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SECTION II
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND THE FAMILY FARM
The goal of the United States in international trade and political relationships must be to stabilize world agricultural production and ensure that all of the world’s populations have adequate food to meet daily human nutritional needs. As a leading exporter of food into the world market, the United States must recognize that any unilateral action it takes will have profound effects on international food trade and will significantly impact food producing and importing nations, especially developing nations. The United States must use its leadership role as a food producer to develop responsible international tradepolicies and to increase world food security through cooperative agreements among nations. 1. INTERNATIONAL TRADE A. We believe that expansion of trade can only be achieved by first stabilizing current trading conditions. The unregulated free trade system of the United States is a dangerous destabilizing force in world food production which will lead to boom and bust market cycles for producers and price swings for consumers.
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B. Exporting at less than the cost of production is a purposeful short-changing of producers to the benefit of the grain trade. Cost of production includes, but is not limited to uniform working conditions, labor laws and equal treatment of the environment regardless of political borders.
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(1) Congressional review of the President’s ability to impose tariffs without the authorization of Congress.
C. We have concerns about the definitions of trade-distorting subsidies as addressed by the U.S. Trade Representative. These definitions could eventually include all state and federal programs that provide regulatory, economic and social services to rural areas. D. When the United States is threatened with international trade retaliations that may have negative effects on agriculture, an effort should be made to protect family farmers and ranchers. E. We support:
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(2) Trade as long as it is fair trade. We support a fair trade system that strengthens the health, environment, food sovereignty, working conditions and labor rights of all countries. Vibrant national economies are essential to a healthy global community. (3) The use of an end-use certificate for any grains or livestock coming into the United States.
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