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Ag groups support moving forward in Indo-Pacific

Ag groups say the Biden administration formally launching the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework is essential for growing ag exports.

Alan Bjerga with the National Milk Producers Federation tells Brownfield it helps address supply chain hurdles along with regulatory and technical barriers that can constrain trade.

“The Indo-Pacific region is where you’re seeing a lot of population gain, a lot of per capita dairy consumption gain, and a lot of market gain for the U.S.,” he says.

Bjerga says the plan needs a timeline to help assure farmers there is a deliberate path forward.

Executive Director of Farmers for Free Trade Brian Kuehl says the framework will help reengage the region after the U.S. withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partners and it will be essential for the administration to articulate how an agreement that does not currently include tariff reduction will provide new market access and economic opportunities for farmers.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall says the announcement is a positive step, will improve the adoption of science-based standards, and grow American agricultural exports to the region.

The framework so far includes Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.