Ag Trade Groups Urge Action on Port Labor Dispute

Agricultural trade groups, including the American Cotton Shippers Association, have urged President Biden and President-elect Trump to address labor disputes at East and Gulf Coast ports. In letters sent yesterday, the group highlighted the urgency of a new agreement between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance before the contract expires on January 15, 2025. The groups warned that prolonged shutdowns could disrupt $1.4 billion in weekly agricultural trade, with 40% of U.S. agricultural exports dependent on these ports, and harm U.S. competitiveness.

Letter to President Biden here.

Letter to President-elect Trump here.

More Advocacy Issues

Please use the link below for a glance at the upcoming events for the week of May 5. Document here.

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The U.S. agriculture industry is urging Congress to prioritize rural and agricultural transportation needs in the upcoming reauthorization of surface transportation programs. Key requests include timely reauthorization, increased investment in infrastructure, modernization of trucking regulations, and streamlining project approvals to improve efficiency, safety, and economic vitality in rural America. Letter here.

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A coalition of agricultural groups, including the American Cotton Shippers Association, urged the Senate Agriculture Committee leadership to confirm Stephen Vaden as deputy Agriculture secretary. He currently serves as a judge on the U.S. Court of International Trade. Letter here.

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The American Cotton Shippers Association, along with over 300 other associations representing a broad range of industries, urged the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to refrain from implementing the proposed measures in response to the Section 301 investigation into China’s efforts to dominate the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding industries. Letter here.

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In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), organizations in the energy, transportation, and agriculture industries urged Congress to disapprove California’s vehicle rules through the Congressional Review Act. Letter here.

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U.S. farm organizations, including the American Cotton Shippers Association, signed onto a letter to Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), calling for the quick Senate approval of Luke Lindberg’s nomination as the next USDA undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs. Letter here.

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