We live in a global economy. Our actions, or lack thereof, affect the world, particularly when it comes to the world’s food supply. As the conflict in Ukraine continues and warnings of a food and fuel crisis build, it’s clearer than ever that free markets and free people are interconnected.
Ukraine and Russia are two of the world’s leading grain producers. Thirty percent of global exports of wheat come from those two countries. They are already being affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, making global food security a serious and pressing concern. Many have argued that high food costs and food insecurity in 2010 contributed to the Arab Spring. Today, we’re seeing warning signs that more unrest is on the horizon. In recent days, we’ve seen economic protests from Iraq to Morocco and Sudan. Tunisia is on the verge of economic collapse.
What is happening to our global food supply can, and should, trigger a renewed appreciation for U.S. agriculture products. The good news is there are steps we can take right now to fill some gaps and finally break into these markets.
The decisions we make today will have a lasting impact on the world. As we continue to support Ukraine’s sovereignty, we should also take steps to open new avenues for trade, including pursuing comprehensive trade agreements with our allies and lifting nontariff barriers to agriculture.
I’ve always been a supporter of an aggressive trade agenda, and as the Republican leader of the Trade Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee, I strongly support opening new markets to American producers. My congressional district is the top agriculture-producing district in the country; roughly 30 cents of each dollar going to Nebraskan farmers can be attributed to agriculture exports.
Unfortunately, the Biden administration has not prioritized trade, leaving critical posts in the administration unfilled at a time when we need to be able to move food around the world. Currently, there is no nominee for the chief agriculture negotiator position in the Office of the United States Trade Representative or under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
These roles at USTR and USDA help open new markets, lower trade barriers for agriculture goods, and assist producers with identifying and connecting with global customers. Without them, we’re leaving crucial opportunities on the table. That is why I recently sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to nominate qualified individuals to these positions quickly. This must be a priority for the president.
As we move into spring planting season, U.S. farmers are doing their part to increase the global supply of critical crops, even in the midst of record-high input costs. U.S. producers are well-positioned to help alleviate some of the pressures on our global food supply, but trade barriers and infrastructure obstacles hamper efforts to get these products to consumers. We cannot afford to let barriers to American goods stand in the way of feeding the world.
Adrian Smith represents Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
