Indy Standard

U.S. Senator Todd Young, representing Indiana, has spearheaded a bipartisan and bicameral effort to address potential challenges facing American corn exports to Colombia. In a letter directed to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, concerns were raised about the Colombian government's possible investigation into U.S. corn subsidies.

The initiative is supported by Senator Michael Bennet from Colorado and Representatives Adrian Smith of Nebraska and Dan Kildee of Michigan, among others. The correspondence warns that such an investigation could lead to countervailing measures on U.S. corn imports, posing risks to American farmers' competitiveness in a crucial export market.

"Maintaining market access is critical to the interests of American farmers as Colombia consistently ranks among the top five export markets for U.S. corn year over year," stated the senators in their communication.

In 2023 alone, the United States exported over four million metric tons of corn to Colombia, valued at $1.14 billion. With Mexico's market already under threat, losing access to Colombia would be detrimental for American farmers.

The letter further emphasizes that any restrictive trade actions by Colombia could result in feed shortages for its livestock and poultry sectors, leading to increased food prices domestically.

"We urge you to raise these concerns with Colombian officials and ensure full alignment under our trade agreement," concluded the senators.

The letter was endorsed by several other legislators including Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Thune (R-S.D.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas). It also included Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Jimmy Panetta (D-19-CA), Sam Graves (R-6-IL), Sharice Davids (D-3-KS), Mike Flood (R-1-NE), Greg Landsman (D-1-OH), Don Bacon (R-2-NE), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-1-IA), Mary Miller (R-15-IL), Brad Finstad(R -1-MN ), Jodey Arrington(R -19-TX ), Greg Pence(R -6-IN ), Jim Baird(R -4-IN ), Jim Banks(R -3-IN ), Mark Alford(R -4-MO ), Darin LaHood(R -16 IL ) Randy Feenstra(R -4 IA ) Claudia Tenney( R 24 NY) Brad Wenstrup( R 2 OH) John Moolenaar( R 2 MI) Rudy Yakym( R 2 IN) Erin Houchin( R 9 IN).