WHEREAS the United States business community and labor force can compete strongly with other countries when operating within equivalent trade parameters and constraints; and
WHEREAS when trade parameters and constraints are equivalent, international trade agreements pose a huge opportunity to U.S. businesses because of their proven track record of ingenuity and efficiency; and
WHEREAS the United States’ highly efficient and productive agriculture industry is very dependent upon international trade with 40% of production marketed through exports; and
WHEREAS the U.S. has entered into international free trade agreements that some have argued do NOT provide for equivalent trade parameters and constraints, and such “unlevel playing fields” create an economic disadvantage for U.S. businesses;
WHEREAS it is the responsibility of the governor and his commissioner of Agriculture to review how proposed international trade agreements will potentially benefit or harm CO Agriculture producers.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that CLUB 20 shall support only those international trade agreements that protect U.S. interests by not allowing foreign interests to challenge U.S. sovereignty within U.S. trade markets; and
THEREFFORE BE IT RESOLVED that CLUB 20 urges the governor and the Commissioner of Agriculture to be actively involved in promoting and defending CO Agriculture interests in International Trade negotiations and engage CO Agriculture organizations in developing a strategy to this end.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that CLUB 20 urges the U.S. government to act quickly to correct any imbalances of trade parameters within any existing international trade agreements, and shall urge Congress to approve only those proposed trade agreements that meet the above standards.
Adopted 4/1/05
Amended 3/30/2012
Amended 9/8/2017