The rapidly expanding global economy presents enormous opportunities for farm families and agribusinesses. In a world where over 95 percent of the world's consumers live outside of the United States, and where U.S. agriculture already depends on exports for one third of all sales, we must have new and expanded markets. Commercial competitiveness is critical to our position of global leadership . Europe, Canada, China, Japan and others are forging preferential commercial alliances with emerging markets, which put American exports at a disadvantage. Those trade alliances also play a vital role in defining strategic relationships between countries and regions.
Exports create American jobs.
Agriculture depends on exports for one-third of all sales. If we are to raise our standard of living, we must continue creating jobs through exports. The next round of talks in the World Trade Organization are to begin in 1999. American agriculture must be in position to lead the renegotiation of the Uruguay Round General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade for agriculture. Global negotiations will address other key areas such as intellectual property rights, customs and government procurement rules which will not only affect agriculture, but also the overall soundness of our economy.