A bipartisan group of former U.S. Agriculture Secretaries, including Ann Veneman of California, issued an open letter urging Congress to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
The former secretaries note that opening new markets for exports is critical for farmers and rural communities.
By opening new markets in Japan, Vietnam, and other countries, the group says we are giving our producers access to new customers and expanding their sales.
The sales will generate more farm production, and related activities, that will grow the U.S. economy.
In the letter, the group told Congress “we know from experience how important such agreements are to the economic well-being of our farmers and ranchers.” Further, the letter says “no trade agreement ever negotiated—TPP included—is perfect.
But we should never let perfection be the enemy of the good, and this is a very good trade agreement.” The letter was signed by former Agriculture secretaries Ed Schafer, Mike Johanns, Ann Veneman, Dan Glickman, Mike Espy, Clayton Yeutter and John Block.
