VIDEO: Sen. Moran Questions U.S. Trade Representative Greer on Agricultural & Aviation Trade

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) - chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) - led a hearing yesterday with United States Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer, during which he emphasized the important role of agricultural and aviation trade to Kansas. Sen. Moran questioned Ambassador Greer on trade opportunities for agricultural producers, global markets for ethanol and other biofuels, and highlighted the significance of aviation trade to Kansas.

During his remarks, Sen. Moran shared a photo of a grain sorghum pile that was taken in Kensington several years ago, emphasizing the need for expanded markets for Kansas producers.

"I could hardly see the grain elevator because of the grain sorghum that was piled on the ground because there was no space in the elevator," said Sen. Moran. "This was, and has now returned to be, the circumstance in communities across Kansas. It highlights the magnitude of what we have to sell and how important your job is."

Sen. Moran also questioned Ambassador Greer on maintaining the zero-for-zero tariff provision for aviation products in the Trade Agreements Act of 1979.

"In addition to an agricultural state, we've got a number of things - how we earn a living in Kansas - but one of the significant ones is aviation," continued Sen. Moran. "In your negotiations in the past - with the United Kingdom, with South Korea, Japan, the European Union - you have established the zero-for-zero tariffs that were created in the 1979 agreement. You've continued that practice, that policy. I want to encourage that to continue as you negotiate with India or Brazil or Singapore. Can you provide me an update and your thought process on the continuation of the 1979 agreement?"

"As you know, I lived in Wichita - the Air Capital - so this is a sector that's important to me," responded Ambassador Greer. "As we've gone through and we've accomplished our trade deals with countries, this is an area where we've agreed to give them no reciprocal tariff, again, recognizing the 1979 agreement and the status of the industry in America as a net exporter. With Brazil, India, Singapore, we don't have deals yet with these countries. With India, it's fairly far advanced. And my expectation: we can certainly talk about extending treatment to those countries as well if they're willing to play ball and come to the table and give the United States the market access it should have."

Sen. Moran's opening statement can be viewed here.

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Click HERE to Watch Sen. Moran's Full Questioning

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