Montana Senator Baucus to Lead Montana Farmers, Businesses on Colombia, Brazil Trade Mission as Part of Jobs Agenda

Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus http://baucus.senate.gov/
today announced he will bring a group of Montana farmers and businesses to Colombia and Brazil to meet with local business leaders and top government officials to explore new opportunities for exporting Montana-made products. The trade mission, scheduled for the week of February 20, is part of Baucus’ job-creation agenda and plan to provide Montana ranchers, farmers and businesses with the tools and connections they need to hire new workers.

"Helping Montana businesses create good-paying jobs is my number one priority, and I’m going to approach that goal from every angle and with every resource I have. Increasing trade opportunities for Montana ranchers, farmers and businesses should be a key part of any job-creation strategy. Opening new markets for Montana goods and services means increased demand for Montana products, and increased demand for Montana products supports good-paying Montana jobs – that’s what this trip is all about," Baucus said. "Montanans make the best products in the world, and they also make the best ambassadors. So I’m bringing Montana farmers and business owners down to Colombia and Brazil, so folks in these important markets can see for themselves all our great state has to offer."

Baucus plans to host of a group of representatives from Montana wheat and barley, pea and lentil and seed potato producers on the trip. Colombia is one of South America’s top markets for American wheat and holds great potential for other Montana crops.

Baucus is also planning to bring Montana businesses leaders from a broad range of industries, including energy, manufacturing, communications and aviation. Colombia and Brazil represent large potential markets for these Montana industries to sell their goods and services.

During the trip, Baucus will also meet with senior government officials in Colombia to discuss the pending free trade agreement, which will support American jobs by making it easier to sell American products there. Since the President has not yet submitted the agreement to Congress for approval, American farmers and businesses have difficulty competing with businesses from other countries that have free trade agreements with Colombia. In addition, Colombian businesses can already sell their products in the United States without paying import taxes under U.S. trade preference programs. The U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement would level the playing field and give American businesses the same tax-free access to sell their goods in Colombia.

In Brazil, Baucus will focus on building partnerships for Montana business. He will also meet with top government officials to discuss ways to strengthen trade relations between Montana and Brazil, which is now the eighth largest economy in the world.

As chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, with sole jurisdiction over international trade, Baucus has continuously fought to open new markets for Montana ranchers, farmers, manufacturers and small businesses to sell their world-class products.

During his 2010 Economic Development Summit, Baucus brought ambassadors from China, Chile, Ireland, Japan and New Zealand to Montana to tour the state and develop relationships with Montana businesses. As a result, each country announced specific new partnerships with Montana, including a $10,000 grant from Ireland to an Irish history program at the University of Montana, and a new partnership between Montana beef producers and Chilean wine makers.

Baucus also visited China last year to explore new opportunities for Montana and bolster his long-standing fight to open the Chinese market to Montana beef. This year Baucus is bringing top level trade meetings, known as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Trade Ministers’ meetings, to Big Sky to discuss ways to deepen Montana’s trade and economic relationships with some of the largest economies in the world.

Contact: Kate Downen (406) 224-5056/Jennifer Donohue (202) 224-2651 (Baucus)