Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chair Says Reciprocal Deals Must Have Votes

House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Adrian Smith, R-Neb., wrote that in order to make sure the "strong trade deals" the president has negotiated with Europe, Malaysia, Japan and others last past 2028, Congress must codify those agreements.

Smith said he is working to make "meaningful improvements" to USMCA, which he said is a shining example of a trade deal with strong enforcement mechanisms.

While most of his letter was about the need to get other countries to lower their barriers to American agricultural exports, Smith also wrote, "I strongly support renewal of lapsed trade programs such as the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). These programs will also strengthen supply chains for inputs needed for growth in the U.S. agriculture and manufacturing industries."