we are erasing potential issues down the road.
▶ 1:16:36So it's not just a one off. Every time a country has a specific individual concern, it's saying, no, no. If the safety of the united states is safe to eat there, and that allows us to cover a whole lot of non-tariff barriers that exist or could potentially exist down the road. Uh, on inputs, uh, we have advocated for making sure that our farmers produce crops at an effective and competitive rate.
▶ 1:16:59Um, we have seen, uh, tariffs come off of a number of inputs that the president initially started with and has since withdrawn on fertilizers and other things to make sure that our producers are, in fact, uh, able to produce their crops and their products at a reasonable, uh, effective rate. And so, uh, a lot of that has already been addressed at this point in time on import tariffs on those specific, uh, input products.
▶ 1:17:29Number three, with respect to codex, I was actually in rome last week and met with the secretariat of the codex, as well as, uh, the food and agriculture organization director general chu, to talk specifically about ensuring that, uh, our science based standards are the gold standard globally and that american producers have the ability to continue selling our products uninterrupted, using the trade terms that are being
▶ 1:18:00Perpetuated through codex. And fao. >> does have a strong system. >> thank you. I think my time has expired. >> no thank you. Thank you very much. No problem. Madam ranking member, do you have any other. >> well, I would just make the point with regard to food safety. To be very honest with you, I don't know what the standards. When you talk about asia, what?
▶ 1:18:21Whether all this applies to china and what is coming from china, that that's not we need to be very wary of all of that in terms of food safety. The other piece of this is, quite frankly, the europeans have a much stronger, uh, food safety protocol than the united states does.
▶ 1:18:38Uh, so if we are, uh, they're adopting what our standard is in some respects, that is a lesser, uh, requirements around around food safety. And we know we had was it a just a week ago when you had the briefing, Mr.
▶ 1:18:57Chairman, about the whole issue of food safety, you know, in the united states and what's happening with the increased recalls, our ability to inspect, uh, food coming in? Uh, it's about 1%, I think they said, you know. Yeah, this is I don't know what these standards mean or what they're accepting or so forth. But quite frankly, I think that this is a system that needs to be looked at. We talked about it at the chairman's briefing.
▶ 1:19:26But with regard to what we're doing with our our trade, and we're not lowering standards for food, uh, coming here because it, it really agrees with big agribusiness or other, you know, interests on that. Food safety is a very, very serious issue, uh, in this country. And we do not I would say it flat out, we'd like to say we have the safest food in the world. And that is not true. That is not true.
▶ 1:19:52And we're not doing enough to safeguard, uh, food, uh, in this country. And I'd be happy to talk further with you about what are the things you're doing. >> thank you. Thank you very much. Uh, and I want to thank you for being here today. Uh, before you go, I do want to comment. Uh, I look, I'm glad the food for peace program. Uh, I'm glad it took it over from usaid. Because I will tell you a very, very brief anecdote.
▶ 1:20:17When I visited the kakuma refugee camp in northwest kenya several years ago, there was a I was at the food distribution center, and there was a stack of bags that had usaid stamps on them. And the corn was grown in kenya. And the reason was, is because kenya does not take non-gmo, does not take gmo corn from the united states to feed refugees. Like, I'm sorry, but, you know, if it's good enough for our people, it should be good enough for feeding refugees through our foreign aid program.
▶ 1:20:47So, again, uh, thank you for emphasizing that we should be selling american farm products. Finally, you said you're going to see secretary rollins later today. Thank her. The price of eggs is down to 166 in my local grocery store. Hasn't been that way. Hasn't been that way for several years. Again, I want to thank you for being here today. I think our discussion reflected strong support for usda's trade promotion and international programs.
▶ 1:21:10We look forward to working with you as we move through our fy 27 process and continue to address these critical issues for american farmers. As a reminder, if members would like to submit questions for the record, please submit those to the subcommittee staff within seven days. The subcommittee stands adjourned. >> no closing statements. >> what's that? Okay. Thank you. All right.