by Mawish Raza, Intern for Public and Media Affairs
United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk spoke at a White House briefing yesterday for the National Farmers Union. Farmers from across the nation joined as senior administration officials discussed how federal agencies are incorporating agriculture into policy creation.
During his speech, Ambassador Kirk discussed the importance of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in working closely with other agencies to maximize the full liberalization of trade negotiations. He highlighted the benefits that have resulted from trade agreements with Korea and Colombia that took effect earlier this year, including a significant increase in agricultural exports. Ambassador Kirk also mentioned the significance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) for agricultural trade. As the 14th round of TPP negotiations continue this week in Leesburg, Virginia, he spoke of the positive impact that would result from this growing partnership with the Asia-Pacific region.
Felicia Escobar, Senior Policy Director of the Domestic Policy Council for Immigration, Rohan Patel, Associate Director for Public Engagement for the Council on Environmental Quality, Dan Utech, Deputy Director for the Office of Energy and Climate Change, Rob Johansson, Deputy Chief Economist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Doug McKalip, Senior Policy Advisor for the Domestic Policy Council, were also among those scheduled to present at the event.
Ambassador Kirk speaks to the farmers union at a White House Briefing.
