Noem said in a statement that the USMCA would "increase potential for global trade while giving producers the stability to grow, invest,
and create more jobs in South Dakota" in a time when "farmers and ranchers need added market opportunities and certainty."
Source: South Dakota gubernatorial press release in AgWeek
, Jun 20, 2019
China trade wars makes low soybean prices & hurts farmers
Speaking at Politico's State Solutions Conference, Gov. Kristi Noem said, "South Dakota has been devastated by the trade wars that are going on, and agriculture is our No. 1 industry by far. When we aren't able to export our soybeans to the Asia-Pacific
region, when we're struggling with commodity prices, that's impacting not just those farmers who are on the ground but every Main Street business, everybody who has another entity out there that relies on those successful ag industries."
Noem said she's spoken to Trump administration officials and she's consistently advocated for wrapping up trade discussions. The White House is aware South Dakota farmers have previously had soybean shipments unfairly rejected by China,
Noem said. "I think the administration is trying to rectify some of that," she said. "The problem is this has gone on now for a long period of time." Sustained, low commodity prices are "driving a lot of family businesses out of business," she added.
Rated 50% by the USAE, indicating a mixed record on trade.
Noem scores 50% by USA*Engage on trade issues
Ratings by USA*Engage indicate support for trade engagement or trade sanctions. The organization's self-description: "USA*Engage is concerned about the proliferation of unilateral foreign policy sanctions at the federal, state and local level. Despite the fact that broad trade-based unilateral sanctions rarely achieve our foreign policy goals, they continue to have political appeal. Unilateral sanctions give the impression that the United States is 'doing something,' while American workers, farmers and businesses absorb the costs."
USA*Engage at Work
Developing the Case: USA*Engage explains the benefits of economic engagement, and the high cost of sanctions for American exports, investment and jobs.
Education: We recruit respected foreign policy and economic experts to speak out against sanctions, actively engage the media and provide outreach to key target states and Congressional districts.
Contacting Government Officials: USA*Engage directly contacts Congressional, Administration, state and local officials.
VoteMatch scoring for the USA*Engage ratings is as follows :
0%-49%: supports trade sanctions;
50%-74%: mixed record on trade engagement;
75%-100%: supports trade engagement.
Source: USA*Engage 2011-2012 ratings on Congress and politicians 2012-USAE on Dec 31, 2012