As the principal arbiter on trade-related matters, the USTR serves as the President's chief advisor on trade and related investment issues. Iowa's economic base heavily depends on exports for growth and expansion.
More exports equal better, higher paying jobs.
In addition to the farm sector, Iowa's manufacturing, telecommunications and financial services industries look for trade opportunities abroad to expand economic opportunities at home. In just one recent example, I have kept tabs on the USTR's lengthy negotiations with Argentina to open its markets to U.S. pork. For years, Argentina has erected an unfair trade barrier and banned imported pork. As an advocate of fair and free trade principles, I strongly encouraged the Argentine trade ministry to issue clear rules that stick by sound science, not schemes that keep out imported products. In December, the South American country agreed to certify U.S. imported boneless pork.