WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) released a report from the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) examining the global competitiveness of U.S. rice producers. This report confirms the U.S. rice industry is at a disadvantage globally thanks to a litany of unfair trade practices, including foreign subsidies, that artificially lower cost of production abroad and decrease U.S. market share. This report complements the Trump Administration’s efforts to identify and address unfair trade barriers to U.S. exports. Chairman Smith requested this USITC investigation pursuant to Section 332 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in a letter to the agency last year.

Chairman Smith said, “For too long, our trading partners have put U.S. rice producers at an unfair disadvantage through market distorting subsidies, while simultaneously imposing both tariffs and non-tariff barriers on U.S. agricultural products. The details of the USITC report are deeply concerning for the U.S. rice industry, which employs tens of thousands of Americans and generates billions in economic output each year. This analysis confirms that unfair subsidies and artificial trade barriers in foreign countries erode U.S. export opportunities and farm income.

“As the Trump Administration doubles its efforts to protect American farmers and ultimately reduce the barriers our farmers face in export markets, I hope the report I am releasing today can help inform its decisions and ensure a level playing field for U.S. rice producers. I thank the USITC staff for its work on this report and look forward to working with the Trump Administration to implement an America First trade policy that benefits American farmers, families, workers, and small businesses.”   

Click here to read the USITC’s full report.

READ: Chairman Smith Calls for Investigation into the Global Competitiveness of U.S. Rice Producers