U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., the top Republican on the U.S. House Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee, threw his support behind new trade deal between President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Trump and Abe signed the deal on Wednesday, lowering tariffs on Americans farm goods and Japanese machine tools. The White House noted the new agreement could open up $7 billion in new markets for American farmers.
Yoho, who sits on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee and is one of Trump’s biggest supporters in the Florida delegation, said the new trade deal is a win for American farmers.
“Today’s announcement of the bilateral trade agreement between the U.S. and Japan is welcome news for Florida’s agriculture community. Both countries will benefit from a reduction in tariffs and an increase in market access,” Yoho said on Wednesday after the deal was signed.
“Once the agreement is finalized, Japan’s 127 million consumers will have increased access to America’s high-quality agriculture products,” Yoho added. Japan will be reducing tariffs on fresh and frozen beef as well as, eliminating tariffs for blueberries, and sweet corn to name a few. I applaud President Trump and his administration for the work they did on behalf of the American farmer.”
First elected to Congress in 2012, Yoho worked as a large animal veteran for three and a half decades before seeking office. Yoho has pledged to serve only four terms in Congress. If he follows through on that promise, he will retire next year.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
