SC Nebraska News

Last week, Representatives Adrian Smith and Randy Feenstra sent a letter to U.S. Trade Ambassador Jamieson Greer. The letter calls for improved market access for American agricultural exports in India, focusing on ethanol, distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and soybean meal (SBM).

The lawmakers stated: "India has publicly expressed its willingness to proceed in high-volume agricultural trade negotiations with the U.S., increasing demand for American farmers." They highlighted that the potential demand for DDGS could reach two million metric tons annually, valued at $500 million. This would make India the second-largest export market after Mexico. Ethanol exports to India currently stand at 170 million gallons valued at $393 million, but reducing market barriers could increase this by over $400 million.

The representatives noted that progress is being made in reciprocal trade negotiations between the United States and India. They expressed hope that U.S. farmers would soon benefit from increased exports of DDGS and SBM to India, adhering to India's non-GMO import restrictions.

President Trump's America First agenda aims to boost U.S. agricultural exports to reduce the trade deficit. Despite increases in corn and soybean production since 2010, commodity prices have fallen by over 30% in recent years, underscoring the need for expanded export markets.

The letter received support from several agricultural associations including the National Corn Growers Association and the American Soybean Association.

This initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement with India, announced by Vice President J.D. Vance and USTR in April. Additionally, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins plans to visit India this year to further discussions on opening new markets for agricultural exports.

Additional signatories of the letter include Representatives Dusty Johnson, Michelle Fischbach, Tracey Mann, Derek Schmidt, Tony Wied, Don Bacon, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Mike Flood, Ron Estes, Mike Carey, Darin LaHood, Max Miller, Ashley Hinson, Brad Finstad, and Mark Messmer.