Letter
Dear Secretary Rubio, Secretary Rollins, and Ambassador Greer:
We are writing to emphasize the critical importance of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to the American agricultural economy, and we urge continued full U.S. funding for this institution. WTO rules have been instrumental in the growth and success of American agriculture, supporting export growth from $52 billion in 1994 to $176 billion in 2024. For American farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses, the WTO has generally ensured that our agricultural products have predictable access to the global marketplace. In particular, the disciplines on foreign border measures, subsidies, and non-science-based trade barriers are essential for our producers to compete effectively and improve economic opportunities for rural America.
We fully acknowledge that the WTO needs improvements. For example, many members have been unwilling to address systemic problems, such as the embrace of state-led, non-market economic practices by some major exporters. For U.S. agriculture, the rules supporting science-based food safety and plant and animal health lay a critically important foundation for the fair trade of U.S. agricultural exports. However, we recognize that full implementation and enforcement of those rules are imperfect.
The agricultural negotiations, intended to reduce trade distortions and protection, have repeatedly stalled because of a development agenda designed to ensure that developing countries avoid meaningful new disciplines. Despite these challenges, these problems would become much more difficult to resolve without robust U.S. engagement in the WTO. Scaling back engagement would almost certainly result in a proliferation of new trade barriers on U.S. agriculture exports. Continued funding for the WTO is an investment in the future of American agriculture. While the WTO faces challenges and needs reforms to improve its effectiveness, its broader role in establishing a level playing field and facilitating negotiations remains crucial for the long-term health of our sector. We believe that continued U.S. engagement and leadership within the WTO are essential and urge you to maintain full funding while using it to advance the interests of American agriculture.
Sincerely,
Almond Alliance
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Feed Industry Association
American Seed Trade Association
June 16, 2025 Agriculture Letter on WTO Funding, Page 2
American Soybean Association
California League of Food Producers
Corn Refiners Association
CropLife America
Food Export Association of the Midwest USA
Food Export USA–Northeast
Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
Independent Bakers Association
International Dairy Foods Association
International Food Additives Council
Meat Import Council of America
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
National Association of Wheat Growers
National Corn Growers Association
National Cotton Council
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Grain and Feed Association
National Milk Producers Federation
National Pasta Association
National Pork Producers Council
National Turkey Federation
North American Export Grain Association
Sweetener Users Association
U.S. Apple Association
U.S. Dairy Export Council
U.S. Grains Council
U.S. Soybean Export Council
U.S. Wheat Associates
USA Poultry & Egg Export Council
USA Rice
