Smith Statement on Trade Deals with Southeast Asian Nations

Washington, D.C. - Today Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chair Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement after the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced it had reached trade deals with Malaysia and Cambodia and established frameworks for agreements with Vietnam and Thailand to lower tariff and non-tariff trade barriers.

"President Trump and his trade team are taking pivotal strides to secure access in global markets for U.S. goods and services to the benefit of America's farmers, ranchers, workers, and innovation drivers. The Agreements on Reciprocal Trade signed with Malaysia and Cambodia, as well as the frameworks announced with Vietnam and Thailand, represent meaningful progress for U.S. industry as we work to diversify our input supply chains and export markets. By strengthening strategic economic and national security partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, the United States is better poised to counter the Chinese Communist Party's influence throughout the region. I look forward to working with the President and Ambassador Greer to ensure the full benefits of these deals and purchase commitments are realized."

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