Congress has power to ease trade barriers

Iowa farmers have always faced serious problems dealing with agricultural trade but things have turned worse. China is not likely to reduce tariffs on beans. Mexico has already made provisions to replace our pork and corn from other sources.

But there is something we can do to change the situation. Going back to World War II, the United States has imposed massive duties on cane sugar. The rationale is difficult to imagine since there really is no similarity with other product or from other countries. But the unbeliever can easily check it out. If we would repeal this policy, Brazil would no longer be under much pressure to increase bean and corn production as it is much cheaper to produce sugar, if they could sell it.

Asian sugar producers already import significant amounts of pork but not from us. If we gave them market access, they may give us access to their pork market. Congress can change the law now.

Loyal Leitgen

Garnavillo