Press Release – USDBC Strongly Opposes Potential NAFTA Withdrawal Order

April 26, 2017
Posted in: News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 26, 2017 Portland, Oregon The U.S. Dry Bean Council expresses strong rejection of this morning’s news of a potential Executive Order directing withdrawal from NAFTA. USDBC Executive Director Rebecca Bratter emphasized “We are distressed by this development, as well as the potential impact on U.S. agriculture as a whole, and the devastating impact on the U.S. dry bean industry. “ Mexico is the one of the top two export markets accounting for millions of dollars in revenue.

The loss of any market share in this critical export destination would be devastating to U.S. dry bean growers, dealers, and processors in lost income and in the negative impact to the profound and long standing trade relationships built over decades. Bratter expressed her concern that market share lost to punishing trade policy is not easily, if ever recovered as it sends a strong signal about the U.S.’ desire to be a reliable trade partner. She went on to note that “USDBC takes pride in being the supplier of choice for high quality, dependable product, it’s hard to fathom letting our competitors step in to play that role, should this order go through.”

USDBC’s Chair of the International Promotion Committee (IPC), Joe Cramer further stressed, “we honor and count on our relationships with the trade in Mexico, we have carefully invested in market development and business relationships that we also consider friendships, it’s inconceivable that we could put this in jeopardy through our trade actions.” In the meantime, USDBC remains committed to this market and will continue to reassure the trade of opposition to this proposal. USDBC operates Mexico programming through its office in Mexico City and convenes a highly attended International Dry Bean Congress in Mexico every year.

Press Release – PDF Version