President Donald Trump's announcement in the Rose Garden concerning continuing negotiations with the European Union was good news for the nation's farmers, Rep. Kristi Noem said Thursday.
"Our farmers want to do what they do best and that's feed the world," the South Dakota Republican, who is campaigning for governor in her state, told MSNBC's Morning Joe." "That's why opening up new markets is incredibly important."
Trump's announcement, she said, shows the talks will continue, and his comments that the United States would be sending more soybeans to Europe had an immediate impact on the stock market.
Noem, though, does not think Trump's call for tariffs was a mistake.
"I think that honestly what the president is doing is fighting for more fair trade agreements," said Noem. "You know, we're in a situation in agriculture that's a crisis, because we are coming out of four to five years of record low commodity prices. The reason that this fight right now is so important is because we need better agreements. We need better access and we need them to be fair."
The president has also said he doesn't like tariffs, she pointed out, but enacted them to bring other nations' leaders to the table for negotiations.
"We have been treated unfairly by China for decades,' Noem said. "This is going to make sure we deal with our trade deficit, we have better access to major markets. Our farmers and ranchers understand the president is fighting for them. They appreciate the USDA is giving them an opportunity to have some assistance in the short term."
it's a matter of national security that farmers are able to market their goods worldwide, as well as to feed the nation, she added.
Noem said she does not believe tariffs are a dangerous negotiating tool, and she thinks Trump is doing an "incredible job" fighting for the nation's farmers.
"We've been very aggressive in making sure that the white house knows about the consequences that we're dealing with on the ground," said Noem. "Our farmer and ranchers are seeing lower market prices and that can be devastating if it continues in the long term."
The $12 billion aid package announced this week is not a long-term solution, as farmers want open markets, Noem added, and [Trump is] determined to fight this fight and win for America's farmers."
Farmers have been coming to Capitol Hill for years to talk about how China has not treated them fairly, including rejecting their commodities, said Noem.
"We had four to five years of record low commodity prices going into this administration," she said. "That's what the president is fighting for."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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