More agreements needed to open markets, strengthen trade relationships

Last week, I sat down with President Donald Trump and members of Congress at the White House to discuss the impact of trade on agriculture in Central Washington.

China’s and other nations’ retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products are having a major impact on growers and producers in our state.

In our meeting, I brought up the challenges of Central Washington cherry-growers as one example of export-reliant agriculture that have been paying the price for rising tension.

China is the No. 1 customer for Washington state’s cherries and our producers are being hit hard, showing the need for a timely res...