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Farmers Union remains opposed to TPP

A Minnesota Farmers Union leader says U.S. agriculture would lose more than it would gain from the Trans Pacific Partnership.

MFU Vice President Gary Wertish says trade deals like the TPP can result in currency manipulation.

“You’ve got all these countries that can do it; Vietnam devalued their currency last spring for a short time.  It can happen.”

He tells Brownfield the overall U.S. trade deficit also needs to be accounted for.

“It’s a drain on our whole national economy, which comes back and effects us on the farm.”

And if the TPP comes to a vote, the Farmers Union is asking Congress to reject it.

“Mainly because of currency manipulation and overall trade deficit numbers.  We’re hoping we can get some of those issues addressed for future agreements, but there won’t be any changes with this agreement.  The question is will (the TPP) get ratified or not.”

Brownfield spoke to Wertish at the Minnesota Farmers Union open house in St. Paul Wednesday.