EU farmer delegation meets US stakeholders on trade tensions
A delegation representing EU farmers recently met with agri-sector stakeholders in the US to discuss escalating trade tensions between the EU and the administration of President Donald Trump.
A delegation from Copa Cogeca, which represents EU farm organisations and agricultural co-operatives, recently concluded a series of meetings in Washington DC.
The series of meetings, which was held over three days last week, saw the Copa representatives meet with US policymakers, and industry and agriculture stakeholders.
The meetings coincided with US National Agriculture Day (Tuesday, March 18), and Copa described the discussions as an "important opportunity" to engage in dialogue on agricultural trade, market access and regulatory co-operation.
The Copa delegation's agenda included meetings with representatives from the US Senate Agriculture Committee; the Office of the United States Trade Representatives; the US Department of Agriculture (USDA); the American Farm Bureau Federation; the National Council of Farmer Co-operatives; the National Farmers' Union; and the US Soybean Export Council.
Copa and Cogeca said it reaffirmed the importance of maintaining strong ties with US counterparts. Discussions highlighted that US farmers and cooperatives "share similar challenges and are equally worried about the uncertainty surrounding trade policies".
"A trade war would ultimately harm those working on the ground, with farmers on both sides bearing the brunt of the consequences," Copa said.
Copa said it stressed the need for a rules-based, fair-trade system that supports sustainable growth in talks with US government officials.
The EU farm organisation said that the sector’s ability to thrive depends on mutual efforts to maintain open markets and constructive transatlantic relations.
Commenting on the series of meetings, president of Copa, Massimiliano Giansanti, said: "This visit and exchanges with our counterparts have reinforced the need for strong transatlantic partnerships in agriculture.
"Farmers should not become collateral damage in broader trade disputes. European farmers need stability, predictability and fair access to international markets," he added.
"We expect the European Commission to ensure that the agri-food sector is kept out of any retaliatory measures, particularly in disputes that do not concern it and that it acknowledges the fact that maintaining food production in Europe is key for its security."
Giansanti's counterpart on the agricultural co-operative side of the organisation, Cogeca president Lennart Nilsson, commented: "Our discussions with US stakeholders have made it clear that American farmers and co-operatives share our concerns about escalating trade tensions.
"The agricultural sector is strategic and essential for both our economies. Instead of being drawn into trade conflicts we must focus on strengthening co-operation, maintaining predictability, and ensuring that trade policies support rather than undermine our farmers and co-operatives," Nilsson added.
