Press Releases

WASHINGTON—The White House and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer signed a formal agreement with the European Union today allowing the bloc to receive more American beef exports. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) released a statement following the signing event at the White House.

“Today’s announcement is a great step toward more free and fair trade for our ag producers,” said Rep. Ron Estes. “Agriculture is such an integral part of our state’s economy, and this bilateral agreement provides an exceptional opportunity to sell more Kansas beef in the European Union. I applaud Trade Representative Lighthizer and the administration for this win for Kansas farmers and ranchers and encourage my colleagues in Congress to join with me in fighting for open markets.”

Australia, Argentina and Uruguay have ceded some of their European Union beef quota exports, allowing the United States to provide about 80% of the market’s hormone-free beef over seven years. Throughout the agreement, annual duty-free U.S. beef exports to the European Union are expected to nearly triple from $150 million to $420 million.

Ron Estes is a 5th generation Kansan and represents Kansas’ 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves on the House Committee on Ways and Mean