Letter
Dear Members of the U.S. House of Representatives,
We write to express our strong support for S. 629 and H.R. 3653, bipartisan, bicameral legislation known as the UNITED Act, which we respectfully request you co-sponsor.
Introduced by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) and Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Jim Himes (D-CT), the companion bills would grant the President, in consultation with Congress, the ability to seek a comprehensive trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom (U.K.).
As supporters of trade agreements that advance American strategic and economic interests, we see these bills as a tremendous opportunity. A comprehensive trade agreement with the U.K. would broaden the scope of exporting opportunities for American businesses, strengthen our supply chain resilience, and improve the well-being of our consumers. As organizations representing America’s agriculture industry, we further believe this legislation would bring economic opportunities to American farmers, ranchers, and food producers. In particular, we look forward to working closely with you to not only secure passage of the UNITED Act, but to also advance and promote transparent, predictable, and science- and risk-based trade policies that yield substantive gains in U.S. agricultural market access to the UK in any ensuing negotiations resulting from this legislation.
Overall, we find that agricultural stakeholders, rural communities, and the American people at large would benefit from enactment of the UNITED Act and use of the authority it would provide. We celebrate the bipartisan leadership in Congress to strengthen our already close relationship with the U.K. and increase the prosperity of Americans.
Thank you for considering our views.
Sincerely,
AgTrade Strategies LLC
American Bakers Association
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Fruit & Vegetable Processors and Growers Coalition
American Seed Trade Association
American Soybean Association
Animal Health Institute
At-sea Processors Association
California Prune Board
California Walnut Commission
Cargill Incorporated
Corn Refiners Association
CropLife America
Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S.
Farmers for Free Trade
FMI – the Food Industry Association
Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
Global Cold Chain Alliance
Independent Bakers Association
International Dairy Foods Association
International Fresh Produce Association
Leather and Hide Council of America
Meat Import Council of America
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
National Association of Wheat Growers
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
National Chicken Council
National Corn Growers Association
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Fisheries Institute
National Grain & Feed Association
National Milk Producers Federation
National Pork Producers Council
National Turkey Federation
North American Meat Institute
North American Millers’ Association
North American Renderers Association
Northwest Horticultural Council
Pacific Seafood Processors Association
Pet Food Institute
Sweetener Users Association
U.S. Apple Association
U.S. Dairy Export Council
U.S. Pea & Lentil Trade Association
USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council
USA Poultry & Egg Export Council
USA Rice
William Westman & Associates LLC
