I want to acknowledge the members of APAC and ATAC, our advisory committees, for being here, as well as other agricultural leaders. And I want to thank them all for helping the Administration craft a sound agricultural trade policy. Tomorrow, in Geneva, the United States will present its negotiating proposal for the next round of WTO agricultural talks. It's an ambitious and comprehensive proposal that moves us beyond the Uruguay Round to accelerate world agricultural reform and create a level playing field for all farmers and ranchers. This plan will improve prospects for America's farmers and ranchers, who are still coping with low commodity prices, worldwide surpluses and closed markets.
Agriculture is twice as dependent on exports as the rest of the U.S. economy.
To thrive in the 21st century, our farmers need access to a free and fair global market. This proposal would give them just that. This proposal is fair. It would allow agricultural trade to be determined not by artificial supports but by the quality of goods and the efficiency of production. The plan also is fair in that it embraces developing and least developed nations, helping them grow, further integrating them into the world trading system.