Crawford Leads Effort Urging Investigation to Protect U.S. Rice

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-01) today led 16 of his Congressional colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer, requesting broad-based, rice specific Section 301 trade investigations against countries unfairly harming our rice producers.

Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 authorizes the investigation of, and response to, unfair foreign trade practices that burden or restrict U.S. commerce. The letter also applauds Ambassador Greer for previously specifically mentioning rice as an area he expects to address with Section 301 investigations. 

“During this critical time, when American farmers and ranchers are trying to rebuild economically, your continued support is of paramount importance,” wrote Crawford, along with the other lawmakers. “The U.S. rice industry is at a crossroads, and we need an effective tariff policy to hold our competitors accountable and ensure producers in our states can compete on a more level playing field.”

The letter highlights the U.S. rice industry's support of 125,000 American jobs and annual production of over 20 billion pounds of rice. However, rice imports into the U.S. have surged over the last two decades, displacing more than $1.5 billion in domestic sales each year. Unfair subsidies and trade distorting practices from countries like India, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Brazil, and the European Union are eroding the U.S. market and threatening family farms and processing jobs across the country.

“American rice farmers can compete with any farmer anywhere in the world, provided they are on a level playing field,” the lawmakers wrote. “We look forward to continuing to partner with [Ambassador Greer] to protect our domestic industries from nefarious foreign practices.”

 “On behalf of USA Rice, I commend Congressman Crawford for spearheading this effort to provide support in USTR’s efforts to push back on countries that are violating their international trade commitments and harming our domestic rice industry,” said Keith Glover, USA Rice Chair. “The letter to Ambassador Greer is particularly timely as USTR continues to initiate Section 301 investigations, and we appreciate the board and bipartisan support from members of the U.S. House of Representatives.”

"U.S. rice producers have champions in Congress, and we're grateful for it. The members leading this effort understand what's at stake: countries around the world are subsidizing their rice industries at a scale no U.S. producer can match, and the results are showing up in lost acres, lost markets, and lost livelihoods," said Mollie Buckler, President and CEO, US Rice Producers Association. "USTR has the authority and the evidentiary record to act, and we're thankful these members are calling on them to do exactly that."

“Arkansas’ rice community is growing and producing an abundant and safe supply of nutritious rice to feed our hungry world, even in these challenging economic times," said J. Kelly Robbins, Executive Director, Arkansas Rice. "We are grateful for this effort to encourage investigations to address ongoing unfair practices causing harm to our industry. We hope officials at both the state and federal levels will continue to work to get timely assistance on the international trade and domestic policy fronts.” 

“The impact of rice to local and state economies across the MidSouth and in California is evident. But, the struggle to maintain that presence and grow the prosperity of rural communities is constantly under threat from foreign governments and bad trading partners who prey on our markets," said Richard Fontenot, President, Louisiana Farm Bureau. "We greatly appreciate the support from Congressman Crawford and all of his Louisiana colleagues who, like Louisiana Farm Bureau, see the writing on the wall that the US Trade Representative needs to act before it is too late. This call for a Section 301 investigation is warranted and much appreciated from Louisiana farmers and rice farmers like myself.”

The co-signers of this letter are the following Members of Congress: Brian Babin (TX-36), Mike Bost (IL-12), Troy Carter (LA-02), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Monica De La Cruz (TX-15), Mike Ezell (MS-04), Michael Guest (MS-03), Clay Higgins (LA-03), French Hill (AR-02), Trent Kelly (MS-01), Julia Letlow (LA-05), Michael McCaul (TX-10), Troy Nehls (TX-22), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Randy Weber (TX-14), and Bruce Westerman (AR-04).