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NFU standing firm in opposition to TPP

The President of the National Farmers Union (NFU) says the organization stands firm in its opposition to the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement.

Roger Johnson says NFU is against the TPP but is quick to point out they are not against trade.

“My gosh, we want to do more and more trade, but we want to do more and more exporting, less and less importing,” Johnson said. “That’s the difference and unfortunately our trade negotiators have sort of been, you know, they always talk that we want more trade, it’s almost like exports and imports have equal value and they don’t.”

The NFU President has long held that the TPP should deal with currency manipulation, which it does not.  Johnson says Congress did pass a bill asking the US Trade Representative’s office to deal with the issue.

“Now USTR didn’t do it, they did some language talking about it, but gave no method for enforcing anything, so it’s sort of meaningless language, its incremental progress,” said Johnson. “We’re gradually getting to the point where we are telling our folks, stand up and develop a spine and get a fair deal.”

U.S. Chief Agriculture Trade Negotiator Darci Vetter tells Brownfield the issue does not belong in a free trade agreement.

Audio: Roger Johnson, President, National Farmers Union

Brownfield interviewed Johnson at the recent Ohio Farmers Union Annual Convention.