Office of United States Trade Representative : USTR Robert Lighthizer Statement on the Rural Prosperity Task Force Report

Washington, DC - U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer today released the following statement regarding the report to the President from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity. Chaired by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, the interagency taskforce includes USTR Lighthizer and secretaries and officials from over 20 cabinet agencies and executive branch offices.

'President Trump's economic strategy is designed to create jobs and promote prosperity for all Americans, including those who live and work in our rural communities. Trade is essential to agriculture and rural prosperity, so if we are to open up new economic opportunities for rural communities, we must increase export market access, tear down foreign trade barriers, and enforce our trade laws to make sure other countries play by the rules. USTR is committed to this administration-wide effort to break down barriers for rural America, grow our economy and ensure the United States remains the world's leader in agriculture trade.'

The recommendations provided to the President focus on the following areas: E-Connectivity, Quality of Life, Rural Workforce, Technology, and Economic Development. To read the Report from the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity, click here.

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