Despite the prevailing policy of the current Administration to reject participation in international organizations, the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for WTO Reform has urged continued membership. The Coalition includes the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC), the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and other organizations representing agricultural commodities.
As with many international organizations, required changes require prolonged discussion, review and in some cases blatant obstruction as is the situation with the WTO comprising 164 member countries. Notwithstanding obstacles, the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer, has made some progress through bilateral workarounds “superseding WTO commitments including a lift of trade barriers that are in violation of WTO rules”. Areas of concern include unnecessary phytosanitary requirements and delayed registration of establishments.
The Coalition considers that an active U.S. involvement in the WTO can support bilateral trade agreements that are favored by the President. The NPPC noted that, “U.S. engagement with the leadership among the WTO membership is essential to U.S. agricultural interests.”
In the letter addressed to the USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, the Coalition urges support for the WTO as “The agreement provides more predictable market access and results in reduced trade distortions in agricultural markets.”