SE Nebraska News

Today, Representative Adrian Smith and Senator Steve Daines, both Republicans, led a group of 54 lawmakers in sending a letter to key members of the Trump administration. The letter was addressed to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. It commends the administration for its efforts in trade negotiations and advocates for increased market access for American farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers.

The letter states: "We write to you to express our strong support for ongoing trade negotiations to level the playing field for American producers and manufacturers. President Trump’s decision to pause the implementation of certain reciprocal tariffs creates momentum to secure meaningful and enforceable agreements for U.S. agricultural producers, energy producers, and manufacturers."

It further notes that while some barriers may require extended negotiations, there is confidence in using a 90-day pause effectively. The letter highlights issues such as digital services taxes, import quotas, and tariff reduction as urgent matters needing attention.

The lawmakers argue that certainty from trade agreements could prevent commodity price declines, help recover global market share, and strengthen American industry against global competitors. They also see bilateral agreements addressing tariff and non-tariff barriers as opportunities to enhance supply chains, drive innovation, increase international collaboration, reaffirm U.S. global leadership, and counter China's influence.

Representatives joining Smith and Daines include Max Miller (R-OH), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Mike Bost (R-IL), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Don Bacon (R-NE), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Frank Lucas (R-OK), Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Marianette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Derek Schmidt (R-KS), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), Mike Carey (R-OH), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Ron Estes (R-KS), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Sam Graves (R-MO), James Baird (R-IN), Mark Alford (R-MO), Julie Fedorchak (R-ND), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Troy Downing (R-MT), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), David Kustoff (R-TN), Rudy Yakym (R-IN), Keith Self (R-TX), Jefferson Shreve(R-IN) Dusty Johnson(R-SD) James Comer(R-KY) Mike Flood(R-NE) Eric Crawford(R-AR) Nicholas Langworthy(R-NY) Mark Messmer(R-IN) Greg Murphy(R-NC) Zach Nunn(R-IA) Addison McDowell(R-NC) Tony Wied(R-WI) Robert Latta(R-OH) Stephanie Bice(R-OK) Darin LaHood(R-IL) French Hill(R-AR).

Senators joining include Deb Fischer( R-NE ), Pete Ricketts( R-NE ), Chuck Grassley( R-IA ), Ted Budd( R-NC ), Tim Sheehy( R-MT ), Thom Tillis( R-NC ), Jim Risch( R-ID ), John Kennedy( R-LA ), Joni Ernst( R-IA ), Roger Wicker( R-MS ) Todd Young( R-IN ).