CRAMER TESTIFIES AT U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE HEARING ON POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF TARIFFS

Contact: Dana.Stancavage@mail.house.gov

Recording: Download Testimony

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Kevin Cramer testified before the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) during a public hearing today. Cramer conveyed the impacts retaliatory tariffs have on North Dakota’s agriculture community and manufacturers.  

Cramer also delivered remarks at the USTR in a May hearing. He was the only Member of Congress to testify during both hearings.

“North Dakota’s agricultural producers and manufacturers have felt a direct impact of China’s retaliatory trade actions on their livelihoods,” said Cramer. “Our farmers are able to weather short term pain if it yields long term gain, but their financial hardship should not be taken lightly. For our farmers to be successful, we need to grow, not shrink, our markets. I urge President Trump to engage directly with President Xi and negotiate an agreement before it is too late.”

Recently, USTR Ambassador Robert Lighthizer and Cramer spoke about ongoing trade negotiations in which Lighthizer assured Cramer farmers will not be overlooked. Cramer added, “I will continue to represent the voice of our farmer’s during the ongoing trade negotiations.”

Since President Trump suggested implementing tariffs, Cramer has been actively working with the Administration to convey North Dakota’s agriculture community needs. Cramer arranged a meeting at the White House last month with a delegation of North Dakota farmers and ranchers to discuss international trade and tariff issues facing them and fellow producers with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky.   

To download Cramer’s written testimony click here.   

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