Lighthizer Addresses Ag Exports, Avoids Huawei Question From Senate Committee
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told Sen Pat Roberts, R-Kan., that the U.S and Europe are at an impasse on trade talks, because the EU is not willing to talk about its barriers to U.S. agriculture exports.
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Lighthizer, who was responding to written questions from the Senate Finance Committee that followed his testimony there in June, wrote, "At this stage, we are focusing with the EU on several key impediments to U.S. exports in the EU market. The EU protects its market with high tariffs on a wide range of agricultural products and on selected industrial products. These tariffs limit U.S. exports in sectors where U.S. producers and firms are globally competitive or dominant. Members of the Committee are aware that we have not begun comprehensive tariff negotiations with the EU because the EU has not agreed to negotiate reductions in tariffs on agricultural goods, and it would not be acceptable to Congress, the Administration, or our stakeholders to conclude a tariff agreement limited to industrial trade. Despite this impasse, we continue to work constructively with the EU on non-tariff barriers that impede U.S. exports to the EU."
Agriculture exports also came up in the context of the new NAFTA, when Committee ranking member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., asked if Canada had started to move toward compliance on solving protectionist policies in British Columbia regarding the sale of U.S. wines in grocery stores. Lighthizer said that B.C. amended its liquor control regulations in July. "USTR is continuing to review the amendments to assess whether British Columbia has implemented changes necessary to carry out the commitments in the [U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA] side letter."
China trade talks were also brought up in the written questions. Wyden asked why the president would reverse the Commerce decision on tech giant Huawei, and said, "The Administration appears ready to give up our national security for literal peanuts." Lighthizer wrote, "As you know, Huawei is currently on the Entity List. I recommend directing any questions regarding Huawei to the Department of Commerce."