Trade Subcommittee Committee Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-TX) will offer an amendment today to H.R. 2997, the Agriculture Appropriations bill, to move funds to allow USDA economists to study the potential benefits pending trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea could hold for American farmers and ranchers.  In addition, the study would focus on the negative impact of not moving forward on these agreements as the EU and Canada conclude their agreements. 

Brady said, “It’s now been over two years since the U.S. completed trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea – agreements that offer significant opportunities for our American farmers and ranchers to sell more of their goods overseas.  Previous studies by the International Trade Commission have estimated more than twelve billion of new sales from these agreements, including significant export opportunities for wheat, beef, dairy, fruits, and vegetables.  Given the U.S. economy and the need to create American jobs, it’s important to update these statistics.” 

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