Press Releases

Every place has a history and a culture that defines it. For West Texans, it's agriculture. It is what drove our ancestors to settle in this region, and it is what connects us to that pioneering spirit of our past. Over time, this region has become the food and fiber capital of the United States, and that didn't happen by accident. It was built on the backs of farmers and ranchers who understood the value of hard work and were not afraid to take risks. Only the most visionary settlers could imagine what bounty the high plains could produce, and because of their tenacity, their descendants boast of the largest cotton patch in the world and the epicenter for cattle production in the United States. They have proved that like the West Texas horizon, there is no limit to what farmers and ranchers in this region can do.
It's because of our hardworking producers that Texas is the agriculture envy of the world. Home to 250,000 farms that cover more than 130 million acres, our state is America's largest exporter of farm products, leading the nation in cotton, cattle, hay, sheep, goats and mohair production. Altogether, the economic impact of Texas' food and fiber sector totals over $100 billion annually.
Crafted over two decades ago, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between the United States, Canada and Mexico has played an important role in the vitality of our economy. Out of the billions Texas exports in the agriculture sector, 42 percent goes to Canada and Mexico. By eliminating barriers to trade, our agriculture exports to Canada and Mexico have increased by 350 percent. In 2016 alone, the economic impact of Texas agricultural exports to Canada and Mexico totaled $3.3 billion and supported over 18,000 jobs.
While it is clear that agriculture producers across West Texas have benefited from trade with Mexico and Canada, other industries have not fared as well under NAFTA. One of President Trump's strongest policycritiques deals with the need for international trade deals that ensure parity for American manufacturers and workers. As this administration seeks to improve past trade agreements, including NAFTA, I believe we need to proceed with a "do-no-harm" mentality with respect to agriculture. I whole-heartedly agree with President Trump that we need to negotiate from strength, put American companies and workers first, and ensure fair competition for all. For example, we can make some improvements with regard to the import of seasonal produce from Mexico and tariff and non-tariff barriers imposed by Canada on U.S. dairy.
Additionally, we need to focus on the areas where we can even the playing field for those hardest hit by globalization, especially the auto and textile industries. Additionally, this agreement went into effect before the internet, so protections for intellectual property rights and e-commerce will need to be negotiated as well.
Ultimately, I have confidence in our Negotiator-in-Chief to get a better deal for American producers and manufacturers, while maintaining the benefits free and fair trade brings to West Texas' ag economy. One reason the American people - and particularly those in rural America - elected Donald Trump, is that they trust his ability to negotiate deals that are in the best interest of our country, and in that respect, I believe he's a lot like West Texans - tough, competitive and committed to a fair deal.