Exporting American agricultural products makes an important contribution to our nation’s economy. When the prospects for an increase in those sales grow, that’s also hugely significant for Iowa.

According estimates by the United States Department of Agriculture, agricultural exports support more than 1 million American jobs. Consequently, whenever new trade agreements make foreign sales easier they are welcome.

A new trade pact with the European Union has just been finalized. It is a long-awaited, positive change for our nation and for the Hawkeye State. It will increase the amount of American-produced beef that can be sold in the EU. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said on Aug. 2 that this is an important step forward in the administration’s ongoing campaign to widen foreign markets for U.S. products.

“Getting more U.S. beef into the E.U. market is yet another example of President Trump expanding markets around the globe for our agriculture producers,” Perdue said. “E.U. consumers desire high quality products, and I have no doubt that when given the opportunity to purchase U.S. products we will see more Europeans choose to buy American. America’s farmers and ranchers are the most productive on earth and I thank President Trump and Ambassador (Robert) Lighthizer (U.S. trade representative) for their continued work to promote the bounty of the American harvest across the world.”

American beef exports are a major component of worldwide sales of beef and beef products according to information released by the USDA. The department’s statistics show that the United States is the world’s third largest beef exporter.

The Messenger applauds this exciting development. The hard work by Trump administration officials to enable more U.S. beef sales in Europe deserves strong praise. Each increase in American agricultural sales worldwide helps lessen the trade deficit that has long plagued our nation. This trade arrangement will also help Iowa’s already strong economy remain robust and continue to expand.