Young leads effort to protect U.S. corn exports to Colombia – InkFreeNews.com

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Senator Todd Young

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) led a bipartisan, bicameral letter to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on Monday, November 25, expressing concern over reports that the Colombian government is conducting a misleading research could consider U.S. corn subsidies. Such an investigation could lead to unwarranted actions that would deliberately undermine the competitiveness of American farmers and effectively close off a crucial export market. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Reps. Adrian Smith (R-3-NE) and Dan Kildee (D-10-MI) also led the letter.

“We write to express our concern about reports that the government of Colombia is considering a subsidy investigation that could lead to countervailing measures on U.S. corn imports,” the senators wrote.

“Maintaining market access is critical to the interests of U.S. farmers as Colombia consistently ranks among the top five export markets for U.S. corn year after year. In 2023 alone, the US exported more than 4 million tons of corn to Colombia, equivalent to $1.14 billion in sales,” the senators continued.. “American farmers cannot afford to lose such a vital export market, especially when access to the most important U.S. corn export market, Mexico, is already at risk.”

“We urge you to discuss these concerns with Colombian officials and ensure full alignment with our trade agreement. We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and stand ready to assist you as needed,” the senators concluded.

The letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) , Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Thune (RS.D.), John Hoeven (RN.D.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), as well as U.S. Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Jimmy Panetta (D-19-CA), Sam Graves (R- 6-IL), Sharice Davids (D-3-KS), Mike Flood (R-1-NE), Greg Landsman (D-1-OH), Don Bacon (R-2-NE), Mariannette Miller-Meeks ( R-1-IA), Mary Miller (R-15-IL), Brad Finstad (R-1-MN), Jodey Arrington (R-19-TX), Greg Pence (R-6-IN), Jim Baird (R-4-IN), Jim Banks (R-3-IN), Mark Alford (R-4-MO), Darin LaHood (R-16-IL), Randy Feenstra (R-4-IA), Claudia Tenney (R-24-NY), Brad Wenstrup (R-2-OH), John Moolenaar (R-2-MI), Rudy Yakym (R-2-IN) and Erin Houchin (R-9-IN).

You can find the full text of the letter here.