U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai spoke to state agriculture officials across the country Tuesday during the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Hybrid Annual Meeting.

“Farmers are always planning for the future and that’s what we have to do together,” said Tai in a pre-recorded conversation with NASDA member Derek Sandison, Washington State Director of Agriculture. “I want to ensure that farmers and agriculture workers have a voice in USTR’s work and I want to hear from them directly.”

Sandison asked Tai about a number of trade issues important to state agriculture officials, including China, biotechnology provisions in Mexico, dairy issues with Canada, expanding market opportunities for agriculture, shipping container shortages, and trade promotion authority.