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Nov. 6, 2018, is less than one month away, and with tensions continuing to rise on key issues of trade and immigration, U.S. agriculture will be impacted now
more than ever by decisions made here in Washington DC. Concerning trade and NAFTA, actions by the Trump administration have further complicated relationships be- tween foreign markets and U.S. agriculture. Additionally, we must see uni ed action to reform our immigration system that leaves so much vulnerability within the agriculture community. In an ever-changing environ- ment, it is crucial we secure bipartisan support to move these issues forward. This will be key to creating sound consensus across the aisle, should the outcome be a split House and Senate.
November elections’ projections are likely to result in many new faces in Congress, and the districts that are currently in play are among the most impacted by trade and immigration. According to the Pew Research Center, voter engagement is high on both sides of the aisle, and those voters who view President Trump positively or negatively will be a huge factor for votes being cast this fall for Congress. Addition- ally, “Fifty-one percent of registered voters say they are more enthusiastic about voting than usual, the largest share expressing increased enthusiasm about voting in a Congressional election in at least 20 years.” We see much higher engagement and publicity around the midterm election this year than we have in quite some time. Given the actions of the current administra- tion with regards to these key issues, we know produce concerns will be among the top legislative and regulatory challenges facing the next Congress.
United Fresh has always believed bipar-
Trade, Immigration And Midterm Election Engagement
BY CARLY GRETHER, MPS, MANAGER, ISSUE ADVOCACY, UNITED FRESH PRODUCE ASSOCIATION
We must see uni ed action to reform our immigration system that leaves so much vulner- ability within the agriculture community. In an ever-chang- ing environment, it is crucial we secure bipartisan support to move these issues forward.
tisan support will be crucial for immigration – and, should a new bill be introduced, the support of a uni ed Congress is of the utmost importance. Indeed, Congress has had many opportunities to act on and include agricultural provisions in a new immigration bill. Currently, the Democrats are seen to “hold wide advantages on... immigration,” and “in an open-ended format, 19 percent of registered voters cite immigration as the issue they would most like candidates in their state or district to discuss.” Although the Democratic Party’s general position on immigration is more attuned to voter sentiments’ nationwide, only a bipartisan solution for immigration
reform will solve the challenges of the agri- culture industry.
Many other challenges exist for the fresh produce industry. Today, as consumers demand 24/7 availability of produce commodities, regardless of the geograph- ical growing season, free trade agreements will only continue to be more important for the fruit and vegetable industry. Recent tariffs on China and other foreign countries have created uncertainty and confusion for our industry. Furthermore, according to Pew Research Center, more voters view tariffs on U.S. trading partners more negatively than positively, and “a majority of U.S. adults (56 percent) say free trade agreements have been a good thing for the country as a whole,” whereas “nearly half of U.S adults say increased tariffs between the United States and its trading partners will be bad for the country.” This view could certainly impact the way one votes during the midterm election, especially since there is a large partisan gap on the views of tariffs; only 8 percent of Democrats who are educated about tariffs think they are good for the country, while two-thirds of Republicans educated about tariffs say they will be a good thing for the country.
Why does this all matter in the produce industry? Because voters are now more focused on who controls, or who will control Congress, and with so much attention drawn toward trade and immigration, the produce industry could be impacted in a major way. Without a uni ed voice, the produce industry likely will face greater challenges with regards to market access, labor and regulatory challenges. Whether it be these issues or a slew of others that are looming, the produce industry is working hard across party lines to nd a bipartisan, bicameral solution to these challenges.
8 / OCTOBER 2018 / PRODUCE BUSINESS