Rep. Adrian Smith warned Monday about potential retaliation against U.S. agricultural exports if President Donald Trump follows through on threats to impose new U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.Â
"We should be looking to expand on tax reform's economic growth through opening more markets, not imposing additional restrictions on global trade," the Nebraska 3rd District Republican congressman said.
"Just as I have done throughout the NAFTA negotiations, I will continue to advocate to do no harm to the ag economy through our country's trade policies."
Smith, who serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, is a member of a congressional delegation that has been meeting with negotiators, government officials and business leaders who are participating in renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Smith recently returned from the latest round of negotiations in Mexico City.
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Renegotiation of the trade pact among the United States, Mexico and Canada is "moving in the right direction," Smith said.
"The conversations we had with leaders in Mexico City reflected the shared desire to do no harm to our countries' economies."
NAFTA, he said, "has done great things for Nebraska agriculture and I have appreciated the opportunity to bring the voices of our producers and manufacturers to the table in both Montreal and Mexico City.
"I'm optimistic we can strengthen the agreement while sustaining the gains already achieved."